Written by Jonette N. Arms
The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin works with adults who are 60-plus years or 18–59 years and living with a disability. The ADRC-CW’s mission is focused on promoting choice and independence through personalized education, advocacy, and access to services that prevent, delay, and lessen the impacts of aging and disabilities in the lives of adults.
Aligned with its mission, the ADRC-CW believes in being proactive to help keep older adults, adults with disabilities, and the entire community safe and healthy. Therefore, during the month of July, we launched a “Wear a Mask” contest and campaign. What better way to include advocacy in our work than to encourage and collaborate with residents throughout the ADRC-CW region (Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, and Wood Counties) to promote wearing masks. Our goal was to support the region’s most vulnerable populations in reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Twenty-one contestants submitted photos and/or slogans. After much contemplation, we decided to make everyone a winner. Each contestant set a positive example and represented what wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic means to the entire region’s safety and well-being. Accordingly, all 21 contestants who sent in a picture and slogan were featured on a billboard located within the county in which he or she lived.
Also for each contestant’s support, along with having their picture posted on a billboard, they received a prepaid $100 VISA gift card (purchased with a generous donation from a private funder) and a gift bag with a certificate of appreciation, a mask featuring the ADRC-CW logo, and other practical keepsakes.
Selected billboard slogans we chose included:
- Join Us for the “Mask”erade
- Masks: Not Just for Halloween
- Pandemic Push-back
- Taking Care of US and You
- Make a Difference, Wear a Mask
(Some slogans were modified due to their length and our ability to use certain content.)
The ADRC-CW collaborated with LAMAR Advertising to develop the billboards which could be seen:
August 10 – September 6, 2020
- Langlade: Hwy 45 South of County Road N
- Lincoln: Hwy 51 North of County Road H
- Marathon: I-39 North of Kowalski Road by the Cedar Creek area
August 17 – September 13, 2020
- Wood: Central Avenue North of 9th Street in downtown Marshfield
- Wood: Hwy 54 East of Baker Street in WI Rapids
Congratulations to our winners (i.e., everyone who participated!) and all our partners who helped to get the word out. We are grateful for your support of the ADRC-CW and our communities. Please continue to be an example by wearing a mask while in public and helping to communicate how to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
If anyone knows of adults who are aged 60 years plus or adults living with disabilities who are 18–59 years in need of a mask, please have them call us at 1-888-486-9545 or email us at adrc@adrc-cw.org with their request.
The ADRC-CW serves residents living in Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, and Wood Counties. Although our offices are not yet open for in-person visits, we are continuing to take calls and provide services to our targeted populations.
Jonette N. Arms
Executive Director | Aging & Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin
Jonette N. Arms is the Executive Director of the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin, where she has worked since 2018. Prior to settling in Marathon County, she was the interim Executive Director for the Milwaukee County Department on Aging. Jonette has worked in aging and disability services for 17 years, with 13 of those years being in leadership roles consecutively since 2007. She has a double major Bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration and Management Communication and a Master’s degree in Human Services. She is passionate about her work with adults who are aging and living with disabilities and loves the beauty and welcoming feeling of Central Wisconsin, but often travels back down to Milwaukee to caretake for her aging parents and visit with her adult son and daughter and the pride of her heart, her grandson, Caidence. Email Jonette N. Arms.
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