Karen Palmer volunteers for Junior Achievement.
She was born in Winchester and graduated from Winneconne High School. Palmer began working for Wisconsin Public Service in Oshkosh, transferring in 1970 to Green Bay, where she was the public safety consultant. At WPS she taught gas and electric safety education to students, first responders, contractors, excavators, firemen and policemen throughout northeast Wisconsin.
Palmer earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics and a master’s degree in business education from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. While employed at WPS, Palmer and her husband of 39 years, Steve, owned and operated Palmer’s Quality Bake Shop from 1978-1990. Palmer and other Shawano leaders started the Main Street program, which became the Business Improvement District board, for which she was the secretary in 1982. At age 61, she retired.
The Palmers live in the town of Wescott, where she is a flower, herb and vegetable gardener. The couple enjoys outdoor activities such as biking and canoeing.
Q Where do you volunteer?
A “I volunteered for Junior Achievement in Brown County for 10 years. I volunteered my services in Shawano, and they asked me to be on the board. This is my fourth year in Shawano. I’m in charge of the raffle committee for the Taste of Shawano that is on March 31. I talk to civic organizations and promote awareness of programs and how they can help. I’m also on the Business Challenge Committee, where the kids compete for scholarships. I do classroom presentations at the middle school and have previously been at the high school. Each grade has a different curriculum. It’s course material that isn’t covered in school. The goals of JA are entrepreneurship, financial literacy and workplace ready. I hope to work with Dennis Heling on an afterschool program on how to be an entrepreneur. I started a speakers bureau. In Brown County, I volunteered for United Way for 10 years and ran the in-house campaign and was an eight-week loaned executive by my employer to help with the Brown County campaign. I volunteered for the Main Street program on Broadway in Green Bay for 10 years.”
Q How is it financed by JA?
A “It cost $25 per student for the materials. Taste of Shawano is our number one fundraiser. I go to businesses in January to solicit support. This year, we have 25 food vendors and 11 nonprofit organizations. The last three years, I’ve sold winning raffle tickets. I enhanced the whole raffle thing from Brown County when I was there and I got a lot of background experience and saw all their stuff. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “For me, it’s a way to give back to the community. It’s important for people to know as you give so you receive. It’s fulfilling. Time, talent and opportunities can help.”
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