The Greenhalgh Memorial Music Endowment Fund was established in 2005, within three days of a tragic bus accident that took the lives of 5 people and injured 29 more, most of whom were students. The event left the Chippewa Falls community stunned and heartbroken.

Chippewa Falls Senior High School band director, Doug Greenhalgh, was among those killed when returning from a band competition in Southern, WI. Overnight, as news traveled through the community, students, families and community members gathered to mourn and reflect on what could be done in the wake of such tragedy. At the same time, condolences and memorial donations began pouring in from far and wide.

Megan MacLaughlin-Barck, a 1988 Chi-Hi graduate, and Darrin Senn, who graduated in 1990, were among the many music alumni who felt compelled to go to the high school when they heard the news.

"None of us really knew what to do, but we were all thinking the same thing," said Senn. "We wanted something positive to come from this tragic event."

It didn't take long for Megan and Darrin, working with the late Carol Gienapp (then executive director of the Foundation), to set up a fund to capture more than $75,000 in memorial contributions, and begin spearheading other fundraising efforts. It was clear that the community wanted to see Greenhalgh's vision for the music program continue after the 20 years he had invested in building it.

"I think what the fund shows is how the community recognized the importance of Doug Greenhalgh's work … and all who lost their lives that day," said Senn, who now serves as a fund advisor alongside Megan. "I believe it's a testament to their memory and his legacy."

Over the years, grant distributions have supported the purchases of new instruments, band uniforms, electronic equipment, computer software and a recording studio, among other needs. According to Michael Renneke, chair of the Chi-Hi music department, money from the Greenhalgh fund has unquestionably raised the quality of the music program.

"That money has just been incredible," said Renneke. "Support for the arts is diminishing on a national level, and we haven't experienced that here in Chippewa Falls. We have tremendous support from our community."