Mary and John Hofkes feel that they and their children have been blessed in countless ways, and that's why they established the John and Mary Hofkes Family Endowment Fund.

"We recognize that there are a lot of needs in the community," said Mary, a retired nurse, grew up in Iowa, in a city she describes as having the same "hometown feel" as Chippewa Falls.

"This is a wonderful place. We love the lake and boating and spending time in nature. We thought starting a fund would be a good way to give back to a community that we care about so much."

After the Hofkes established this Donor-Advised Fund in 2008, their philanthropy expanded to include many non-profit organizations and causes close to their hearts, such as Hope Village, the Chippewa Area History Center, scholarships for nurses, drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs and more.

John, who recently retired from the business he founded, grew up in a family deeply rooted in Chippewa Falls, and appreciates how the community looks after people who are struggling in life, preserves the area's natural beauty, and recognizes the founders who worked to make the area prosper into what it is today.

"We felt very strongly about giving our children the chance to see where the money goes and to demonstrate how you can leave a legacy and a lasting impact on the community at the same time," said John. "It's heartwarming to see how many people have stepped up to give to the Foundation with legacy gifts that will go on to help others. It's quite impressive for a community this size."