MONROE - Kathy Reffue has always been a caregiver at heart. Even as a child, she loved to care for those around her and that trait has stayed with her. Reffue's community involvement has reached into the arms of many, both young and old, and it's what keeps her busy and happy.
Reffue was born and raised in Beloit, where she admits she wasn't a focused student. She said she would have rather made sure a cousin who lived close by was walked to school holding her hand or simply helping a friend on the playground.
The 1966 Beloit Memorial High School graduate wasn't sure exactly what she wanted to do with her life, but she loved people and decided to attend beauty school. She worked a few years around the area before choosing to move to California with her cousin for a change of pace.
After a couple of months, the stylist was homesick, and she came back for a friend's wedding. It was there she met her husband Bob, who was attending Madison Business School. She never returned to California, and said Monroe is most definitely now her home.
When Bob landed a job as an accountant in Monroe, the couple moved to town and Kathy worked at The Beauty Boutique. She was always an involved member of the community, teaching Sunday school and singing with the choir for Union Presbyterian Church.
It wasn't long before Reffue had issues with her shoulder and knew she couldn't continue as a stylist. She heard Monroe Clinic needed help in the medical records department and decided to work there, a position she held for 11 years.
She worked early morning hours and was free in the late afternoons so, without telling anyone, Reffue decided she would take a college course. Once she realized she could do it, and enjoyed it, she decided to start going back to school part-time and soon earned her teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
Even while attending UWP as a non-traditional student, Reffue found herself helping out others to get through difficult classes - earning herself not only a degree but graduating magna cum laude. She said it was so important because no one could take her education away from her.
Although there were times she wanted her own classroom, Reffue was so involved with the community by then, she spent a decade substitute teaching. She enjoyed the freedom of being able to be with Bob when she wanted and still volunteer in the community.
Community involvement
It was about 25 years ago when Reffue learned the Jaycees group needed help with the bloodmobile. She decided to step up. She had watched her parents donate blood and her mother worked at a bloodmobile, inspiring Reffue to help out. She became the bloodmobile chairman and still co-chairs the program.
"You can't buy blood," Reffue said about why she's so dedicated to the program. "It's one of those things - you can't get blood unless someone gives it."
Reffue is proud that Monroe has 11 bloodmobiles; she's in charge of six inside the city limits. She's proud of having started bloodmobiles within Monroe Clinic and the high school, both of which are still happening.
"It's just a feeling you get when you donate a pint of blood," Reffue said. "You are helping at least three people."
In 1993, Reffue was asked by a friend if she wanted to attend a Monroe Woman's Club meeting. Reffue said before she knew it, she was heading the group as its president. Reffue has served on the Woman's Club district board for 15 years and is currently co-president of district.
Reffue said it's remarkable to be around women who are together for the same reason - to make their community a better place. And she is grateful to have lasting friendships with people she might not have otherwise known.
She is the Arts chairwoman for the Monroe Woman's Club, a committee that promotes art in schools with contests in poetry and short stories. The Woman's Club also does several community involvement projects, including donating for a library program and providing summer pool passes to children who otherwise couldn't afford them. The group has donated thousands of dollars to the Monroe Arts Center, EMS and Monroe Clinic Hospice Home project, among other projects.
"It's a no-brainer for me to be a part of such a wonderful organization," Reffue said.
Through the Woman's Club, Reffue became heavily involved with the Christmas Stocking Project - an effort that started 60 years ago. The program works to ensure all children in the community have a special holiday and organizers collect toys and monetary donations to make sure children in need throughout the Monroe School District get a toy for Christmas. Food boxes containing the ingredients for a holiday meal are provided to families in need. Likewise, vouchers to purchase warm boots or shoes are made available for children.
The program is re-evaluated constantly and work begins in August to ensure its annual success. The money raised each year, around $50,000, is what is used for the following year's drive.
Reffue said her husband helps her in her work with Christmas Stocking.
"He's the love of my life, my best friend and he's been the most supportive partner in this 43 years of marriage," she said.
Reffue has been involved in the Monroe Theatre Guild as well, mostly backstage building props, helping with costumes and lighting. But one day, she was asked to help direct and enjoyed it immensely. She even acted once and has some wonderful memories of being a part of that group.
"It was so fun, I loved it," she said. "It doesn't matter who you are, you're just like a big family."
Reffue also served as the board president of MAC for a three-year term. She is on the Hospital Auxiliary Board and helps with the bazaar and scholarships given. She serves on the Monroe Clinic Hospital Foundation board to help raise money for things needed there - she's proud to say the groups have offered grants to the schools for programs as well as having several other area schools come in to benefit from them.
For fun, she and Bob enjoy playing cards, something they've done with friends for the past 30 years and attending Badger football games together. She also loves reading and they travel when they can.
