The Gerald and Elaine Mann Endowment Fund was created by Elaine Mann in memory of her husband, Gerry.

The Reverend, Gerald Mann was 62 when he died unexpectedly in 2007. He was a United Methodist pastor, serving several churches before he became a nursing home chaplain in Chippewa Falls.

Elaine said she realized that an unrestricted fund with the Community Foundation would be the perfect opportunity to remember Gerry, and, as a couple, they could continue to provide support for a wide variety of community needs.

Prior to his untimely passing, circumstances had led Gerry to an early retirement, so he turned his full attention to serving his community in a different way. He dedicated his time to many local organizations, including Kiwanis Club, the Alzheimer's Association, Heyde Center for the Arts, Chippewa Valley Community Chorus, and Chippewa Valley Pipes and Drums.

The list of organizations to which Gerry gave personal time shows the importance he put on "doing" in order to make things happen, said Elaine.

"But volunteer groups are always in need of funding, too. It is a privilege to be able to provide support for future needs when the gift of time is no longer possible," said Elaine, who remains active in the community through music. She has been an officer of the American Guild of Organists for many years. She teaches organ lessons and serves as a church organist.

This Unrestricted Fund enables the Community Foundation to respond to the community's most pressing needs today and tomorrow.