It's Wayne Mouser, Local News.
Good morning, I'm Wayne Mouser for Civic Media News.
Winnebago County Sheriff's officials are looking for an Asian man in his mid-thirties who used a person's tap to pay from a go-to bank account on August 11th.
The account was used at a Walgreens in Beaver Dam and two Walgreens and a high v store on East Washington Street in Madison.
The suspect purchased gift cards as well as miscellaneous items
He tried additional transactions that were declined on other potential victims tapped to pay accounts on his phone.
The suspect was seen getting into a black van or smaller SUV.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office if they can identify the suspect from photos released to the media.
The phone number is 920-236-7368.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hankseth announced a proposed $1.5 trillion in military spending
that could soon go before Congress for a vote.
The announcement came during a visit to Oshkosh Corporation Monday afternoon, where Hegseth spoke to workers and toured production facilities.
Hegseth spoke for about a half an hour inside a hangar at Woodman Regional Airport before hundreds of workers for Oshkosh Corporation, specifically Oshkosh Defense, as part of his, quote,
Arsenal of Freedom, on quote, tour is planned to part at about 3 p.m.
Hexeth said the president will request $1.5 trillion from Congress to boost military spending, which will go toward equipment, some of which is made in Wisconsin.
The plan would directly benefit Oshkosh Corporation.
Hexeth said Oshkosh has made a name for itself in producing high-quality equipment that should be an example to the rest of the country as preparation and spending for future conflicts is considered.
He touched on the importance of Oshkosh defense in the effort to boost America's military production so that the country and its allies are ready for future conflicts.
Kayla Stemler was sentenced one day and out of Gamy County Circuit Court to eight years in prison for her role in the neglect of a teenager who was hospitalized, weighing just 35 pounds.
The 28-year-old Stemler was also placed on extended supervision for three years and then two years on probation after she was convicted of three counts, chronic neglect of a child, consequence is great bodily harm, chronic neglect of a child, consequence is emotional damage and false imprisonment.
results are also charged in the case.
James Radford now faces an intentional homicide charge for the 2016 death of his wife after prosecutors increased the count from a reckless homicide charge.
The 40-year-old Radford was charged in April of 2025 for the April 11, 2016 death of Sabrina Radford at a town of Fairbanks home.
He pleaded not guilty last month, but no trial date had been set.
But last week, prosecutors filed a new criminal complaint, changing the charge to first degree
a preliminary hearing is set for Friday in Wapaka County Circuit Court.
With the increased count, the maximum penalty for rat free goes from 40 years in prison to life.
Envision Greater Fond du Lac is celebrating an exciting milestone as the organization welcomes its first three households to Fond du Lac County through its Make My Move talent attraction program.
The goal is to attract 32 working-age households who live, work, and become part of the Fond du Lac County community.
James, Carolyn, and family are beginning their new life in Fond du Lac County.
Caroline is employed by the Fond du Lac School District.
Robert moves from Connecticut to Ripon.
He has secured employment with Verve, a credit union, and removed from New York to Fond du Lac County.
Known as the City of Sculptures, Walpawne continues to add to its historical collection.
Bob Nelson has the story for Civic Media News.
Concrete was poured at Meadham and Fields for a new sculpture honoring Wolfon native Mamie Redman, a professional women's baseball player in the 1940s.
The leak story was told in the Tom Hanks movie, A League of Their Own.
Wolfon Mayor Ron Bishop says it's not just about adding sculptures to their collection.
As we're adding sculptures, we're not just adding random pieces of art.
We want them to have something to do with Waupon or Waupon Connections.
So we've added Manny Redmond, who is a professional baseball player.
She's in the Hall of Fame.
The Rosie the Riveter sculpture is getting a new home at the corner of Drummond and Jefferson Street to near National Rivet.
Another sculpture known as Kite Girl downtown is a nod to the Shaler legacy.
Shaler used to make kites.
I'm Bob Nelson for Civic Media
News.
will be unavailable on Wednesday and Thursday.
All DNR customer and outreach services staff will be attending training for continued customer service excellence.
The training dates were selected because they coincide with the lowest license sales and phone call volume during that time of the year.
