ComMUnity Care Project

The MU Community Care Program was established in 2024 to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Marshfield Utilities.
Throughout the year MU will complete 120 acts to give back to the Marshfield community.

The Beginning

In the early 1880s, Marshfield had a population of over 2,000 and the area’s economy centered on the lumber industry. W.H. Upham was the owner of the local lumber company, furniture factory, and veneer works. In 1885, Mr. Upham installed the first generator of electricity in the area to provide illumination for the furniture factory and some street intersections. At 5:10 pm on December 30, 1885, a large audience gathered to watch Mr. Upham pull the switch, and the first light illuminated. It was a breathtaking festive event; a celebration with food, music, and dancing followed to commemorate the occasion. The local paper best captured the significance of this moment with the headline: “And God Said, ‘Let There be light and there was light in Marshfield.’”

In June of 1887, a locomotive spark started a fire blaze at noon in the lumber yard of the Upham Furniture Factory. By that evening, the fire had swept across the entire town of Marshfield leaving 2,000 people homeless. After the fire, the people of Marshfield vowed to rebuild and they did.

In the early 1890s, Mr. Upham asked for and received, a franchise from the city to build and maintain a waterworks system. Mr. Upham wanted to construct a water system that would provide fire protection for his various businesses and serve the city. The waterworks supply was built in a spring area now known as Wildwood Park. The electrical utility relocated from its original home in the Upham mill yard to an entirely new power plant at the park.

By late 1903, the City Aldermen were not satisfied with the utility. Power failures were frequent. The water supply was compared to the color of mud, and the rigors of old-fashioned Wisconsin winters sometimes froze the water mains. The water mains were not always thawed out as quickly as customers felt they should be. To address the concerns, Mr. Upham proposed to the Aldermen that a committee be appointed to consider the feasibility of purchasing the Marshfield Water, Electric, Light, and Power Company. On March 1, 1904, the Common Council approved a decision to buy the privately-owned utility as recommended by the committee.

It began as a privately-owned company and became a public utility that still operates today, serving the greater Marshfield area.

120 Ways of Giving Back To The Community

A gift for the first Marshfield baby of 2024

Treats for Marshfield Streets Department

Pens for CEMA workshop

Professional attire clothing drive

Skate night sponsor at Melody Gardens

Fourth grade science circuit project kits donated

Ronald McDonald house donation

Packed United Way N.O.W. lunches with Absolute Chiropractic

Donation to Pickleball Complex at Braem Park

Raffle donation to Empty Bowls Fundraiser

Volunteers for Xtreme Xploration

Donation to Cattails Place

Hannah Center Donation

Nutrition On Weekends Packing

Random Acts of Kindness Gift Certificates Giveaway

United We Can Sculpture

Hosted MAHRA Meeting with Guest Speaker Ted Melby

Hosted MEUW Underground Locating Training

Presentation to MSTC Electrician Students about Line Worker Duties

Snacks for C2 Makerspace Robotics Team Completion

High School Career Expo

8th Grade Reality Store Volunteers

Donation of Tree Sapling for Everett Roehl Marshfield Public Library Story Time

Volunteers for Spring Drug Sort Disposal

National Pet Day MACCI Gift Certificate Drawing

Community Volunteer: Erick Boon, Exalted Ruler, Marshfield Elks Lodge #665

Community Volunteer: Nathan Barth, Referee Assignor, MYSA

Community Volunteer: Melissa Barnes, Board President, Marshfield Area United Way

Community Volunteer: Jessica Lewer, Marketing Committee Chair, C2 Makerspace

Community Volunteer: Nicolas Kumm, Board Member, Marshfield Community Foundation & American Legion Post 54 Baseball

Pathway Partners Job Shadow

Senior Bingo Sponsor

Drinking Water Week Story Time

Provided Local Snacks for MEUW Annual Conference

Gifts for High School Graduates at MHS & Columbus

Raffle Basket Donated to MAPS

Donation to Personal Development Center

Volunteers Hanging Veterans Banners

Water Bottles for 6th Grade Track & Field Day

United Way Community Baby Shower Donation

Business Appreciation Brat Fry

Hosted Chop Saw Training for MU Staff, City of Marshfield, and City of Medford

1800+ Freeze pops for Marshfield Elementary Schools End of School Year

2024 Community Stock The Pantry Challenge

Be Kind & Win Swim Pass Giveaway

Snack for Marshfield Police Department

Tote Bags for Memory Lane Farm Foster Camp

Downtown Clean Up Volunteers

Three Youth Apprenticeships

Bulb & Battery Recycling Event

Pool Pass Hunt Giveaway

Freeze Pops for National Give Something Away Day

Snack for Marshfield Fire & Rescue

Donation to Wood County Social Services

Hosted Focus On Energy Award Presentation