Donor Stories
Simple genius: The lasting legacy of Roland Beranek
Roland “Rollie” Beranek wasn’t flashy. He didn’t care for fancy clothes or big crowds. In fact, it took him two years to say a word to his neighbor Barb Erickson. But once Rollie decided you were part of his circle, you were in for life — and in for a good laugh, a deep lesson,…
Giving Back, Seeing the Impact: Cheryl Vieth’s Designated Fund
Designated fund allows donor to see impact For Cheryl Vieth, the decision to give back to the community she’s called home for over 50 years was deeply rooted in her upbringing. “Growing up, my parents were farmers, and they gave back — whether it was to a neighbor or the community,” she said. That spirit…
Friends’ Forever Gift: The Judy and David Bouffleur Fund
It began with the gift of service For many La Crosse County residents, community service is part of everyday life. Judy and David Bouffleur exemplify such a life. Born and raised in La Crosse, the Bouffleurs have served the community for decades. Judy volunteers her time and talents to various organizations and events, and David…
Long-Time Donors Use QCDs to Give More, Gain More
QCDs, or Qualified Charitable Donations, allow Chris Haskell and Bob Carney to give more After giving to La Crosse Area Community Foundation for more than 20 years, retired educators Bob Carney and Chris Haskell came up with a new way to give that would allow them to have greater financial impact while streamlining their giving….
Sandy Castek’s Mission for Mothers
Empathy for struggling single moms stems from experience Sandy Castek’s journey from struggling single mom to founder of the Sandy Castek Fund for Empowering Women is both profound and inspiring. Her story begins with a personal trial that ignited a lifelong mission: to help single mothers navigate the challenges of self-sufficiency and education. “I was…
The Uncommon Philanthropy of Marta & Bill
Philanthropy has been a way of life The story of Marta Martinez and Bill Katra illustrates how personal journeys and shared values can intertwine to improve communities. The two met in 1966 during Bill’s two year-service with the Peace Corps in Marta’s small, rural hometown in Uruguay. Their story, marked by separation (of 41 years!)…
The Lois Craig Playbook
Much-loved coach’s influence will impact students forever Lois Craig was a coach on and off the field, training students to give their best in the gym, classroom and life. With a career as vibrant as the red lipstick she famously wore, Lois’s path from a young girl in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, to an influential educator…
Tom and Trudy Kennedy honored with 2024 Forever Friends Award
La Crosse Community Foundation names 2024 Forever Friends When he was 12, Tom Kennedy’s grandfather told him something that has guided his life ever since: “Never forget if you do the right thing, you’ll get the right outcomes.” That one sentence has served as a guide ever since, shaping a lifetime of philanthropy and service…
Aviation Scholarship: A Testament to Never Giving Up
Bernard Kriesel flies high “Never give up!” would be a perfect motto for Bernard Kriesel. It was a saying he exemplified throughout his life. Born on the Fourth of July in 1925, Bernard was the middle of nine siblings. He was patriotic and family-oriented. A man of few words, Bernard lived a simple but bountiful…
Transforming Tragedy into Teaching With Kindergarten Fund
Kindergarten fund will help educate young minds in perpetuity As a kindergarten teacher in the La Crosse School District, Sue Blanchar says she never went to work. She went to school. In fact, she went to school for 34 years, serving as the very first teacher hundreds of area children ever had. It’s a responsibility…