Legacy stories
Did you know the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region was created in 1986 with $5,000 Walter L. Rugland received as part of the first “Community Service Award” presented by Aid Association for Lutherans now known as Thrivent? With this award, Walter wanted to pursue his dream of a “catalyst for change” working across […]
Photo above: Fox Valley Literacy The David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region (Nelson Family Fund) awarded 22 grants totaling over $2,500,000, giving nonprofits and local municipalities a much-needed financial boost. The Nelsons, who lived in De Pere, made provisions during their lifetimes for a […]
When Helen and William Burger passed away, they left a legacy gift they hoped would make a difference in the Town and City of Neenah. Their field of interest endowment fund has recently supported the Voting for a Change exhibit, bringing the history of the 19th Amendment to life at the Neenah Historical Society; Neenah […]
Mame Heaney of Neenah at the Community Foundation with our receptionist, Betty Van Den Broek. Mame is a fourth-generation member of a family who has been philanthropic in the Fox Cities for many years. By Mame Heaney, Neenah As a past board member, volunteer and one of the Members of the Community Foundation for the […]
When it comes to planning your legacy, have you had “the talk” yet? For Rick and Sue Detienne, it’s been about 15 years, and they’re still talking. The Appleton couple met while attending Lawrence University. Rick worked for Laminations and retired 11 years ago. The two began considering ways they could bless their community today […]
Mary Lamers Grist passed away in August. She was part of the Community Foundation’s Himebaugh Legacy Circle, recognizing those who have made future plans for their favorite charitable causes through a bequest or similar deferred gift to the Foundation. For 91 years, Mary Lamers Grist poured her love for making an impact into the Fox […]
The Durkee family: Top: Jane, June, Nancy, Todd (Nancy’s husband). Bottom: Ray and Mary. Like many of us, Mary Durkee is watching the world change and adapting to a new way of doing things. She probably won’t be taking her annual trip to Europe with her three daughters this fall. Instead, she might take walks […]
Larry Sawyer and Debra McDowall have high hopes that the Fox Valley remains strong and vibrant, especially for the next generation. “We do feel we owe our community a debt of gratitude, as it has been so kind to us,” says Larry, who married Debra 40 years ago. The retirees live in Grand Chute and […]
Lori K. Dehlinger Van Alstine sees lightbulbs. Not the physical kind, but the lightbulbs of realization she enjoys seeing in children and grownups who discover something new for the first time. “Literacy along with mentoring and tutoring programs have always been important to me,” says Lori. That’s one reason she has decided to set up […]
Cindy Wyngaard loves the outdoors so much, she can’t imagine sitting idle! “I’m not a knitter, a quilter or a reader. I can’t sit still that long! I’d rather be outside doing anything, especially in, on or near water,” says Cindy, who lives in Kaukauna. A few years ago, the Kimberly-Clark retiree shared with friends […]
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