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 faces of the smiling children at the Community Early Learning Center, in the thankful hearts of teachers getting that little bit of extra support from the Appleton Education Foundation, and in so many other ways.  

Lake Edge Learning Center – $5,000 for Infant Room Addition – Lake Edge Learning Center is a nature-based preschool with wrap around childcare where the classes are held outside as much as weather permits.

Five years ago, the first grants were awarded from the John and Sally Mielke Early Years Fund for the Fox Valley Region. In 2024, a significant milestone was reached with more than $100,000 awarded from the fund in 33 grants to 24 different organizations across the Fox Valley Region. Grants have ranged from support for direct service to upstream interventions like vision screening and development screening, family engagement events, and professional development for early childhood educators. Though most grantees have been based in the Fox Cities, grants have made a broad impact throughout our region, including in rural areas like Chilton, Shiocton, Clintonville, Waupaca, and Shawano.

Because the fund is endowed, granting will carry on for many years to come, so we look forward to periodically sharing more impact stories with you. We also invite you to continue giving to the fund to increase its impact. To learn more, go to www.cffoxvalley.org/thankyoumielkes/ . 

If you have any questions about the fund, or would like more information, please contact Director of Community Engagement, Carolyn Desrosiers at [email protected] or 920-702-7625. 

Advisory Committee of the John and Sally Mielke Early Years Fund for the Fox Valley Region: 

• Carolyn Desrosiers, Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region 
• Jeff Knezel, Community Volunteer 
• Julie Krause, Appleton Education Foundation 
• Sally Mielke (ex-officio), Community Volunteer 
• Paula Morgen, ThedaCare 
• Meghan Sherwood, United Way Fox Cities 
• Jon Stellmacher, Community Volunteer  

Photo at top of article: Waupaca Community Arts Board – $1,000 for Arts Hub Early Childhood Outreach -The Arts Hub Outreach Program provides age-appropriate activities to encourage creativity, confidence, fine/gross motor skills, and problem-solving. Programming is free to those who participate.