Students at P.J.’s see some ‘Giving’ on Tuesday

By Brandi Makuski

Nov. 28 marks Giving Tuesday across the nation, and students at P.J. Jacobs Jr. High will get to experience firsthand some of the love.

Mary Hesch of Stevens Point recently sold her three locations of Slumberland in Central Wisconsin. Now retired, she wanted to find some way to give back to the community.

According to Jenny Riggenbach, chief executive officer for the the Community Foundation Portage and Waushara counties, Hesch approached her a few months ago with an idea.

“She wanted to set up a fund to give back in the long-term,” Riggenbach said. “Her vision was to align the gift every year with Giving Tuesday, which is today.”

Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a day that encourages people to do good by donating to their favorite causes.

Hesch, Riggenbach, P.J.’s music teacher Kurt Van Tiem, several music students, and other district leaders, joined together on Nov. 28 for the check presentation.

“The community has provided a good income for me for 20 years,” Hesch said. “So I sold my stores to my general manager, and now I want to pay it forward. And that’s the name of my fund.”

Hesch’s annual gift of $10,000 benefits local music programs in the public school district. The funds are funneled via the nonprofit framework of the Community Foundation.

“I was in sixth grade when I picked up a guitar, and I still play today. It provided for me an emotional and spiritual journey. It gave so much to my life,” Hesch said. “And I thought, is there a hardship for some students to begin band? The hope is to expand band to those who might not otherwise be able to participate.”

Riggenbach said Hesch’s fund was a “donor-advised” fund, one that dedicates dollars to a cause close to a donor’s heart. The Community Foundation also operates a general fund which doles out dollars via grants.

Anyone interested in donating can go to cfcwi.org and donate to the cause of their choice.