Autumn Community Sunshine Fund

Like a ray of sunshine, Autumn Helgeson filled lives with warmth and joy. Autumn Community Sunshine Fund has been established by us - Brad, Kim and Brooklyn Helgeson - in honor of our daughter and sister, Autumn Helgeson. This is a donor-advised fund supporting an array of interests, including youth, education, animals, and the arts.

We started the fund to honor Autumn and our family's commitment to helping others. Our purpose is to use Autumn's joy and what we call "sunshine and sparkle" to promote good works in our community now and in the future.

Autumn died while performing an act of service to her Chippewa Falls community. Our family wants to honor and carry forward her spirit of service, love, and giving. Her favorite community event was preparing and serving food at Agnes' Table alongside our church friends. As a family, we believe in giving to our community. We believe we must instill a sense of commitment to our community and show our children that we can, and we must help others. Through the years we have been fortunate to help or be part of The Open Door Clinic, Agnes' Table, youth activities and education through Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Spirit of Christmas, Hallie Girls Softball, Chippewa Bowhunters Club, YMCA, the Eau Claire Community Foundation Women's Giving Circle Fund and the Girl Scouts.

We became aware of the concept of Community Foundation efforts when a friend started a fund in their daughter's name, as well our involvement with the Women's Giving Circle Fund with the Eau Claire Community Foundation. The idea of coming together with other individuals who wanted to promote the same investments in our communities was uplifting and exciting.