MONROE - Instead of exchanging gifts in a traditional holiday manner, Linda Mittelstaedt-Gissing of Monroe and her family decided to hold an auction instead.
For the last six years, everyone gathers at the family farm in Mauston where Mittelstaedt-Gissing's father, Gerald, and his siblings grew up.
"We just put our heads together," Mittelstaedt-Gissing said. "None of us really wanted gifts, but we still wanted to do something good and so we just decided to give it to charity."
This year the family raised its highest amount so far with a total of $1,500 for the YMCA Annual Fund, which goes toward scholarships for kids and adults who can't afford memberships.
"It was a very good surprise," said Steve Norem, Green County Family YMCA director of operations and finance.
About 25 members of Mittelstaedt-Gissing's family brought both new and softly used items, along with handmade goodies to be auctioned off at the family event.
"My aunt made a couple of quilts this year that were just beautiful, and they went for about $60 or $70," Mittelstaedt-Gissing said. "And Baumgartner's mustard is a hot item also."
The YMCA Annual Fund provided 319 scholarships to Green County residents in 2017, Norem said.
Mittelstaedt-Gissing said she thinks it is important kids have the opportunity to come to the YMCA.
"It's just good for their physical well-being to get some exercise and have a place to run around and get some steam out," she said.
Her stepmother, Kathy Mittelstaedt, wasn't sure what charity the family should give to this year, but after seeing a TV commercial that the YMCA was accepting donations, she decided it would be great to support the place where Mittelstaedt-Gissing and her husband, Dave Gissing, have rooted a portion of their careers.
Mittelstaedt-Gissing has been teaching at the Green County YMCA preschool since August. She previously taught at Juda Elementary for 24 years. Gissing has worked almost 28 years for the YMCA as a swimming instructor and teaches at St. Victor School.
"The auction is a lot of fun," Gissing said. "[Family members] have a great spirit about them wanting to do good things for others. I was glad just getting to be a part of it."
For the last six years, everyone gathers at the family farm in Mauston where Mittelstaedt-Gissing's father, Gerald, and his siblings grew up.
"We just put our heads together," Mittelstaedt-Gissing said. "None of us really wanted gifts, but we still wanted to do something good and so we just decided to give it to charity."
This year the family raised its highest amount so far with a total of $1,500 for the YMCA Annual Fund, which goes toward scholarships for kids and adults who can't afford memberships.
"It was a very good surprise," said Steve Norem, Green County Family YMCA director of operations and finance.
About 25 members of Mittelstaedt-Gissing's family brought both new and softly used items, along with handmade goodies to be auctioned off at the family event.
"My aunt made a couple of quilts this year that were just beautiful, and they went for about $60 or $70," Mittelstaedt-Gissing said. "And Baumgartner's mustard is a hot item also."
The YMCA Annual Fund provided 319 scholarships to Green County residents in 2017, Norem said.
Mittelstaedt-Gissing said she thinks it is important kids have the opportunity to come to the YMCA.
"It's just good for their physical well-being to get some exercise and have a place to run around and get some steam out," she said.
Her stepmother, Kathy Mittelstaedt, wasn't sure what charity the family should give to this year, but after seeing a TV commercial that the YMCA was accepting donations, she decided it would be great to support the place where Mittelstaedt-Gissing and her husband, Dave Gissing, have rooted a portion of their careers.
Mittelstaedt-Gissing has been teaching at the Green County YMCA preschool since August. She previously taught at Juda Elementary for 24 years. Gissing has worked almost 28 years for the YMCA as a swimming instructor and teaches at St. Victor School.
"The auction is a lot of fun," Gissing said. "[Family members] have a great spirit about them wanting to do good things for others. I was glad just getting to be a part of it."