Statewide Giving the Gift of Warmth
The Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund is turning the clock back 30 or 40 years to a time when neighbors and local businesses helped neighbors. Nothing is more representative of that effort than the housewarming events hosted in the summer and fall of 2008 by Craig and Lea Culver and Bill and Coreen Adamany.
These families opened their homes and their hearts on KWW/CF’s behalf to provide a hand up for those barely able to survive right in their own communities.
Craig and Lea Culver, founders of the Culvers restaurant chain, were amazed to learn that more than 200 households within a mile of their Columbia County home needed a helping hand with their fuel bills last winter. Although they, their employees and franchisees have been tremendously supportive with their past “Days” and “Weeks of Warmth” campaigns, the Culvers wanted to go the extra mile with their family and co-hosts by opening their home.
On July 15, 2008, the Culvers and The Gialamas Company Inc., GLOWAC+HARRIS+MADISON, Suttle-Straus Inc. and Merrell and Jeanne Tomlin opened Craig and Lea’s home to more than 50 guests at a “Warm Heart, Warm Home” event. Craig and Lea’s daughter, Brittany Lea Culver, personally made and served delicious hors d’oeuvres, which were served with wines from the Culvers’ private stock.
While enjoying a pleasant evening on the Culvers’ patio, the business owners, utility company representatives and educators donated more than $31,000 to KWW/CF ? enough to assist 90 households in the Culvers’ rural neighborhood.
The Culvers’ “Warm Heart, Warm Home” was followed by another tremendously successful event in southwest Wisconsin. Bill and Coreen Adamany, founders of the Star Cinema chain who are also long-term supporters of KWW/CF, and their co-hosts, Peoples State Bank, Jim Hutchinson, Bill and Andrea Adamany, Randy and Shelly Weeks, Bob and Cindy Standorf, TRICOR Insurance, Mark and Kati Forsythe, Jeff and Chris Panka, Culver’s of Prairie du Chien, Dairyland Power Cooperative, Thomas and Penelope Gialamas and Alliant Energy, helped more than 45 households in the Adamanys’ rural Prairie du Chien neighborhood with their housewarming this fall.
This was the first KWW/CF fundraiser in Crawford County, held in response to the overwhelming need there. More than 800 high-risk households were identified with unmet needs during last year’s heating season alone.
The Adamanys were amazingly fortunate to have 18 co-hosts and more than 20 guests attend and actively support the housewarming. This was a demonstration for the first time that all areas of the state can lend a helping hand to those struggling to survive in rural, isolated areas.
More than $16,700 was raised at the Adamanys’ beautiful home overlooking the Mississippi River valley. Guests and co-hosts enjoyed wonderful food and beverages while bidding on silent auction items, including a generously provided cocktail cruise on Bill and Coreen’s boat.
KWWF appreciates the generosity and support of all the donors at both events, as well as the generosity of the Culvers and Adamanys and their co-hosts in opening their homes to open hearts.