Leadership wagers ‘pie in the face’ for battle of the clinics food drive in Southeast Wisconsin

12/18/20 11:34:am

To increase participation for their food drive this year for local charities, the Silver Lake employee engagement committee in Oconomowoc decided to challenge the Brown Deer and West Allis outpatient clinics to a contest.

Whichever site raised the most donations won a prize, while leadership at the clinic in last place won a pie in the face.

“When I proposed it to West Allis and Brown Deer leadership, they quickly got on board and became rather competitive,” says Kristin Wendlandt, manager of operations, Silver Lake Outpatient Center. “As leaders, it’s a fun way to engage our teams and give back to our communities that are in need more than ever.”

Kristin hoped that the three clinics would donate 1,000 items this year, but never imagined that they would actually exceed that goal by collecting more than 2,000 non-perishable items for local food pantries.

The team in Brown Deer donated 741 items to Family Sharing of Ozaukee County, earning themselves first place. West Allis came in second place with 673 items donated to Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiatives and 2nd Harvest, and the Oconomowoc team came in third with 618 items for the Oconomowoc Food Pantry.

“I’m grateful that the pandemic has brought these three clinics closer,” Kristin says. “Collaborating more often and sharing ideas, resources, staff, and providing support. This was a fun and friendly competition that will hopefully continue for years to come.”

In addition to the winning team earning a prize for their efforts, the Brown Deer team also earned the ‘honor’ of delivering pies in the face to both Kristin and Amanda Vogt, executive director of residential services and Silver Lake.

“Despite being on the losing team, Oconomowoc’s Silver Lake clinics more than doubled our donation from last year,” Kristin adds. “And knowing what a huge impact we made on our communities, I will proudly take a pie—bring it on!”