The DNR tip line, emergency spills line, and Wisconsin emergency management hotline will continue to be answered during that time.
Many services can be accessed on the DNR website.
Counter Services
The call center and email responses will resume normal business hours on Friday.
I'm Wayne Mauser for Civic Media News.
The Wapaka County Fair starts today in Waiowiga, but there won't be any horses on display.
County fairs across Wisconsin are canceling exhibits and rescheduling equine events due to a highly contagious horse disease.
Wopaka County Fair officials sent a letter to 4-H members and their parents that the equine exhibit has been canceled for this year's fair and the horse and pony project is being rescheduled for a later date.
Equine strangles is a highly infectious respiratory infection.
At least one, maybe more, horses in Wopaka County has been exposed to a confirmed case in a neighboring county, according to fair officials.
The Brown County Fair wrapped up last weekend.
Fair organizers say there was no exposure to the horse disease among the animals at this year's event.
But officials are urging all horse owners to closely monitor their animals for symptoms.
If you suspect your horse has been exposed or is showing signs of illness, contact
veterinarian immediately to prevent further spread.
Congressman Tom Tiffany is campaigning across the state as part of his statewide Protecting Wisconsin Farmland tour.
Civic media's James Kelly has more on the candidate stop in Western Wisconsin.
Congressman Tiffany's comments highlighted his intent to prevent the state's farmland from being purchased by foreign entities have elected as Wisconsin governor in November.
He also shared his thoughts on the state's farmland being used for things like solar fields, wind-based power generation, and increasingly common data center developments.
I'm James Kelly for Civic Media News.
I'm James Kelly for Civic Media News.
The Republican Congressman will face off with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in the race for Wisconsin Governor in the November midterm election.
A teenager is seriously injured after a UTV rolled over in Grant County.
Investigators say a teenage male driver and female teen passenger were operating the vehicle when the crash happened.
Evidence shows it began to slide sideways while traveling down a hill, rolling over once and ejecting the driver.
The teen male was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries before being flown to a hospital in Madison for emergency treatment.
The female passenger was taken to the hospital with suspected injuries.
As civic media has met
Shaffer tells us, UTV rollover crashes like the one in Grant County are on the rise across our state.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is once again reminding riders to practice proper ATV and UTV safety as fatal crashes continue to be an issue across the state.
So far this year, 29 people have died in ATV and UTV crashes in Wisconsin.
The DNR says not wearing helmets and seatbelts are the primary factors in those fatal incidents, along with riders not completing a safety education course.
According to DNR records, the top three types of fatal crashes
This year have been rollovers, collisions with motor vehicles, and riders being ejected from the machine.
DNR off-highway vehicle administrator Jacob Holzklaas says not every crash can be prevented, but wearing the proper safety equipment can greatly increase the chances of surviving one.
For Civic Media News, I'm Maddie Schaefer.
Riders are also being reminded to stay sober, follow speed limits and other posted signs, and take an ATV or UTV safety class, regardless of age.
Charges have been upgraded to intentional homicide in a 2016 Chano County death.
40-year-old James Radford pleaded not guilty last month to a reckless homicide charge in the death of his wife at their town of Fairbanks home.
Prosecutors filed a new criminal complaint last week, changing the charge to first-degree intentional homicide.
Court records show a preliminary hearing is set for this Friday.
And that's your state news update.
I'm Connie Feldman for Civic Media News.
The Brewers in New York.
Hi, I'm Mike Clemens with Sports Baseball.
It's the Brewers in the Mets tonight at Citibank Field in Queens, New York.
Lefty Kyle Harrison on the mound for the crew against the Mets, Zach Thornton.
NFL, a fight broke out during the Packers' practice in pads.
Receiver Matthew Golden exchanged punches with defensive end Baron Sorrell.
After the whistle, Sorrell on how it happened, even though he and Golden played on the same college team.
We're just being competitive, man.
Going out there playing football, things happen, emotions get higher.
got to it a little bit, b and I'm those boys so it's football.
Now tomorrow, their joint practice s Cardinals and their new head floor, Matt's younger brother
issue in practice, you're gonna be playing in the game.
