Your Community Foundation » Testimonials

"We have partnered with the Community Foundation since 1995, when we established a fund for graduating seniors in the performing arts from Antigo High School.

Since then, we have discovered the benefits of maintaining a donor advised fund, working with the Foundation to administer our Community Aquatic Center Fund, and most recently in establishing the Antigo Community Foundation Fund. Through the Foundation we can support causes that are important to us while taking advantage of the tax benefits offered in working with an established dependable 501(c)(3) organization."

John & Elsa McKenna
Retired Physician Community Leaders

"A community need suddenly emerges – dollars are needed to help keep the train in Marathon Park or it will be sold – and a request comes to the attention of the Community Foundation. The proposal is reviewed and recommended by the Distributions Committee to the board of directors and is immediately funded from a Named Unrestricted Fund.

I firmly believe in Named Unrestricted Funds because they allow the widest variety of response within basic funding guidelines. More importantly, Named Funds allow loved ones to be remembered every time a grant is given in their name. Our 'Marvin & Ruth (Rudie) Schuette Fund' will long provide funds and lasting memories.

Consider it!"

Ruth Schuette
Philanthropist, Community Leader, and Entrepreneur

"I believe the viability of a community starts with a strong educational system, vibrant arts community, and healthy recreational opportunities. I support the Community Foundation because they are truly making a difference in those areas within the greater Wausau area, and I am confident that my donation is hard at work."

Arzelee Drown
Retired High School English Teacher

"Being personally involved in the Community Foundation as members of the Society of Founders is a pleasure and a privilege, as well as an expression of our gratitude for everything that living here means to us. Participating in the Foundation has made us aware of needs in the greater Wausau area, and we have faith in the board and staff's ability to identify them and take appropriate action."

Fred Lundin & Patti Kay
Certified Public Accountant Owner of The Wright Place on 6th

"Once we learned of the services that the Community Foundation had to offer, it made our decision to include it as a part of our estate plans easy. We've outlined our wishes to include scholarships and land preservation because education and the natural resources, which are a vital part of this community, are also important to us. We feel good knowing that commitment will continue after we're gone."

Kerry & Cheryl Brimmer
Weights and Measures Inspector / Teacher

"Our first Community Foundation were for the revitalization of the ArtsBlock. As we learned more about the Foundation, we discovered the importance of also supporting the Wausau•Marathon County Fund. As downtown business owners, we know the value of a hard-earned dollar and appreciate the investment the Foundation makes back into the community in the form of grants for projects that make Wausau and the surrounding area a great place to live."

Joe & Mary Pepowski
Owners of The Mint Cafe

Robert K. (Robbie) Maahs
(March 31, 2002 - June 26, 2004) Caroline, Sophie, Lisa, Henry and Christopher Maahs

Turning Grief into Possibilities

"When we lost our son Robbie at age two, our community wrapped its arms around us. The Community Foundation was there when we needed help finding a way to honor him. We created the Robbie Maahs Memorial Fund to be used for children who want to participate in the many wonderful opportunities Wausau offers. We know that many families can't afford camps and classes, and this was our way to help.

Robbie was a very busy child who had an early love of sports. We wanted to gear most of our giving in that spirit. Each year we host a memorial golf outing to raise money for the fund.

Some of the recipients of the money raised in Robbie's memory are the Woodson YMCA, Wausau School District, Boys and Girls Club, and Ronald McDonald House of Marshfield. The Community Foundation has been instrumental in quickly disbursing our donation requests and getting money to the children in need. We are proud to be part of such a special organization."

Chris & Lisa Maahs

Bob & Elie Reid
(Photo by Amy Evenson)

Couple Embraces Wausau with Leadership Gift

In the fall of 2007, Elie Reid called our office asking how she and her husband, Bob, could become part of our Society of Founders. We explained that donors who contribute $10,000 or more to the Wausau·Marathon County Fund become part of this special group. We received their donation within a week.

Having moved to Wausau in 2003, Bob still considers themselves to be "newbies" to the community. Even so, it hasn't taken long for the couple to become involved in various organizations, or for Wausau to earn a special place in their hearts. "We give to the Foundation because we love Wausau and wish to give back to the community," Elie commented. "The Wausau·Marathon County Fund is a good way for us to do that."

