United Way event raises $70,250 to support Milwaukee-area teens

United Way says only one in five Wisconsin students who need mental health support receives it. Friday's event aimed to change that.

The Details

• Updated: 10:23 PM CST Nov 13, 2026
• Editorial Standards ⓘ
• Kayland Hagwood
• Anchor/Reporter

United Way says only one in five Wisconsin students who need mental health support receives it. Friday's event aimed to change that.

• Updated: 10:23 PM CST Nov 13, 2026
• Editorial Standards ⓘ
• Kayland Hagwood
• Anchor/Reporter
• MILWAUKEE

Women gathered Friday night at the Saint Kate Hotel for Women United Spree, an annual fundraiser supporting teen mental wellness and women-owned businesses.

The event was hosted by

United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha Counties. Participating shop owners donated 10% of their proceeds, and money raised through an auction also went toward helping teens in need, said Amy Lindner, the organization’s president and CEO.

“It’s so powerful to see so many women who want to come and be part of a really fun night for a really great cause,” Lindner said.

The fundraiser supports United Way’s Teen Mental Wellness: Empowering Minds initiative. The organization aims to improve the mental wellness of 21,000 high school students by 2030. It works with schools to strengthen their mental health resources, including referral pathways and access to support.

"As a family physician, teen mental health is super, super important to me," Amy Miller, an event participant, said. "When I'm seeing patients in the clinic, I can influence one patient at a time. At an event like this, we can create the opportunities to support the masses.”

United Way says only one in five

Wisconsin students who need mental health support receives it. Lindner said community support can help address challenges that may feel too big for one person to take on alone.

“When we come together, when we work on things collectively, we absolutely can create big solutions to big problems in our community,” she said.

Women United Spree raised $70,250 for United Way’s work supporting teen mental wellness. To learn more about the initiative.

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