When more information is needed for a major issue affecting the health and safety of people in the Fox Valley, CHAT (Community Health Action Team) digs deep. The group recently celebrated the contributions of Ray Durkee, one of those who has been digging since the start in 2002.

ThedaCare’s Community Health Action Team (CHAT) brings together diverse groups of people to study problems first-hand through a “plunge” — a day-long event that gathers people most affected by or involved in solving an issue. Whether attempting to reduce poverty or improve senior health, community members share knowledge, learn from those at the heart of the issue and develop solutions for change. Staff from the Community Foundation frequently are among them.

Ray has served on the CHAT board and its executive committee. His work has been all the more motivating to others as he continues to be active in the community despite having to overcome a stroke and moderate lasting effects on his speaking ability.

Ray, a retired executive from Kimberly-Clark,  counts among his many volunteer experiences having been a Community Foundation Board member and  chairman of the Community Foundation grants committee. He has served a variety of positions benefitting ThedaCare, including its board of directors and Appleton Medical Center and its foundation.

His gift to remember his service on the many issue “plunges” over the years was a CHAT plunger.

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