Rochester Badgers - Past Events

Our Student Sendoff had Babcock ice cream for all, UW Bookstore t-shirts for sale, and 30 parents and students that were all set for UW Madison the end of the month. About a dozen chapter members put on the event. Fun was had by all!

This was our fourth annual Ronald McDonald house dinner. It's an event where you get as much or more than you give. A common comment from the volunteers... "it makes you feel good".

We served 30-35 people and enjoyed preparing and serving the meal as much as the families enjoyed eating the meal.

Our potluck meal was a hit with all of our guests, especially the kids.

Liz Kasemeotes and Gerry Meyer attended the Leadership Forum in Madison. The Scholarship reception was held Thurs. evening (see the photogallery for pictures) and the forum on Friday. Gerry Meyer gave a presentation at the forum on the Rochester Scholarship Program as part of the "lessons learned" session. And the Rochester Chapter was announced as one of 16 chapters achieving Bascom Level status for the second consecutive year.

Bascom Level chapters are organized chapters that meet a higher level of alumni service in their communities and receive additional WAA support and resources that are consistent with their commitment to serving the diverse needs and interests of all graduates.

The Rochester Badgers hosted a dinner for the kids at the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester on Wednesday, September 12th. We served about 70 great kids! The spaghetti dinner was catered by Victoria's and donated by Jim Sloan (BBA '58). There were 10 Wisconsin Alums who showed up to serve and we all had a super time with the kids and staff of the Club. We give a hearty "thank you" to Jim, Victoria's, and the staff of the Boys and Girls Club.

Our Student Sendoff Celebration was Thursday, August 2, 2007, 7-9 p.m., at Soldier’s Field Park Shelter.

We enjoyed Babcock Hall ice cream, refreshments and conversation with UW students and alumni. We also sold UW t-shirts from the UW Bookstore.

Over 40 alumni and students enjoyed the celebration.

Thanks to the Rochester Badgers who volunteered to help with pack over 700 food boxes for Christmas Anonymous to give to needy families. Volunteers included Patrice Roe, Jean Boray, Steve Brown, John Boray, Dave Roe, Steve Ludwig, Grant Johnson, and Jim Sloan. Special thanks to Steve Brown who coordinated the Badger's activity and helped supervise the event.

The Rochester Badgers provided an evening meal for 40-50 people staying at the Rochester Ronald McDonald House. The families enjoyed the home cooked meal as much as we enjoyed being able to provide a relaxing dinner. Thanks to Ann Dykstal and Kati Zeratsky for coordinating the event.

The Rochester Badgers hosted a dinner for the kids at the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester on September 14th. We served nearly 100 kids and staff and had plenty of time to sit and chat with them. It was a great evening in great company!

Chapter President Dave Dykstal made a few remarks prior to the dinner, introducing the kids to Bucky and presented director Larry Kent with donations from alumni.

There was a coloring contest and you probably won't see Bucky come in these colors again!

Dinner was provided by Canadian Honker and although we had planned for a lot of kids there wasn't much left over. Pickles and the ham sandwiches seemed to be particular favorites.

Thanks again to Jim Sloan (BBA '58) and Judy Sloan (BSE '60) for setting this up and donating the cost of the dinner and to Joe Powers at Canadian Honker for his support!

See the Photo Gallery for pictures from the event.

Food packing - The food packing was held on Monday, December 5th, at Christ United Methodist Church. Packing involved putting food into boxes for distribution to needy families at the CA "store". Twelve of our Chapter members participated in the activitiy. Thanks to them all and to Steve Brown for coordinating the activity.

Photo: Bruce Ludwig, Jan Hensley, Erik Thorpe, Katie Brown, Jean Boray, Jim Sloan, Dave Dykstal, John Boray, Steve Brown. front row: Sally Enders, Barry Paye

Store - The "store" was held on Saturday, December 10th, at Christ United Methodist Church. Several of our members participated in this worthwhile acivity.

Again this year, our club provided a "house dinner" for about 50 residents of the Rochester Ronald McDonald House on Wednesday evening, November 9th. We did a Minnesota Hot Dish meal with hot dishes, salads, fruit, bread and desserts. Coordination of volunteers and food was done by Jean/John Boray and Katie/Steve Brown.

This year’s KidsFest on Sunday, Feb. 13th, was another successful fundraiser for the Rochester UW Alumni Club with $459.00 donated to Ronald McDonald House! Thank-you’s go to volunteers Tom and Deb Crowley, Tiffany Schardt, Gerry Meyer, Mike Contezac, Kathy and Kelly Geisler, Judy & Jim Sloan, Erik Thorpe, Ann & Dave Dykstal, Bruce Ludwig, and Katie & Steve Brown (pictures below). Additional thanks to Mike Brown for bringing his UW flag which we displayed behind our booth. And a special thanks to Terry and Shelly Schardt for planning and organizing the event again this year.

With snocones $1 each, the 2005 sales were lower than the record-setting 623 snocones served at the 2003 KidsFest. The lower sales were attributed to a very rainy day, which lowered the attendance.