During the early morning hours of July 10, 1999, Kirt lost his wife, Elly, his three children, William, Alexis, and Natalie, along with a nephew, in a fire. A fire in a house without smoke detectors. 

With the unconditional support of the Chippewa Falls Fire Department, local schools, and donations from the Optimist Club, Northwestern Bank, and the Pickerign family, the smoke detector program was established in the spring of 2000. 

The Family Smoke Detector Program involves all third-grade students in 10 Chippewa Falls elementary schools. In 2007, with a collective effort of the Pickerign family, the WANE Fire Safety & Prevention Endowment Fund was established to ensure that students throughout Chippewa County receive education and smoke detectors for years to come. 

Since the establishment of the fund, it has expanded to include the Bloomer, Cadott, and Medford schools, under the supervision of their fire departments.

Creating a charitable fund through the Community Foundation is a meaningful way to make a lasting difference. When you establish an endowed fund, your gift becomes a permanent source of support for the community. The fund is carefully invested, and a portion of the earnings are used each year to provide grants that address important local needs. This approach ensures that your generosity has an impact not only today, but for generations to come. Your original gift, along with all future earnings, remains a lasting source of community capital dedicated to positive change.

The Community Foundation of Chippewa County was established to build permanent charitable resources that benefit the people, communities, and nonprofit organizations throughout the County. Donors who choose to endow their gifts help strengthen the community while creating a legacy that lasts forever. Grants are awarded in the name of the endowment fund, preserving the designated charitable intentions and honoring the donor's commitment to causes they care about most.

Community Foundations offer a simple, powerful, and highly personal way to give. By providing flexible charitable tools designed to meet a wide range of philanthropic goals. You may contribute cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, or other assets, making it easy to support Chippewa County communities in ways that align with your financial and charitable objectives. 

Make More Possible through endowment.