They served their country, they served their community, and now their fund will serve forever. Meeting later in life, Bill and Deb McDougall arrived in Chippewa Falls because "everything just fell into place." They knew they had found their forever home when the people of Chippewa Falls included them like they were family. In return, Bill and Deb took opportunities to give back. Over time, out of an ever-increasing appreciation for the community that embraced them, they gave an everlasting "thank you" by opening an endowment fund through the Community Foundation. 

"It's such a good feeling to feel belonging," said Deb who grew up in a military family. "Finally, I felt like I had a hometown."  

Bill is a Colonel, serving as a chief flight surgeon and squadron commander in the US Air Force Reserve. Deb served a total of over seven years in the Women's Army Corps as a cartographer and in the US Army Reserves as an operating room nurse. Both served during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

The couple arrived in Chippewa Falls in 2004 from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to pursue healthcare career opportunities. They both found jobs they loved, Bill a surgeon at St. Joseph's Hospital and Marshfield, and Deb, an operating room nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital. They said it was a time they loved most in their careers.

They were involved in their kids' sports and education. They quickly became friends with a wide network of caring people whom they treasure. Bill remarked, "The community was so good to us. We wanted to give back." The couple spoke about the city's quality of life, receiving invitations for picnics, and including their kids to join activities.

"It's like they just took us in. They accepted us, they took care of us and included our kids, too." Deb recalled. Still in awe to this day, she said, "We had not lived in a small town where everyone knows each other. This felt like home, instantly."

Upon meeting the Community Foundation, the McDougall's were asked what they were passionate about supporting. They determined that the Community Foundation should select charities, on their behalf, who do meaningful work for health and human services, especially for first responders, and charities who have a mission to serve the Environment and animal welfare. The Community Foundation will use the fund's growth to support grants in Chippewa County that meet the McDougall's charitable intent.

"We're taking advantage of our retirement by doing the things we love to do for as long as we possibly can," said Bill.

"We had a chance to do something good for the community and an endowment fund is what we decided."