It is hard to believe Gifts from Heaven will be entering its eleventh year of operation in December 2008. This foundation, established in memory of our daughters Tara and Kendra, is a labor of love to commemorate our girls and their dreams. When my husband Mike and I reflect upon all the years our foundation has been operating, we are amazed at the response we continually receive from our family, friends and the community. After receiving the initial anonymous donation on behalf of our daughters in December 1997, Mike and I knew we wanted to continue the tradition—but we had no idea if this would be possible. Imagine our surprise when year after year we continue to receive the necessary funding to maintain Gifts from Heaven in the spirit we intended. The generosity of our community speaks for itself in the number of families and children that have benefited from donations to our foundation.

Our foundation’s growth is a direct result of this generous, caring community that continues to provide donations. It is also thanks to the support of the Wausau Police Department, Everest-Metro Police Department and the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department, and all the wonderful volunteers who help during the Christmas Season and at our annual golf outing fundraiser. It is exciting to note that our daughter Michaella, her cousins and friends are now also a large part of the volunteers we gather each year.

If you have previously donated to Gifts from Heaven, we thank you for your generosity and hope that you know how important your contribution is in helping  provide children and families in need with a special holiday. You should also know that your donation may also have aided a family in crisis—one suffering from illness or tragedy.

I encourage people to contact me with any questions. If you would like to make a donation, please note that we accept donations at any River Valley Bank location. If you are interested in volunteering in the 2008 Christmas Season, please contact me. Have a wonderful day!

        Cheryl