Todd Johnson Memorial Foundation

Established in 2008 in memory of Todd Johnson, father of 2, killed in an accident. The annual golf outing is the sole fundraiser and the proceeds provide a scholarship in Todd’s name to Lakeside Lutheran High School & Bethany Lutheran College. Additional funds are given to the UW Waisman Center for research on autism and a small portion placed in a trust fund for Todd’s children. Todd’s son has autism.

The award of $2,500 will be used for autism research at the Waisman Center.

To learn more about the Todd Johnson Memorial Foundation click here.

Aware in Evansville

Aware in Evansville offers more than 40 different community programs to fight poverty in Rock & Walworth County area such as housing & energy programs, quality child care, snack packer, clothing/hats/mittens drives, emergency shelter, and senior benefit assistance.

The award of $2,500 will be used for “Refuse to Bruise” program, a teen-driven dating abuse program run by teens and presented in local schools.

To learn more about the Aware in Evansville click here.

Camp Hozhoni

This annual camp brings together 30-35 families of children who have recently completed cancer treatments. The camp is held at the Lion’s Camp in Stevens Point and costs $25,000 each year. Most of the children have been treated at UW Children’s Hospital in Madison and Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee. This camp serves as an opportunity for the young patients and the families of cancer survivors to meet, and enjoy family activities. It also functions as an opportunity for the mothers and fathers to meet separately, by cancer types, to talk about their experiences and learn from post-cancer treatment experts.

The award of $5,000 will be for general assistance in maintaining the camp.

To learn more about the Camp Hozhoni click here.

Hospice Care Inc.

Losing a loved one is never easy, but for children and teens it can be especially difficult. Through the Children’s Grief and Bereavement program, professional grief counselors provide children and teens the support they need during this grieving period, to help them find healthy ways to cope with their grief and integrate back into their normal activities at home, in schools and in the community. Hospice offers individual counseling and hosts a variety of support groups for these individuals; in addition, offers counseling in a school setting if a classmate had died..

The award of $5,000 will support the Children’s Grief and Bereavement program.

To learn more about the Hospice Care Inc. click here.

Good Neighbor Clinic of Sauk Prairie

The clinic is committed to serving the preventive and primary health care needs of those trying to improve their lives and for whom such services are economically unfeasible. Many of their clients currently are individuals from the area in their 50’s that have lost their jobs and thus their insurance and the outlook for employment is very bleak. The clinic provides free primary medical care and prescription assistance to needy residents. The clinic sees approximately 3000 patients annually.

The award of $5,000 will assist with offsetting the increased cost of testing strips and insulin for diabetic patients.

To learn more about the Good Neighbor Clinic of Sauk Prairie click here.

Love for Lexi Foundation

In January 2005, a 14-year-old girl names Alexandria “Lexi” Rose Georgeff was placed on the national waiting list for a multi-organ transplant due to her failing liver. Lexi was born with Chronic Neuropathic Intestinal Pseudo Obstruction which caused her intestinal function to fail making her unable to eat. In order for Lexi to meet her nutritional needs she was placed on an IV nightly, which caused damage to her liver.

After Lexi passed away in 2005 the funds donated from several fundraisers were put into an account to help others. These funds are used for families of sick children who need assistance paying medical bills. In 2009 and 2010 around Christmas time the L4L Foundation purchased Christmas gifts for the children in the hospital.

The award of $5,000 helping local families with their medical bills and also they give to Children’s Hospital for research.

To learn more about the Love for Lexi Foundation click here.

Make-A-Wish of Wisconsin

Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions between the ages of 2½ to 18. Every child in the Make-A-Wish program receives his or her wish. In 2010, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted 318 wishes of children in Wisconsin. Currently, more than 230 Wisconsin Children are in the process of having their special wishes granted.

The award of $5,000 will grant a wish for one child in the Milwaukee Branch territory.

To learn more about the Make-A-Wish of Wisconsin click here.

The Conservatory of Music

The Conservatory has had a music therapy program for the last 17 years that addresses physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words — individuals with Alzheimer’s, anxiety disorders, Autism, Downs Syndrome, or Parkinson’s. It can benefit those recovering from an accident or stroke and also assist with speech development in children. Music therapy is a program offered to all age groups. Currently, there are approximately 576 clients. Approximately 83% of the Music Therapy students are from low-income homes and need financial assistance.

The award of $5,000 will be used towards the purchase of new musical instruments, CD’s and portable players utilized in the program.

To learn more about the The Conservatory of Music click here.

YMCA of Metro Milwaukee SW Branch

The Southwest YMCA offers services to individuals born with special needs. These programs are run at a reduced rate to make sure all participants are able to afford them. While health insurance provides for rehab services, those services are often limited. Emphasis at the YMCA is placed on building the skills necessary to maintain independence and quality of life.

The YMCA is also assisting individuals with special needs to finish HS, getting ready to start work program, or learning to live on their own in the community.

The award of $5,000 will be used for the special needs program.

To learn more about the YMCA of Metro Milwaukee SW Branch click here.