The decision to cancel the event benefiting the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center was made after a review of the state’s COVID-19 plan, discussions with local officials, and consultation with Willy Street Co-op, which is the presenting sponsor. Fete de Marquette is Wil-Mar’s largest fundraiser and has raised over $1.2 million since inception 15 years ago. The money helps support several life-building programs including emergency food services, after school and summer camps for kids, teen employment, meals and fitness services for seniors, and subsidization of mental health services.
“We are committed to making sure we’re able to take care of the people we serve during this pandemic so we’re going to have to rely on community support in other forms,” said Gary Kallas, Executive Director of the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center. “We’ll once more launch an online giving campaign, and we hope that the people who would buy a raffle ticket or spin the wheel or buy a drink at Fete will continue to show their support as they did in 2020. The people we serve rely on it.” As it did last year, Willy Street Co-op has pledged to once again repurpose money it would have used to sponsor this event to instead help support the giving campaign. The Willy Street Co-op anchored its annual membership meeting and became Fete’s presenting sponsor in 2008 and according to Kallas, the event’s stock has risen annually since then. “Fete has become Madison’s premier summer festival and the single largest reason is the generous support Wil-Mar receives from the Willy Street Co-op! On behalf of the tens of thousands who have attended and been enthralled with its purpose and energy, we extend our heartfelt appreciation!
The Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center facility is currently closed with the exception of offering the following essential services Wednesday’s Food Pantry, Saturday’s Meal Program and daily virtual learning child care for elementary children.
Willy Street Co-op’s annual meeting of Owners, which has taken place at the music festival for a decade before the pandemic, will once again be held virtually. “We decided that it was not yet safe to host an in-person event like our annual party,” said Co-op Board president Jeannine Bindl. “The Board is working on finding ways to celebrate our Owners safely in 2021.”
