InSpiring Women Honorees
The InSpiring Women Contest drew over forty different nominations. The nominees are women from all over the Dodge County area and are involved with many different community organizations. While all of them certainly are women of inspiration, the InSpire Magazine Advisory Board had the difficult decision of selecting just three women to be honored as the InSpiring Women of 2011.
Selections of the individuals were made in the categories of Health, Heart and Happiness. We believe each woman's contributions impact the world around them as they inspire others to go out and make a difference. We hope you will be just as inspired by the stories of these three women who give of themselves unselfishly.
Photos by Keith D. Glasgow PhotographyHealth - Patty De Vries, Randolph
It is with great pride that I nominate my sister, Patty De Vries, as the most InSpiring Woman…
Patty is the heart and soul of our family. In 2010 her son Joe was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Although the road has been long, Patty has known in her heart that Joe would survive. She has inspired all who have joined her in the battle for her son’s health and the survival of her family. Patty has had to struggle with leaving her nursing background behind and focus on just being a Mom. Faith, hope, and the love of family and friends continues to be instrumental in this courageous battle with cancer. She is an amazing Mom – always giving 110% to both of her sons, Joe and Josh. She is a wonderful wife and a dependable daughter. She is a brave and beautiful person. Not only is Patty my sister, but also she is my best friend.
Patty has touched countless lives through her occupation as a home care and hospice Registered Nurse. She is very dependable and is the type of person who immediately becomes part of the family to many of her patients. During her patient’s battles with life and death, she is welcomed in to not only their homes, but also into their hearts. Her experience, knowledge and empathetic personality have allowed her to be successful in bringing people better health and at times a sense of peace.
To know Patty is to love Patty. She has a smile that is contagious. She is funny, silly, and many times mischievous. For my entire life I have admired, respected, and loved Patty. I want to thank her from the bottom of my heart for being such an inspiration.
-- Leanne Gove
From the time she was a little girl, Patty De Vries always wanted to be a nurse. She went on to school and worked for almost 23 years at Continental Manor in Randolph, and has been a home health and hospice nurse for the last six years. Patty and her husband, Jeff, will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary next year. They have two children, Joe, 19, and Josh, 17.
Joe was diagnosed last May with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph system.
“As a home care nurse, I’ve taken care of a number of children with cancer,” Patty said. “I’ve interacted with their mothers, trying to teach them how to handle side-effects, risks, infection control. I always thought to myself, ‘I could never do this.’ It was my worst nightmare. So, then when it happened, it was very hard on so many levels.”
Hodgkin’s lymphoma has a 90% cure rate if it is treated in its early stages and responds well to the initial treatment. When Patty first noticed a lump in her son’s neck, she was in shock. The initial diagnosis took some time and the mass grew quickly -- from golf ball to softball size in an eight-week period. Joe suffered from some life-threatening complications during his treatment and Patty explained that it was so hard for her to see his healthy body in such a state. While she felt so helpless initially, Patty dedicated herself to finding out as much as she could about his treatment and care.
“Cancer patients have the desire to be their normal selves, live their life to the very fullest,” Patty said. “In Joe’s case, he was entering the summer of his senior year of high school when he first was diagnosed. He just wanted to be accepted as himself, not the kid who had cancer. This fact really tugged at my heart as he pushed himself to keep it together every day.”
Patty is thrilled to say that Joe is now in complete remission and is in a great place mentally, spiritually and emotionally. The family enjoys traveling by motorcycle and recently returned from a 3,000 miles trip to the East Coast to celebrate Joe’s milestone of finishing treatment.
Patty works with the Beaver Dam Community Hospital Hillside Home Care/Hospice team. She feels very passionate about the hospice service and the privilege of caring for those in the final stage of life. Her own personal experience has shed a new perspective on the care she gives to others.
“I feel I now am much better in tune with my patients and their family’s emotions,” Patty said. “I have learned silence is OK, and so are bad feelings, tears, anger, and even desperation. I have come to realize the depth of feelings and the importance of letting them express it however they choose to do so. This no longer makes me uncomfortable and I feel it has made me a more effective nurse. I also have a greater understanding of how helpless it feels to see your loved one in pain, be it emotionally, physically or spiritually. I try to do my very best to be aware of this.”
At first, Patty had a difficult time distinguishing the line between mom and nurse in trying to meet her son’s needs for both. She worked hard in trying to let him be independent, although she said she will always be his advocate. Initially Patty found herself acting like his nurse, but soon learned to let all that go and just be his mother.
