Caring and Sharing Group looks to expand outreach

An idea that began four years ago, to help elderly and shutins in need, has grown to encompass the surrounding areas of Cadott. When Cadott resident Miriam Bourget first had an idea to help, a small group of women joined her in efforts to get together baskets to take to shut-ins and nursing homes.

Each member gave money or donated items in their endeavors.

Over time, the group, known as the Caring and Sharing Group, saw more women join its ranks, which in turn created more ideas to give back to the communities they belong to.

“This year (2019), we met and decided to go a different direction,” said Bourget. “Some of the women came up with the idea that there was a need for school lunch programs that weren’t being paid. Apparently, this is going on everywhere.”

The members felt strongly that students need to be fed, no matter the circumstances, so, to help pay school lunch accounts, the group organized a meat raffle. Members donated meat and collected other meat donations, then held the event in the middle of December.

“We were actually astounded how many people showed up,” said Bourget.

The raffle raised more than $2,000 to pay lunch accounts at Cadott, and the group decided, in the future, they may move to another district to help that lunch program out. With ladies from Cadott, as well as Augusta and Fall Creek, the funds can be spread around.

“It’s going to be a little bit of everybody,” said Bourget.

This past year, the group also was able help someone in the community have a good Christmas. Members found a young man attending school who is homeless and bought him gift cards.

“He was very thankful for what we did,” said Bourget. “He said it made his Christmas, because, without it, he wouldn’t have had a Christmas.”

The group also gathered a “massive amount” of mostly unwrapped kids gifts, which were given between members and others who contributed, for the Bolton Refuge House in Eau Claire, which provides help for victims of domestic and sexual abuse.

For such a small group, Bourget says it’s unbelievable how much they have accomplished.

“It’s a lot,” she said. “I’d like to see our group increase more.”

Current members besides Bourget, include Colleen Bourget, Patty Jackson, Aly Luedtke, Chris Mickelson, Diane Murphy, Kay Stelzer, Julia Zakrewski and Trudy Zuglier.

The group only meets during the Christmas season, but do plan to meet in October this year, to work on a meat raffle a little sooner.

“That was one of my main things…because, I belong to a lot of organizations and I don’t want it to be a huge commitment for everybody,” said Bourget.

While the members chip in their own money and items for many of the projects, Bourget says so many donated meat for the raffle, that she can’t even name them all. In terms of generosity, Bourget remembers a time when two fundraisers were going on the same day, one in Cadott, one in Boyd, and each one raised around $50,000.

“That’s a lot of money, it’s huge,” said Bourget. “It’s totally, completely amazing. …It shows what the area’s like around here.”

Anyone who wants to join the Caring and Sharing Group, or has new ideas for the group, is encouraged to call or text Bourget at 715-559-3616.