In recognition of their leadership gift, they received a crystal pyramid during the Community Foundation's Donor Appreciation Picnic in August. Also honored for their support and commitment were River Valley Bank, Dwight and Linda Davis, the Juedes-Molinaro Family Foundation, Jim and Susan Lundberg, Charles and Ginger Alden, the Dudley Foundation, Paul and Debbie Gassner, and Frederick and Linda Prehn.

Editor's note: Elie passed away on January 29, 2009. We are profoundly grateful for the difference she made in our community during her short time with us. Elie's stewardship toward others, love of the arts, and consistently positive attitude will be greatly missed.

Bob & Laura Gall

Contributing to the Community Foundation "Just Feels Right"

"Just as you might make improvements to your home, the Community Foundation makes improvements to the community. Other causes we donate to focus more on direct needs. We like the idea of not only meeting the immediate needs of the community, but also making improvements along the way and planning for future needs.

Diversifying our contributions among several organizations within the Community Foundation just feels right, and they take care and pride in making decisions so that funds are distributed fairly.

That's the heart of Wausau."

Bob & Laura Gall

Sandra & Louis Pradt

Good Through and Through

Louis Pradt has been involved with the Community Foundation on nearly every level. He has applied for and received a grant for the Wausau Concert Band, served as a member of the Foundation's Beyond Pencils selection committee, and together with his wife, Sandy, has been a donor to several funds within the Foundation, including the Wausau∙Marathon County Fund.

"I have known the Community Foundation from the inside and the outside," Louis commented, "and it's been good on both sides! I also knew Wausau before the Community Foundation was established. It was a good place to live then, and with the Foundation's impact, it's an even better place now."

Todd Nicklaus and Ginger Alden,
River Valley Bank

"The Best Place to Invest in Our Community"

When River Valley Bank considered establishing a philanthropic fund in 2008, they turned to the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin. Bank president Todd Nicklaus, and vice president of community development Ginger Alden, are both members of the Community Foundation's board of directors.

"Being involved with the Foundation, we appreciate how conscientious the board and committees are with the contributions entrusted to them," Todd stated. "We feel it is absolutely the best place to invest in our community through the River Valley Bank Fund and we are already relying on it for a significant portion of our charitable giving."

Ginger added that the bank uses DonorCentral, the Community Foundation's online philanthropic tool, to make grant recommendations. "Using DonorCentral is very easy, safe, and convenient, and clearly saves staff time that would otherwise be spent on processing and paperwork."

Robert W. Monk

Interact with Nature

Bob Monk took advantage of the Charitable IRA rollover extension* to establish the Robert W. Monk Gardens Fund within the Community Foundation. "I have always felt that Wausau should have a community botanical garden, where people could enjoy and learn about nature," Bob explained. "The Charitable IRA extension gave me the opportunity to create a fund to meet the Gardens' priority needs, as determined by its board of directors. By using the money for charitable purposes, I avoided having to pay income or estate taxes on it. I am pleased that previous grants from the Community Foundation have supported development of the Gardens' original master plan and fencing to protect the plant life in the gardens. I hope others share our vision and contribute to the fund."

As members of our Legacy Society, Bob and his wife, Carol, have made provisions in their estate plans to provide further support for the project that bears Bob's name.

*The Charitable rollover extension allows seniors age 70½ and older to donate a portion of their individual retirement accounts to charity tax-free before December 31, 2009. To learn how you can benefit from the extension, please contact your professional advisor or the Community Foundation office.

Paul & Lorraine Simon

Honoring a Life Well-Lived

One of the most wonderful things about living a good life is the impact you have on others, often without even realizing it. That is the story of Paul Simon, who died in April 2008. As a husband, father, farmer, and owner of Carl's Food Lane and Liquor store in Merrill, his faith and unquestionable integrity touched countless lives.

Following his death, Lorraine—his wife of 60 years—and daughter Sherry met with their attorney Craig Nienow to discuss a way to keep Paul's memory alive in the Merrill community. He suggested working with the Community Foundation to set up a scholarship fund that will award two scholarships in Paul's name. One scholarship is for a student going into business; the other for a student with financial need.