“It did teach me a lot about myself,” she said. “I used to think I could control everything, but now I am much more ‘go with the flow.’ I have such a better understanding how life can change on a dime, and I no longer worry so much about little things I can’t do anything about anyway.”
Patty has also used her experience to help other parents in similar situations.
“It’s not so much as a nurse, more as a mother and a resource person,” she said. “I have found that this helps me as much as it helps them. Sharing resources and feelings with a fellow cancer mom who really has walked in my shoes is so valuable. While I never did want to be in the ‘cancer mom club,’ now that I am, I will always treasure these relationships with these strong women. I pray for them and their children daily.”
Patty believes that in volunteering and showing support to others, she receives so much more in return than she gives. Many times, she has been surprised by the unexpected blessings that came to her family throughout this experience.
“At some point in our lives we will be affected by cancer, either indirectly or directly,” she said. “Volunteering time binds us together and helps raise awareness about the importance of all of the people currently fighting this battle, and recognizes and respects the lives of people who have lost it.”
Throughout her family’s journey, Patty was given some good advice that she wanted to share.
“Take things one day at a time, get through today and don’t think about tomorrow,” she said. “That’s easier said than done sometimes. It really did help me though. And I pray a lot, that helps. For other mother’s out there, accept help, you don’t need to do it all on your own. Sometimes you get so busy taking care of everyone else that you don’t take care of yourself.”
Patty’s Charities of Choice
The proceeds will be split between:
American Cancer Society Youth Scholarship Program
The American Cancer Society Youth Scholarship program enables young cancer survivors to demonstrate the academic and social accomplishments they have made in spite of their illness. In addition to overcoming the disease, many cancer survivors and their families must also overcome the high cost of obtaining a college education. The Youth Scholarship program gives them an opportunity to pursue a degree by offsetting some of the cost.
Beaver Dam Community Hospital Foundation – Hillside Hospice Program
The Beaver Dam Community Hospitals Foundation is an organization formed by a group of local professionals, who were also active volunteers in the community. This group recognized the importance of supporting healthcare needs in the community. Over the years, many donations have been given to support Beaver Dam Community Hospital, Hillside Manor, Hillside Hospice and other community purposes. BDCH Foundation, Inc is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Its purpose is to promote charitable gifts for health care for a variety of health and wellness needs for Beaver Dam Community Hospital.
Heart – Jill Cullen, Beaver Dam
Every day there are remarkable, self-sacrificing women who work hard to make sure children in our community are cared for. Jill Cullen is one of those women.
For 14 years, Jill has organized the Children’s Radiothon which has raised over a million dollars for children’s programs in Dodge County. Jill has inspired me to be a better leader. Her enthusiasm and boundless energy is infectious. It takes many months of hard work and organization behind the scenes to make the Radiothon successful. She doesn’t do this as a requirement of her job, nor for public recognition. She does it because in her heart she cares about our communities’ children.
Jill serves on the Green Valley board because children with disabilities touch her heart. She works with the Positively Hoops Community Youth Basketball Program. With all she does in our community, Jill is also a wife and a mother to her own children.
There are a lot of inspiring women in our community. But Jill Cullen is at the top of the list. Thank you, Jill, for your love of our children. You are an inspiration to us all and I feel privileged to nominate you.
-- Carolyn Walsh
As a dedicated family first person, Jill Cullen devotes her time, talents and energy to not only her family at home, but also her work family and the larger community.
In 1998, Jill started work at Good Karma Broadcasting as a receptionist. Through the years she has “moved up the corporate ladder” and currently holds the position of office manager.
“Two weeks after I started, Craig Karmazin, the president/CEO of Good Karma, came up with the idea for an event to focus on giving back to the community. He wanted to try a fundraiser, which we now call the Children’s Radiothon.”
The WBEV/WXRO Children’s Radiothon dedicates 27 hours of airtime to on-air auctions with items donated by local advertising partners, and a variety of activities held throughout the region. This event, held in June of each year, is focused on raising money and awareness for Dodge County area non-profits.
“We have an awesome team here at the station that helps execute the event and allows our event to evolve and stay fresh,” Jill said. “In addition, we have a tremendous amount of support from the agencies who dedicate a significant amount of their time to our event.”
The very first Children’s Radiothon was organized by Craig Karmazin and an intern, and the event raised over $27,000. After the success of the inaugural event, the Radiothon was handed over to Jill, who has been coordinating the event for the past 13 years.
“In 2010 it was our biggest year because our combined total reached the one million dollar mark,” Jill explained. “It was a great plateau for us. The community definitely believes in what the Radiothon is about, they know that all the money stays local.”
