Category: Legacy stories

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 […]

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 […]

Barbara Mendyke’s foresight in saving for her retirement is going to benefit 10 of her favorite charities forever. The former Barbara Russell was an Appleton kindergarten teacher. She invested in a tax-sheltered annuity through WEAC, a statewide organization of teachers’ unions, to secure her retirement. But she decided that instead of spending the annuity money […]

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 […]

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 […]

Todd and Mary Raether want to encourage people to support their community through a fund at the Community Foundation, but they realize giving now is not a possibility for everyone. But for some, giving a gift through their estate may be achievable. The Raethers have arranged for a gift from their estate to support the […]

We’re preparing to share some exciting news tomorrow! During a news conference May 1, we’ll be announcing the largest gift in our 32-year history. You can watch it live at 9:30 a.m. on our Facebook page. While we can’t share details about the gift or the donors until tomorrow, we can tell you that the […]

During this week designated to celebrating philanthropy, the Fox Valley is saying good-bye to one of its most remarkable philanthropists. Doug Salmon and his wife, Carla, have invested heavily in scholarships for students with financial need — particularly single parents, first-generation college students and others with significant barriers to completing their education. Their Doug and Carla […]

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 […]

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 […]

John and Sally Mielke have impacted countless lives through their careers and philanthropy across healthcare, education, and early childhood. While it has been almost four years since the passing of Dr. John Mielke, we do not have to look far to see his legacy at work throughout the community. His good work is in the […]

Awarding annual scholarships for non-traditional students at Fox Valley Technical College pursuing careers in the culinary arts is just one way Donita Gross is honoring her late husband. Donita Gross’ membership in our Himebaugh Legacy Circle has turned out to be a great way to honor her late husband, Roy. “Roy was a very gentle, […]