The second issue, I'm gonna tell the g tag me in, they can tag down on the 50.
That's matl from training camp in
I'm Mike Clemens.
Mostly sunny today with a high in the upper 70s to low 80s this afternoon.
Tonight scattered showers and thunderstorms with a low dropping into the mid 60s tomorrow.
A scattered shower or thunderstorm then mostly sunny with a high in the upper 70s to low 80s.
I'm meteorologist Sean Cable.
Local news, local sports and local people you know.
Your hometown station 93.1 and AM 1600 The Wave.
We have a couple of guests in our studio joining us from the Ripon area school district.
We have the superintendent Ron Rivard and business manager Jonah Adams.
Gentlemen, thank you for joining us this morning.
Thanks for having us.
Well, there's going to be a referendum on November 3rd for the school district.
We saw this coming and it actually will tie together two previous referendums who wants to start.
Correct.
Thanks, Bob.
You're absolutely correct.
On November 3rd, our school board actually a week ago yesterday approved the referendum question and resolution to do exactly what you said.
So I appreciate you stating that we're going to combine two current referenda into one.
So we have a $500,000
referendum that is going to sunset this year and another that another eight hundred and fifty thousand dollar referendum that will sunset a year from now and those are being combined so we want to make sure that the that the public knows that while the question may read a little bit confusing because it reads that there would be a five hundred thousand dollar referendum renewed for
26 or excuse me 27 28 and then a 1.35 for 28 29 It's not two together that are going to be 1.85 million It's actually the combination of those two so it would be tax neutral.
So I'm very happy With the way you asked the question Bob because we're gonna try to clarify that as as good as we can
And certainly I'll continue to reiterate and did this last week as well.
The survey results that the board received, I would say reinforced the path that they took because the overwhelming feedback that the community shared with us via that survey was that they
did not want there to be an increase in school tax.
So the board was very respectful of that.
And I would say the challenge for Jonah and I, and one of the reasons, one of the main reasons we're here today is to start that communication process and education process so that our ripping voters can make the most informed decision possible.
So thank you for having us again.
Okay, so the aim of the referendum was to be tax neutral, but people are going to see their millage rate go up a little bit, not due to the referendum.
Jonah, maybe you could explain that to us.
Yeah, so what we're going to see this year, we're using a lot of estimates and we're trying to use conservative estimates.
We're seeing
We're projecting about a $7 increase in tax per $100,000 of property value.
So it's a pretty minimal increase.
It'll still be the second lowest mill rate that we've had in 40 years.
So we're pleased with that.
But what we're seeing is about 4% property growth and about a 5.3% total tax increase.
The school district will levy about $390,000 more than last year.
We are not levying anything for additional debt payments.
Last year we had levied more than $300,000 in additional debt payments to have some interest payments.
But right now what we're kind of dealing with and what other school districts are dealing with is the state didn't give any additional equalization aid.
And what Equalization Aid does, it's for the general fund for general operations, and Equalization Aid lowers property taxes.
And so sometimes it's called property tax relief.
our equalization aid is going to drop by more than $300,000.
And so what ends up happening when the state aid goes down, local property taxes go up.
Like I said, we're trying to do what we can to control the levy by not doing any additional debt payments this year and hoping that in the next state biennial budget, there'll be some additional equalization aid and property tax relief.
And I think
Both parties, both political parties are interested in doing that and I think they both want to lower property taxes.
So I'm hopeful that in the next biennial budget we will see some more equalization aid.
Okay, so what kind of a millage rate are you projecting then?
So we currently
In last year's taxes, we had a $6.36 tax per $1,000 of property value.
We are projecting a $6.43 mill rate.
It's up $0.07 per $1,000 of property or $7 per.
$100,000 of property.
So like on a $300,000 home or property, we would expect $21 of new tax for the school district.
There are some caveats with that.
When we look at tax rates, we're looking at the Department of Revenue, equalized property values, which are more like fair market value, property values.
So on your tax form, you can see your equalized property value and your assessed property value for school districts and counties and technical colleges.
we are using the equalized property value, which is determined by the Department of Revenue.