The agencies to receive funds in 2011 were: Green Valley Enterprises; Clothes For Kids; PAVE (People Against Violent Environments); The YMCA of Dodge County, The Parent Resource Place, Community Care Preschool & Child Care, Inc and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Dodge County. For the fourth consecutive year, all the agencies benefitting from the Radiothon competed in fundraisers throughout the region for the Dodge County Service Cup. The 2011 winner, Green Valley Enterprises, raised over $2,800 and unseated three-time winner Clothes for Kids.
“The Radiothon importantly raises awareness for the non-profits and I think that is a huge key to the success of our fundraiser,” Jill said. “Non-profits come on the air and get the chance to talk about what the agency is all about, and we promote that heavily during our Radiothon. Awareness is number one, and obviously, money is number two. With our economy struggling right now, I think any non-profit can use the extra money, and I think our Radiothon helps them.”
Over three years ago, Scott and Lori Smith of Beaver Dam, had approached Jill about how they could help during the Radiothon. For the third year in a row now, Noel’s Angel Walk has provided a huge boost to the final total. The event is dedicated to their late daughter Noel Ann Smith. Around 150 people walked the 2.5 mile route in 2011. In three years the walk has raised nearly $47,000 for the Radiothon.
“That is an integral part of our fundraising efforts,” Jill said. “The Smiths are one of my favorite Radiothon recollections. It’s amazing just how they turned tragedy into a positive for us and the community, and how they rekindle the flame each year in remembrance of their daughter.”
In addition to her work as the Children’s Radiothon Coordinator, Jill is also the marketing director for the Beaver Dam Positively Hoops basketball club and currently serves as President on the board of directors at Green Valley Enterprises.
Jill and her husband, Terry, were married in February of 1996. They have two children, Courtney and Conner. “My family is the love of my life,” Jill said. “The children are very active, which makes Terry and myself very active, in basketball. I’m a family first person and that extends to my personal family, GKB family and Radiothon family.”
Some of the rewards Jill experiences from her volunteer work and work with the Children’s Radiothon is the feeling of giving back to her community.
“Just being able to see the joy of the agencies when they get that check, and knowing that it’s benefitting the kids, whether it be school supplies, clothes or keeping programs funded, is very rewarding,” she said.
In working with these agencies, Jill sees how the tough economic times have had an impact on the non-profit organizations. Jill commented that just by being on the board at Green Valley, she does see the awareness the Radiothon event raises, in addition to the funds making a difference.
“For the size of our community, we do make a difference,” she said. “We have definitely set the bar for others trying to raise the types of money that the Radiothon has done, and it should be a challenge to the others to ‘set the bar’ high and achieve your goal. Our event continues to grow despite the tough economic times for our region.”
Carolyn Walsh and the volunteers at Clothes for Kids nominated Jill for the 2011 InSpiring Women Awards. She was very surprised when contacted about her nomination and recognition.
“I am very honored and humbled to receive this award,” Jill said. “I’m very modest, so to actually accept this award is very overwhelming. The fact that Carrie and Jodi at Clothes For Kids took the time to nominate me and think that I’ve made a difference in people’s lives, in mine, and in the community is overwhelming. I don’t do it for the glory, or the fame, I do it for the end result, which is the kids.”
Jill’s Charity of Choice:
Clothes for Kids
Clothes for Kids is a not-for-profit, non-denominational, non-partisan, 501-c-3 organization dedicated to meeting the needs of school-aged children. They are located in the basement level of the Hotel Rogers in Beaver Dam. The organization is community based and run strictly by volunteers and supported by individuals, groups, churches, service clubs and the community.
Clothes for Kids provides school supplies that each student will need for the upcoming year. Funds are solicited for these items from local donors, and volunteers negotiate bulk purchases of pencils, folders, scissors, glue, notebooks, and backpacks, so that each child receives everything required by their school. Complete with a back to school haircut, new pair of shoes, clothing and school supplies, the children served by Clothes for Kids are prepared to start their new school year.
Happiness – Linda Hughes, Cambria
Linda Hughes is a full time worker. She gets up in the morning to take care of the children that go to her daycare. She does it for a reasonable price. She gives them all a full education. She also sends packages to U.S. troops. She has sent out more than 18,000 pieces of mail to our U.S. troops in the world. Not a lot of women send packages to troops and take care of children that aren’t their own.
Her oldest grandchild has lived in her home for some time. She is a good person to consider for this award.
-- Aaron Hughes
Children have always played a large role in the life of Linda Hughes. She grew up the oldest in a big family, attended a country school, and later went on to start the first licensed home daycare in Columbia County. Some 40 years later, Linda is still caring for children, making a difference in the area communities, and brightening the lives of people in the U.S. military both in this country and overseas.
