TOWNSEND, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Improvements are on the way for the Northwoods community of Townsend.
They are arriving courtesy of one generous couple, many volunteers and the national insurance company Thrivent.
When Joe Heyrman and his wife, Terri, retired and moved to Townsend, they said they wanted to give back.
The couple gets insurance and financial advice from Thrivent. Thrivent Action Teams provide clients up to $250 a year to promote local causes.
“Those brat fries, it’s kind of a benefit multiplier. We tend to amplify that. We raise money so we can do more things. Our signature example is the kayaks. We started that program five years ago,” said Joe.
Using brat fry money, six kayaks and a couple accessible launches are free to use in the Townsend area. To commemorate 10 years of Thrivent Action Team success, Terri says financial representatives visited them last week.
“When they interviewed us, they didn’t indicate that they were looking for a finalist. They just asked us if we would do like a marketing thing for them. And I said, ‘Oh, sure, why not?'” said Terri.
Little did the Heyrmans know, the Thrivent reps had a surprise. A $10,000 surprise.
“Actually, it was shock. I was surprised,” said Terri.
“I forgot my exact words, but they didn’t have a check to share with us. But they just said, ‘Boy, I wish we were videotaping to show your reaction.’ And I had goose bumps, I have to say for sure. And I’m getting them now, just talking about it,” said Joe.
The Heyrmans say the money is headed to a community playground.
“Our parks are very, very old. They still have a lot of the old, metal merry-go-rounds, and they’re not really the safest,” said Monica Zeller, Townsend Town Chair.
Zeller says the gift will go a long way.
“This almost brings us up to about 85% of the cost we need to complete every project on our wish list. So it’s just absolutely amazing,” she said.
Construction on the park is scheduled to begin soon.
Other projects from the Heyrmans include supporting the local food pantry, a new flag pole and providing funding for a fireworks show.
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