So those property values fluctuate quite a lot among our 11 municipalities and things tax gets shifted from one municipality to another.
So it gets really complicated.
But again, I would just say that
you know the mill rate itself is is going up a small amount uh seven cents per thousand dollars of property and um it's a for our for our district we're going to levy five point three percent more than last year so it's about three hundred and ninety thousand dollars higher than last year
all right so here's a question for you how do you set a budget for the next school year in october
when your referendum isn't until November 3rd?
That was an easy answer because the referendum won't affect this year's budget.
So we're studying the referendum now to prepare for future years.
And so we have the referendum through both referendums go through this school year.
So we already know that funding is secure.
So now we're just passing the referendum a year in advance of when we need it.
Okay, this is an operational referendum
correct.
Yeah, so it's used for all general operations and
yes, um What we had shared were general operations academic resources and to maintain programming so it's we're not looking to add
anything.
We're looking to maintain what we have and continue to operate the way that we have been.
And one other thing I think is really important and very positive with respect to the Rippon community.
Historically, we've
been passing operational referendums consistently for the last 17 years.
So the $500,000 amount has been approved and supporting our operations for almost two decades.
So we're at a spot where that has become essential operational.
dollars for us so we want to be respectful especially recognizing that 17 years ago the costs of things were vastly different than they are now so oftentimes we'll hear from from our constituents you know asking things like well I thought you said that we have declining enrollment
So if we have less kids, it should cost less money for us to educate them as as an aggregate.
Well, that theoretically, yes, that's true, but the cost of things between 17 years ago and now are quite different.
So that's why we're able to not ask for more dollars, where a lot of our neighboring school districts are not in that space where they're having to ask.
for more referendum dollars
than
they had in the past.
So we feel very fortunate about that.
All right.
There have been information sessions.
Will there be additional information sessions on the referendum?
Most certainly.
Another great question.
So thank you for that, Bob.
We are going to hear between now and the last week of October.
Our goal is to engage with as many different groups as we can and provide as much accurate Educational information to inform their decisions as possible We are going to be reaching out to the Rotary and Kiwanis groups.
We met with them collectively prior like Jonah was explaining
So we want to meet with them hopefully in September and October so we can share some information gather some questions from them and be able to respond to those questions if we need some time to do some research also want to provide some additional public sessions like we did
previously uh want to interact with the rip in town board as much as we can the chamber of commerce and just individually uh i'd like to say one conversation at a time as i'm out and about in the community i'm sure those questions will surface and i i appreciate those opportunities just to be able to talk and and answer those kinds of questions too because
It's a big decision.
November 3rd is a big day for not only for the school district, but across the state.
So we need to do our due diligence and make sure that everybody understands what a yes or a no vote means when it comes to our referendum.
All right, we run out of time.
Anything additional you want to say?
I just want to say a big shout out to all of our teachers and administrators.
We welcomed everybody back yesterday.
We're geared up for a great 2026-27 school year and can't thank everyone enough for all of the work they've done over the summer, our custodial team IT department.
everybody, it doesn't happen without everyone pulling the same rope in the same direction.
So thanks to everybody and looking forward to talking with you in another month, Bob.
Okay.
We've been talking with the superintendent of the Rippon Area School District, Ron Rivard and business manager, Jonah Adams.
Well, we have a real treat for you today as we find out about an upcoming event at the Boys and Girls Club and the Tri-County area we'll be benefiting from and from the Boys and Girls Club of the Tri-County.
We have resource and development coordinator Cassidy Walters and from Alliance Laundry Systems Betsy Heffernan.
Ladies, thank you for joining us.
Good morning, Bob.
We're glad to be here.
I wasn't sure your title, Betsy, so.
Official title is Communications and Corporate Giving Manager, but really, it's basically other duties as a sign.
It's a big grab bag.
Whatever they put on your plate, right?
Exactly.
I'm happy to
do
it.
Okay.
Now, this event has been
put on for a couple years now, hasn't it?
Cassidy, tell us about it.
I believe the third year.
So Arts and Crafts was a newly event to replace the fall event that was used to be called the dual.
Another
fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club.