"I consider it a privilege to live here in Monroe," she said. "Your community is only as good as what you make it.
Reffue was born and raised in Beloit, where she admits she wasn't a focused student. She said she would have rather made sure a cousin who lived close by was walked to school holding her hand or simply helping a friend on the playground.
The 1966 Beloit Memorial High School graduate wasn't sure exactly what she wanted to do with her life, but she loved people and decided to attend beauty school. She worked a few years around the area before choosing to move to California with her cousin for a change of pace.
After a couple of months, the stylist was homesick, and she came back for a friend's wedding. It was there she met her husband Bob, who was attending Madison Business School. She never returned to California, and said Monroe is most definitely now her home.
When Bob landed a job as an accountant in Monroe, the couple moved to town and Kathy worked at The Beauty Boutique. She was always an involved member of the community, teaching Sunday school and singing with the choir for Union Presbyterian Church.
It wasn't long before Reffue had issues with her shoulder and knew she couldn't continue as a stylist. She heard Monroe Clinic needed help in the medical records department and decided to work there, a position she held for 11 years.
She worked early morning hours and was free in the late afternoons so, without telling anyone, Reffue decided she would take a college course. Once she realized she could do it, and enjoyed it, she decided to start going back to school part-time and soon earned her teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
Even while attending UWP as a non-traditional student, Reffue found herself helping out others to get through difficult classes - earning herself not only a degree but graduating magna cum laude. She said it was so important because no one could take her education away from her.
Although there were times she wanted her own classroom, Reffue was so involved with the community by then, she spent a decade substitute teaching. She enjoyed the freedom of being able to be with Bob when she wanted and still volunteer in the community.
Community involvement
It was about 25 years ago when Reffue learned the Jaycees group needed help with the bloodmobile. She decided to step up. She had watched her parents donate blood and her mother worked at a bloodmobile, inspiring Reffue to help out. She became the bloodmobile chairman and still co-chairs the program.
"You can't buy blood," Reffue said about why she's so dedicated to the program. "It's one of those things - you can't get blood unless someone gives it."
Reffue is proud that Monroe has 11 bloodmobiles; she's in charge of six inside the city limits. She's proud of having started bloodmobiles within Monroe Clinic and the high school, both of which are still happening.
"It's just a feeling you get when you donate a pint of blood," Reffue said. "You are helping at least three people."
In 1993, Reffue was asked by a friend if she wanted to attend a Monroe Woman's Club meeting. Reffue said before she knew it, she was heading the group as its president. Reffue has served on the Woman's Club district board for 15 years and is currently co-president of district.
Reffue said it's remarkable to be around women who are together for the same reason - to make their community a better place. And she is grateful to have lasting friendships with people she might not have otherwise known.
She is the Arts chairwoman for the Monroe Woman's Club, a committee that promotes art in schools with contests in poetry and short stories. The Woman's Club also does several community involvement projects, including donating for a library program and providing summer pool passes to children who otherwise couldn't afford them. The group has donated thousands of dollars to the Monroe Arts Center, EMS and Monroe Clinic Hospice Home project, among other projects.
"It's a no-brainer for me to be a part of such a wonderful organization," Reffue said.
Through the Woman's Club, Reffue became heavily involved with the Christmas Stocking Project - an effort that started 60 years ago. The program works to ensure all children in the community have a special holiday and organizers collect toys and monetary donations to make sure children in need throughout the Monroe School District get a toy for Christmas. Food boxes containing the ingredients for a holiday meal are provided to families in need. Likewise, vouchers to purchase warm boots or shoes are made available for children.
The program is re-evaluated constantly and work begins in August to ensure its annual success. The money raised each year, around $50,000, is what is used for the following year's drive.
Reffue said her husband helps her in her work with Christmas Stocking.
"He's the love of my life, my best friend and he's been the most supportive partner in this 43 years of marriage," she said.
Reffue has been involved in the Monroe Theatre Guild as well, mostly backstage building props, helping with costumes and lighting. But one day, she was asked to help direct and enjoyed it immensely. She even acted once and has some wonderful memories of being a part of that group.
"It was so fun, I loved it," she said. "It doesn't matter who you are, you're just like a big family."
Reffue also served as the board president of MAC for a three-year term. She is on the Hospital Auxiliary Board and helps with the bazaar and scholarships given. She serves on the Monroe Clinic Hospital Foundation board to help raise money for things needed there - she's proud to say the groups have offered grants to the schools for programs as well as having several other area schools come in to benefit from them.
For fun, she and Bob enjoy playing cards, something they've done with friends for the past 30 years and attending Badger football games together. She also loves reading and they travel when they can.
"I consider it a privilege to live here in Monroe," she said. "Your community is only as good as what you make it.