Bethesda Continues its Mission of Helping People with Disabilities
A Lutheran pastor started Bethesda Lutheran Communities more than 100 years ago after a father reached out to his church to get support for his two children with special needs after his wife died. Lutheran congregations and people with children in group homes began opening Bethesda Thrift Shops all across the nation. Today, the agency […]
RSVP Tutors Making a Difference in Chilton Schools, Community
When Alice Ruhland retired from the Piggly Wiggly in Kaukauna five years ago, she started looking for something to do. Today, she tutors kindergartners in reading at Chilton Elementary School on Thursdays. “I really like it,” she said. “It’s a good reason for me to get going. I love the kids – they are like […]
Sometimes, it’s the Little Things in Life that Make a Big Difference
David Hinds knows that even the simplest things in life can mean a lot to a 10 year-old boy from a single-parent home. He said CJ, his young mentee, loves to have dinner with Hinds and his wife and take their salt and pepper schnauzer, Holly, for a walk. “Sometimes it’s the dog walking him!” Hinds […]
RSVP Volunteer Keeps Vans Rolling for Veterans
At 81, RSVP member Cal Gardner is still driving – every day. He drives a shuttle at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center and the Housing Authority and recently began driving the Fox Valley Warming Shelter van, transporting the agency’s clients to downtown Appleton and other important destinations. And since the first of the year, he has […]
Volunteerism is Passed Down Through Generations
Volunteering is a family affair for Kathy Salm, who serves as board president and volunteer donation coordinator for the Center for Suicide Awareness. Her husband, Bob, is the emcee for the agency’s annual suicide awareness walk. Her daughter, Karen, posts items on the agency’s social media sites and Karen’s husband, Justin, designed and maintains the […]
Agency Aims to Bring Awareness to Suicide
One person dies by suicide every 13 minutes in the United States, according to Barb Bigalke, founder and executive director of the Center for Suicide Awareness. She also points out: Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24, just after traffic accidents. Twenty-two U.S. veterans die every day by […]
Adult Tutor Provides Community Connection
Helping Latinos who are struggling with communication is one of Tom Stenklyft’s passions. The process brings him back to his roots. His grandparents emigrated from Sweden and in her later years as a widow, his grandmother lived with his family. He recalls her broken English and the difficulty she had with pronouncing the letter “j.” […]
RSVP Volunteer is ‘Making The Ride Happen’ around the Fox Valley
Doris Peters doesn’t like to sit home, so on the third Thursday of each month she serves her community by giving folks a ride in her gray 2007 Buick. The 84-year-old Kimberly resident is a volunteer driver for Making The Ride Happen (MRH), a transportation, information and assistance program of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin […]
Habitat for Humanity on track to build 17 homes in the Fox Cities
When Jodi Isom joined the Greater Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity as volunteer services manager in 2000, the agency was building two to three newly-constructed homes a year. This year, they are on track to build 17 homes, three of which are older structures that will be rehabilitated in conjunction with the agency’s home buyer […]
Nominate for the Youth Alliance Awards Today!
Now is your chance to nominate a deserving young member of your community! The 24th Annual Youth Alliance Awards ceremony will take place on Friday, April 28, at Liberty Hall in Kimberly. All individuals and organizations throughout the Fox Valley are encouraged to nominate youth individuals and youth groups who have demonstrated a commitment to […]