We play to mix onwards of the arts, which means kids are making art pieces along with the crafts, which is taking place at Knuthbury.
So have some cocktails and arts and for the guests to bid on the art piece and just have a have a good old fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club.
Okay, so when is it?
We know where it is, but when is it?
Yeah.
What time?
Arts and Crafts is set Thursday, September 17th.
at five o'clock.
We encourage guests to come in, get registered, grab a cocktail, and really to start walking around the event center there at Canoose to look at all the art pieces that the kids made.
We have about 14 collaborations.
What a collaboration is, I've paired up 14 different youths with local artists around the area to have kind of a one-on-one
Mentor session
and
they make a very unique one-of-a-kind art piece something that you may not see traditional club youth make in the club To have as the final art piece for us to live auction at the event.
So about six o'clock.
We will we'll kick off the program Have a welcome and then just start having kids come up on stage and tell us a little bit about their art piece with their youth and what their experience was like and then we
We live auction the pieces and it's really cool to see the kids' faces light up.
They're like, whoa, people want my art.
I think that's so cool.
So this benefits all three of the Boys and Girls Clubs facilities?
Yes, all three, all three club sites.
I should put a little plug in.
Actually, four.
We're opening Markizan for the first time this
year.
We're having a school site.
So Berlin and Ripen are our two standing sites and then we'll have school sites after
after-school year programming in Green Lake and now Mark-A-Zan.
Okay.
Now you have a featured artist?
Yes, we do.
Stephanie Coli is her name.
She's an artist from Warsaw.
I always try to get the past three years a local artist within the state, maybe a little outside of being local in our community, but she's really great.
She's a painter, a muralist, recycled art.
Jewelry she does a variety of things really really cool.
I got her secured She's gonna come at the event.
So starting at five o'clock She's gonna start on a live art piece and she's gonna be working with the youth to create it and hopefully by the end of the event Her and that youth's piece will be done and that will be the last piece will live auction off for the event.
Okay now you have a match
For the for the cement
we do so we'll also have an appeal section like our other fundraisers and appeal time is for guests to essentially Give donate money Unrestricted funds to the club serving as like operation unrestricted funds and that will serve all four sites and This year our match is $50,000 donated by Tim and Vicki Weas and family so we're super appreciative of them supporting this
this match and getting our guests to raise 50k that night so we can get that match.
So essentially everyone's dollars are being doubled which is great.
Well the match has worked out well for driving for a cause I know.
Yeah yeah no it's been really great.
All of our fundraisers have seen a lot of success this year from having a match and it just gives people a way to want to donate more and help help us meet that number.
Okay.
Best thing now, Alliance Laundry Systems has been very charitable in the area.
And what is it about an event like this that draws sponsorship from Alliance?
Well, we're the presenting sponsor for this.
And well, and it's a great event.
It's a lot of fun.
So I would encourage everyone to check it out.
But
One of the reasons why we value our partnership with the Boys and Girls Club so much is that we have almost 2,000 employees that work out of our ripping office.
They're not only from ripping, but they are from the surrounding areas that are served by the different clubs.
And the Boys and Girls Club supports our families.
They support the children of our employees.
It's something that we do to show our employees support.
It's also good for the community to have a place for the kids to go, to have them engaged in productive learning activities, as well as just a safe place to play and hang out and be with other kids and with mentors.
And so supporting the Boys and Girls Club, we believe, is good for our business because it supports our employees.
And it's good for our business community in general.
to have that resource available to our families.
It just makes everyone stronger.
Now as a former school board member, you know that a lot of the school districts promote STEM and now STEAM.
And I believe the A stands for Art, doesn't it?
You know Bob, that's a new one for me.
I'm gonna have to go look that up and learn more.
I think
it does.
Yeah, I'm
familiar with STEM, but
oh if
they're putting art in there, I love that.
We're
here.
Yeah, I think it's science, technology, engineering, and math.
Science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
I believe so.
That's great.
I love that whole brain development.
Yeah,
that's wonderful.
Yeah, but art is
part of the learning experience and part of the appreciation experience.
Sure is.
And an outlet for kids.
Art
is
a way for them to express themselves.