After her marriage to David Hughes, Linda put her secretarial training to work. However, a difficult pregnancy and the early delivery of their first child was the reason Linda left her job. This change in careers turned out to be a great opportunity for Linda and a benefit to many local families.
“I quit my job on a Friday and by Saturday had calls from people asking me to watch their children,” Linda explained. “My teaching experience started coming out in me and we started doing activities all morning. Pretty soon people were telling other people.”
Linda went back to school and finished her two-year early childhood degree. She was also asked to teach a class for the migrant program and did this for ten years. Forty-five years later, Linda still carries the preschool teacher license she earned, and in 1974 the Hughes Family Daycare became the first licensed facility in Columbia County.
“I started this by accident, it wasn’t really planned,” Linda said. “There was nothing in the area for the children who weren’t ready for school. Between Randolph, Cambria and Friesland there were no early childhood programs. From 1974 to 1989, we served 2,000 children from the area.”
A nursery school was started in Continental Manor Nursing Home in Randolph in the 1980s. Linda explained that the children and residents made a great combination. Due to space constraints, the dayschool eventually moved back to Linda’s home, but the children in her care still visit the nursing home at least once a week. The children also visit 21 other nursing facilities and nutrition sites in a 20-mile radius.
Now known as Rascals and Rockers, the dayschool is non-profit and run by a parent board of directors. The name came from the time when the dayschool was located in the nursing home and the residents would sit in rocking or wheelchairs and call the children rascals.
“We get invited to a lot of weddings and graduations each year,” Linda said. “I stay in touch with a lot of former students from all over the country. I feel that’s more important than money.”
The dayschool began mailing letters and packages to service members back in 2001. These packages contain drawings and letters from the children, toiletries, food, playing cards, and pillowcases and blankets. Linda said she had always felt sad hearing stories about how the veterans were treated after returning from Vietnam. While her brother was serving in the Gulf War, Linda would send him packages. When 9/11 happened, Linda said she was devastated.
“I knew about 40 people in the military at that time,” she said. “I wrote a letter on September 13th and called to get the addresses of those people I knew in the military. I sent that letter to them. At that time, I did not think about this going for ten years. After a few weeks, we started getting more addresses. By February of the next year, we got an e-mail from an officer who had 500 men serving who got absolutely nothing. We started fundraising and sent a box to all 500 men.”
As the list of names grew, so did the cost of postage. Linda said she prayed and told God that she would continue this mission as long as she had the health to do so and the financial support available. So far, they’ve only run out of money once. Linda said that each time the funds get low, a check will suddenly appear in the mail.
“We spend about $10,000 to $12,000 a year on the mailings,” she said. “That’s why we’ve been able to send out over 18,000 letters and packages. Every week a mailing goes out. We send not only to the troops, but to Walter Reed Hospital and Camp American Legion. There are thanks yous, get wells and we support the homefront families.”
Linda has over ten journals filled with notes, e-mails and photos from service members who respond to the packages. These are shared with the children at the dayschool. Those children are involved with not only packaging and drawing pictures to be included, but the fundraising effort. The annual Pedal for Troops event is the major fundraiser to generate funds for the mailings.
“It’s so rewarding to know that a child’s picture they draw can bring so much joy and happiness to someone away,” Linda said. “I say that the children are professional flower and rainbow makers. They’ve become very good at that.”
Since 9/11, Linda has been decorating the Wisconsin Governor’s Salute the Troops tree in Madison. This year she will put 116 ornaments on the tree for every man and woman who has been killed in action since September 11, 2001.
“We couldn’t do it without the churches, the choirs do benefits for us, it is all so helpful,” Linda said. “Every post office between Fox Lake, Randolph, Cambria, and Friesland is great. All the people in my life are great.”
Linda has always felt draw to help other people. When she sees a disaster, she wants to be there and help in some way. She also supports the Salvation Army, Relay for Life and many other local organizations.
“I think if you volunteer, it completes your circle of life,” she said. “You can’t take your money with you or your car, but people will be reminded of what you did while you were here. Getting involved, even though you think you’re very busy, will always end up being the best part of your life.”
Linda’s Charity of Choice:
Pedal for the Troops
Rascals and Rockers Dayschool is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational parent co-op and has been mailing to service members since September 13, 2001. Approximately 18,000 packages or letters have been mailed since that time. Through their “Case of Caring and Sharing” program, Rascals and Rockers honor service members by providing a pillowcase full of items they need while serving the United States in a far away land. Financial assistance goes to help purchase food, toiletries, books, and other items, along with the cost of postage.
