Robert D. Nueske Wittenberg Community Service Award

Editor’s note: This is the second article in a series of five profiling winners of the Celebration of Giving awards presented annually by Shawano Area Community Foundation Inc. for outstanding volunteerism. The winners will be honored at a gala April 11 at the Gathering.

Community organizer Laura Magee, of Wittenberg, is the recipient of the 2017 Wittenberg Community Service Award, one of five awards honoring volunteerism presented annually by the Shawano Area Community Foundation as part of its Celebration of Giving.

The Wittenberg award is sponsored by Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats. It recognizes a group or individual in the Wittenberg area that exhibits dedication and enthusiasm through diversified volunteer work. The work performed has positive impact by improving the quality of life and meeting the needs of the community.

Magee uses her organizational skills to benefit the local community, usually focusing on local schools and the EMT unit of the Wittenberg Ambulance Department.

She is perhaps best known as the organizer of Grapple on the Gridiron — a night of wrestling under the lights of the Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School football field.

“I thought it would be just our local kids and that it would be fun,” Magee said. “Once it hit Facebook, area teams and coaches started signing up.”

Her team raises funds, provides marketing support and works the event. Approximately 100 volunteers, 2,500 attendees and 410 wrestlers participated in 2016. Wrestlers came from all over the Midwest. The youngest competitor was 4 years old; the oldest was 56.

The event has bolstered the local economy, filling hotels and campgrounds in the surrounding areas. A group from Elkhorn plans their vacation around the event.

Magee was nominated for the award by local residents Tammy Potrykus, David Yaeger and Kelly Kapitz.

Grapple on the Gridiron “is truly a great event with great results,” Yaeger noted in the nomination. “Laura and her team deserve this recognition.”

Magee jokes it’s probably OCD and not her organizational skills that helps her manage such a large event. She was the office manager at a local dental office for many years. Also, her son Jayden had medical issues and she needed to keep on top of all the insurance issues. All this helped her to develop the “transferable skills” needed to handle the Grapple on the Gridiron.
A few years ago, Magee’s other son, Griffen, had seen a posting for a similar event in southern Illinois and wanted her to take him and some wrestling buddies. Magee said that was too far to go and decided to put on the same kind of event locally.

The first Grapple on the Gridiron, in 2015, raised over $15,000. Last year’s event brought in $17,500. Magee’s goal for this year’s event, on July 29, is $20,000.

The money raised supports the youth wrestling program, equipment for the weight room, new uniforms, gear bags and other expenses not covered in the school budget. This year’s event also will fund two scholarships.

The profits also have helped fund new scoreboards, an automated external defibrillator and senior recognition banners. Plans are in the works with Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District Superintendent Garrett Rogowski to do an Athlete Wall of Fame and Wall of Valor at the high school. Funds have also supported the Darwin E Smith Community Fitness Center.

In addition, the event has collected over 150 pounds of food for the local food pantry.

“I love Grapple because it brings great attention to a lesser known sport,” Magee said. “In reference to our school and to our communities, I saw people in attendance that have no wrestling ties or knowledge of the sport. … They came for the fun and to support this family event.”

Magee’s hand-picked committee includes wrestling enthusiasts Andy and Stacy Delforge, Tony and Melissa Gauderman, Phil and Chanda Kersten, Dennis Magee, Troy Ostrowski, Duane Potrykus, Dan and Julie Stewart, Michelle Zoromski and Shannon Seegmiller.