Dennis Boisvert was among the founding members of the Community Foundation of Chippewa County. He and his wife, Jeanne, established the Dennis and Jeanne Boisvert Family Endowment Fund to help launch the effort and set the tone for legacy gifts to the community.

"Knowing there was need out there, we didn't want to be on the sidelines," said Denny, recalling the first meeting he attended more than 25 years ago. "At that time, Bert Swanson gathered a group of us together, people he knew were committed to the success of the community."

According to the Boisvert's, everyone thought a community foundation was a good idea, and they rallied around Bert's leadership, but they didn't really know if it would "fly." Denny and Jeanne now marvel at how much has been accomplished since that time.

"It blows me away where we are today," said Denny. "We expected it to grow but nowhere near where it is now. And more and more funds are being created each year."

The couple chose to establish a donor-advised fund, which allows them to consider areas of greatest need each year, and direct their dollars to organizations and causes they believe in. When they moved to Lake Holcombe, the Boisvert's were able to see needs outside of the city of Chippewa Falls, where their business, West Wisconsin Distributing, was based at the time.

"The fund has become a routine part of our lives," said Denny. "Each year we get a letter from the Foundation, updating us on how much money there is to give. Then we look at each other and say, 'Who can we help this year?"

Philanthropy is a value they now enjoy sharing with their children and grandchildren, wanting them to understand the importance of community involvement.

"Chippewa County is an example of what can be accomplished when people come together," said Jeanne, reflecting on 25 years of giving. "Word gets out and suddenly the Foundation has grown into what it is today."