And so a lot of youth really enjoy doing that in their own way.
It's a variety of different things.
And it's fun.
Yeah.
If you can do more than stick figures, you know, but even that's art, I guess.
Well, or coloring, that's a thing, right?
It doesn't have
to be perfect.
Art is art.
Or even black and white.
There we go.
You know, charcoal and whatever.
All right, so anything else that you wanted to point out about this event that's coming up on the 17th of September?
Yeah, no, it's a great event.
Like Betsy said, I encourage everyone to check it out.
Obviously, a great way to support the community and support the Boys and Girls Club.
We also do have live music, so I believe Lexi Lakeman is our choir teacher in the Ripon area school district, so she'll be singing at that event.
So just another cool feature, lots of arts, right?
Yeah.
$50 a ticket they can be found online on our Facebook page or on our website arts and crafts so $50 per ticket super affordable event come out Have some appetizers and a drink and and support the boys and girls come
is there a reservation deadline or no
September 4th ideally so you got a couple couple weeks if not a
week
now so
We'd love to have you just to make sure I count for the right amount of food, but regardless, I'd love to have you even if it's after that.
I think a nurse can handle it.
Yeah.
No,
he's great.
They're they're great.
So,
okay.
Anything we wanted to mention Betsy?
Oh, just that it's a great event.
You'll have a lot of fun and you'll be doing a lot of good for the kids and for the greater community.
Okay.
Ladies, thank you for joining us this morning.
Thanks Bob.
Always a pleasure to see you Bob.
We've been talking with Cassidy Walters of the Boys and Girls Club of the Tri-County area and also Betsy Heffernan of Alliance Laundry's Systems.
Well, we have a real treat for you today as we find out about an upcoming event at the Boys and Girls Club and the Tri-County area we'll be benefiting from and from the Boys and Girls Club of the Tri-County.
We have resource and development coordinator Cassidy Walters and from Alliance Laundry Systems Betsy Heffernan.
Ladies, thank you for joining us.
Good morning, Bob.
We're glad to be here.
I wasn't sure your title, Betsy, so.
Official title is Communications and Corporate Giving Manager, but really, it's basically other duties as a sign.
It's a big grab bag.
Whatever they put on your plate, right?
Exactly.
I'm happy to
do
it.
Okay.
Now, this event has been
put on for a couple years now, hasn't it?
Cassidy, tell us about it.
I believe the third year.
So Arts and Crafts was a newly event to replace the fall event that was used to be called the dual.
Another
fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club.
We play to mix onwards of the arts, which means kids are making art pieces along with the crafts, which is taking place at Knuthbury.
So have some cocktails and arts and for the guests to bid on the art piece and just have a have a good old fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club.
Okay, so when is it?
We know where it is, but when is it?
Yeah.
What time?
Arts and Crafts is set Thursday, September 17th.
at five o'clock.
We encourage guests to come in, get registered, grab a cocktail, and really to start walking around the event center there at Canoose to look at all the art pieces that the kids made.
We have about 14 collaborations.
What a collaboration is, I've paired up 14 different youths with local artists around the area to have kind of a one-on-one
Mentor session
and
they make a very unique one-of-a-kind art piece something that you may not see traditional club youth make in the club To have as the final art piece for us to live auction at the event.
So about six o'clock.
We will we'll kick off the program Have a welcome and then just start having kids come up on stage and tell us a little bit about their art piece with their youth and what their experience was like and then we
We live auction the pieces and it's really cool to see the kids' faces light up.
They're like, whoa, people want my art.
I think that's so cool.
So this benefits all three of the Boys and Girls Clubs facilities?
Yes, all three, all three club sites.
I should put a little plug in.
Actually, four.
We're opening Markizan for the first time this
year.
We're having a school site.
So Berlin and Ripen are our two standing sites and then we'll have school sites after
after-school year programming in Green Lake and now Mark-A-Zan.
Okay.
Now you have a featured artist?
Yes, we do.
Stephanie Coli is her name.
She's an artist from Warsaw.
I always try to get the past three years a local artist within the state, maybe a little outside of being local in our community, but she's really great.
She's a painter, a muralist, recycled art.
