DARLINGTON — In 2002, a benefit was organized in Lafayette County to raise funds for three local people struggling with medical issues. One of those recipients, Deb Whalen, had her medical expenses covered by insurance, so she donated her portion back to the cause, and with that, the Friendship Fund was born.
A yearly auction has been held every year since, raising money to help other local families and neighbors through troubling times. Over 20 years, just under $700,000 has been given out by the Friendship Fund to just under 1,200 families and individuals.
“It’s grown a lot,” Whalen said. “If it weren’t for the community, it wouldn’t be what it is today. They all participate in it. Everyone seems to look out for one another.”
Whalen was on a ski jet in 2002 when she was in an accident with a boat. Between her health insurance, ski jet and the boat owner’s insurance, her medical bills were to be paid. She wanted to return the money to help the other two recipients. She said Kathy Brecklin came up with a plan to take that seed money and create a fund.
Over the years, the community has continually stepped up and raised funds for the fund. Donations come in from local rides, memorials, fundraisers and the annual auction.
“There are kids that have lemonade stands, or donate money from their birthday instead of getting presents,” Whalen said.
According to fund president Steve Fitzsimons, a Darlington teacher, nearly half of the money raised comes from individuals with a straight donation outside of the auction.
“It’s about that time of the year (Christmas), and people get into the giving spirit,” Fitzsimons said. He added that board members are hopeful that this year the fund will surpass the $750,000 mark in give aways.
This year’s auction will take place this Saturday, Oct. 22, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 214 in Darlington. Dick White will be the auctioneer, calling bids on donated items. Available food will be brats, burgers, pork chops and cheesy potatoes.
Fitzsimons said that board members do not currently have a plan of where to distribute this year’s funds — that process takes place after the auction. Either a board member will know of a family or person in need, or a member of the public will let them know of someone needing assistance. The process of picking who to help comes as early as the beginning of December. Funds are both donated and given out to families in need throughout the year.
“The amount of money isn’t huge, but it can help. It doesn’t cover all of their medical expenses, but maybe it will pay for someone’s gas to go to radiation treatments in Madison, or something like that,” Fitzsimons said. It’s not just those suffering from cancer that get help, it could also be someone with another illness, recovering from injuries in an automobile crash, or something else entirely. “They get a letter that explains that the community cares about them.”
“The money helps for gas or groceries. They can still put food on the table until they can get back to work,” Whalen said.
To donate antique, collectible, or new items, money, or services, call Chris 608-776-3392 or Heather 608-776-8762. Auction items can be dropped off at the Legion Hall on Friday, Oct. 21 from 1-6 p.m., and also Saturday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. until the 6:30 p.m. auction time. Cash donations can be dropped off at First National Bank at Darlington or mailed to The Friendship Fund, P.O. Box 102 Darlington, Wis., 53530.
The Friendship Fund board members include Fitzsimons as president, Deb Whalen, Kathy Brecklin, Heather Buschor, Heidi Tuescher Gille, Angie Thuli, Chris Virtue, John Knellwolf, and Jim Jacobson.
The Friendship Fund Board of Directors hopes that anyone that knows of someone who has a serious illness, accident, or surgical procedure with extended recovery will let one of the board members know. They also extended their sincere appreciation for the outpouring of donations the past 20 years.