"His priorities were his faith and family," Sherry said. "He believed in giving back to the Lord, his family, and his community. Because of his generosity and zest as a businessman, we established the Timeless Memorial Scholarship to be part of his legacy." Through the scholarships, the quiet impact Paul had on so many will continue.

Sarah Gehring

Bringing Her Education Home

When Harry K. Wrench, president of Wisconsin Fuel and Light died in 1994, his colleagues established a scholarship fund in his name. Scholarships are awarded to students from the Wausau and Manitowoc communities who demonstrate exceptional scholastic achievement, potential for success in their chosen field, leadership, community involvement, diversified interests, and a well-rounded personality.

Sarah Gehring is a three-time recipient of the scholarship. She graduated from Wausau West High School in 2004 and earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing from UW-Oshkosh in December of 2008.

"The scholarships played a big role in helping me meet my financial obligations while attending college, and I hope to make Wisconsin Fuel and Light and the Community Foundation proud of their investment in me," Sarah said. "I am excited about returning to Wausau to begin my nursing career at Aspirus, and look forward to being an active member of the community."

Elena & John Dzubay

"We established the John & Elena Dzubay Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2005, shortly after we lost our mother and father. We agreed that a scholarship would be the perfect way to honor their lifetime devotion to education as teachers in the Wausau School District. This year our dad would have celebrated his 100th birthday; what a fitting tribute that this fund will still be honoring our parents in another 100 years and beyond. We are proud to keep their memory alive in this way."

Sharon Dzubay, John Dzubay, Dale & Edith Dzubay, Shirley & Brian Shaw, Beverley & Steven Novitske

Erik & Abbe Tolzmann

"While planning our wedding, Erik and I wanted to add a charitable donation component to our gift registry. I immediately thought of honoring my hometown through the Community Foundation and the Wausau•Marathon County Fund because of the broad spectrum of organizations it funds. It feels good to know that others are now benefiting from what was such a wonderful time in our lives."

Abbe (Wolff) Tolzmann

"The Talent Shop has been an outlet for area senior citizens to keep active for nearly 40 years. It has provided a venue for approximately 160 seniors to sell their creative wares, thus providing them with an income source, as well as social opportunities. When administrative and financial support previously provided by Lutheran Social Services was about to be discontinued, we were very grateful to the Community Foundation for providing us with leadership and a generous grant that allowed us to restructure, reorganize, and keep our doors open for our vendors and customers."

Sharon Wagner, Manager
The Talent Shop

"We are grateful that a Beyond Crayons grant enabled us to purchase 12 tubano drums for our music program! Through the generosity of the Community Foundation, more than 350 students have had hands-on experience with the drums, helping to develop their listening, rhythm, and community-building skills."

Katie Peterson, Music Teacher
Rothschild and Easton Elementary Schools

"Learn, Lead, Succeed (LLS) and the Healthy Teens Initiative (HTI) represent a restructuring in the way the Boys & Girls Club offers programming to youth. Both LLS and HTI allow the Club to offer a continuum of services that engage them over a longer period of time and subsequently allow the Club to reach more kids at a deeper level. Ultimately, these programs will give our kids the skills and character necessary to become caring, productive community members. We are grateful to the Community Foundation for their support of these important programs."

Brian Stezenski-Williams, Executive Director
Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area

"The Center for the Visual Arts is painting a bright future with the help of our endowment fund. Foundations, corporations, and individuals have generously contributed to our endowment fund, which has been growing for 15 years. Although it has not eliminated the need for class fees and memberships, it enriches our programming in the classroom and the galleries."

Katie Crotteau, Executive Director
Center for the Visual Arts

"Doing the Healthy Community/Healthy Youth Initiative spots are a lot of fun and a great way to share good advice with the community. We provide powerful messages that can be told in just one minute, so many people can learn from them."

Courtney and Alexa

Sue Olson

After Sue Olson died unexpectedly in 2005, her family wanted to honor her life by establishing the Sue Olson Memorial Fund through the Community Foundation.

"Susie was creative, spontaneous, enthusiastic, generous, loving, and a master professional educator, serving 13 1/2 years in the Wausau schools. We are honored to fund requests for the Beyond Pencils and Crayons Grant Program, confident these unique experiences for students and teachers will reflect her personality, values, love of learning, and her lifelong commitment of giving more than expected."

Sue Olson's daughter Katie and husband Dan