Jewelry she does a variety of things really really cool.
I got her secured She's gonna come at the event.
So starting at five o'clock She's gonna start on a live art piece and she's gonna be working with the youth to create it and hopefully by the end of the event Her and that youth's piece will be done and that will be the last piece will live auction off for the event.
Okay now you have a match
For the for the cement
we do so we'll also have an appeal section like our other fundraisers and appeal time is for guests to essentially Give donate money Unrestricted funds to the club serving as like operation unrestricted funds and that will serve all four sites and This year our match is $50,000 donated by Tim and Vicki Weas and family so we're super appreciative of them supporting this
this match and getting our guests to raise 50k that night so we can get that match.
So essentially everyone's dollars are being doubled which is great.
Well the match has worked out well for driving for a cause I know.
Yeah yeah no it's been really great.
All of our fundraisers have seen a lot of success this year from having a match and it just gives people a way to want to donate more and help help us meet that number.
Okay.
Best thing now, Alliance Laundry Systems has been very charitable in the area.
And what is it about an event like this that draws sponsorship from Alliance?
Well, we're the presenting sponsor for this.
And well, and it's a great event.
It's a lot of fun.
So I would encourage everyone to check it out.
But
One of the reasons why we value our partnership with the Boys and Girls Club so much is that we have almost 2,000 employees that work out of our ripping office.
They're not only from ripping, but they are from the surrounding areas that are served by the different clubs.
And the Boys and Girls Club supports our families.
They support the children of our employees.
It's something that we do to show our employees support.
It's also good for the community to have a place for the kids to go, to have them engaged in productive learning activities, as well as just a safe place to play and hang out and be with other kids and with mentors.
And so supporting the Boys and Girls Club, we believe, is good for our business because it supports our employees.
And it's good for our business community in general.
to have that resource available to our families.
It just makes everyone stronger.
Now as a former school board member, you know that a lot of the school districts promote STEM and now STEAM.
And I believe the A stands for Art, doesn't it?
You know Bob, that's a new one for me.
I'm gonna have to go look that up and learn more.
I think
it does.
Yeah, I'm
familiar with STEM, but
oh if
they're putting art in there, I love that.
We're
here.
Yeah, I think it's science, technology, engineering, and math.
Science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
I believe so.
That's great.
I love that whole brain development.
Yeah,
that's wonderful.
Yeah, but art is
part of the learning experience and part of the appreciation experience.
Sure is.
And an outlet for kids.
Art
is
a way for them to express themselves.
And so a lot of youth really enjoy doing that in their own way.
It's a variety of different things.
And it's fun.
Yeah.
If you can do more than stick figures, you know, but even that's art, I guess.
Well, or coloring, that's a thing, right?
It doesn't have
to be perfect.
Art is art.
Or even black and white.
There we go.
You know, charcoal and whatever.
All right, so anything else that you wanted to point out about this event that's coming up on the 17th of September?
Yeah, no, it's a great event.
Like Betsy said, I encourage everyone to check it out.
Obviously, a great way to support the community and support the Boys and Girls Club.
We also do have live music, so I believe Lexi Lakeman is our choir teacher in the Ripon area school district, so she'll be singing at that event.
So just another cool feature, lots of arts, right?
Yeah.
$50 a ticket they can be found online on our Facebook page or on our website arts and crafts so $50 per ticket super affordable event come out Have some appetizers and a drink and and support the boys and girls come
is there a reservation deadline or no
September 4th ideally so you got a couple couple weeks if not a
week
now so
We'd love to have you just to make sure I count for the right amount of food, but regardless, I'd love to have you even if it's after that.
I think a nurse can handle it.
Yeah.
No,
he's great.
They're they're great.
So,
okay.
Anything we wanted to mention Betsy?
Oh, just that it's a great event.
You'll have a lot of fun and you'll be doing a lot of good for the kids and for the greater community.
Okay.
Ladies, thank you for joining us this morning.
Thanks Bob.
Always a pleasure to see you Bob.
We've been talking with Cassidy Walters of the Boys and Girls Club of the Tri-County area and also Betsy Heffernan of Alliance Laundry's Systems.