My coworker Rosie Sprangers and I recently attended an emotional presentation of iPads to eight amazing students from the Kaukauna Area School District. Why was it so special? The students have cognitive or developmental disabilities, and iPads help them communicate more effectively at school and home.

The students who received the iPads were chosen from an application process that we helped Corey and Kristy Stumpf develop after they created the Corey and Kristy Stumpf Tech for Kids Fund within the Community Foundation last November. It started with Kristy’s vision to provide technology assistance to children with cognitive or developmental disabilities. The Stumpf family had an extra iPad they wanted to donate, so Kristy contacted our office for assistance. A member of our staff connected Kristy with a student who had a need. Kristy and Corey hand-delivered the iPad to the student, who later sent a note saying, “Thank you for helping me talk.”

It was such a moving experience that Kristy and Corey wanted to continue to help children in need who could benefit from the use of technology. So the charitable fund with us, in their name, was born to help them continue to make a difference in the lives of children.

The recent presentation of the eight iPads made such an impact with those who received them that it moved Kristy and Randy Hughes, director of Special Education and Pupil Services for the Kaukauna School District, to tears. Kristy and Corey said they will definitely continue to help students in need.
It’s an honor for us to help them make their charitable dream a reality. It’s what we do.

What’s your dream for making a difference?

Jill Muthig is the scholarship and fund administrator for the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. Email her at [email protected].