This season of 60 Days of Giving was truly special. Last month we took part in Morrie’s Chippewa Valley Mazda two 60 Days of Giving 
surprises to Kasi Brouhard on Dec 5th and David Hanson on Dec 23rd.
Kasi Brouhard’s Story:
Kasi is a single mom to 3 boys- ages 12,10 and 5. Kasi gets up at 3:30am every day to start work and takes her lunch break to get her boys
ready for school. By the time her work day is done the kids are getting off the bus, and she’s back in mom mode. All three boys are in sports and various activities, and she does her best to keep it straight. To help take care of her boys, Kasi works as much overtime as she can and works 60 hours a week when she can.
Kasi car blew up when she was driving and is currently borrowing a friend or her parents’ car when she needs to run the kids to various activities or medical reasons.
Kasi is renting an apartment but was recently told by her landlord the rent will be going up $200/month starting in February. This is a very stressful situation because her kids may have to move school districts mid-year. She is currently trying to find an affordable place that would keep her in the same school district. There are not a lot of options because leases in the winter aren’t very common. Despite this, she’s keeping her head up and taking one step at a time.
Kasi’s sister said that she is consistently one of the most positive people I know, always making the best of a situation. She’s funny, and caring – she’ll be the first to offer to help someone around her. Her kids are reflective of her – they are caring, loving, sweet boys. They do well in school, are polite and fun.
See Kasi’s 60 Days Surprise on WQOW 18 NEWS
David Hanson’s Story (Submitted by Dan Schumacher, Director of Athletics, UW-Eau Claire):
For almost four decades, Dave Hanson has been the voice of the local sports scene, broadcasting over one thousand high school games, Eau Claire Cavaliers baseball, and UW-Eau Claire games including NCAA DIII national championships.
Dave is an Eau Claire institution, who travels around the Chippewa Valley for his broadcasting duties. In 2012 he won the Jim Mueller Blugold Spirit Award, an award that recognizes someone outside the UW-Eau Claire athletics program who has made contributions to the program for an extended period of time. He is a selfless, humble man who also cares for is aging mother and served as the guardian for Special Olympian Billy Noss for more than 20 years. Dave put many miles on his vehicle as he drove Billy wherever he needed to go until Billy’s passing a few years ago. This includes him taking on the financial burden of Billy’s memorial service and burial.
Dave’s vehicle broke down last March and couldn’t be saved. He was driving his mom’s old car, a 2002 Mercury Sable with 266,000 miles. Dave never let anyone know and carried out all his duties never missing any scheduled event. It was just recently we found out about his situation as he was walking from Carson Park after announcing a football game to UW-Eau Claire’s Zorn Arena to announce a basketball game. He’s had to rent vehicles when absolutely necessary, taken the bus or walked to area venues to set up and broadcast his games – the passion of his life. As always, Dave arrives with a smile and does his thing – never mentioning his transportation issues.
He is a truly deserving individual and class act who will pay it forward.
Community Involvement. One of the many perks of being a part of the Mega! CO-OP Team! Our team recently took part in the 2019 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin Annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake Fundraiser!
of Addiction Studies! Her round trip is over 4 hours in a 2004 vehicle with over 150,000 and not safe anymore! Did I mention she has overcome drug & alcohol addiction herself 7 years ago, is a single mother of Nova Faye age 5 without any financial assistance, graduated from UWEC last spring 2018, teaching yoga, meditation, healing all over the Chippewa Valley, is very involved in AA/NA, as well specifically trying to help teens with AODA! Now she is commuting for the next 1 1/2 to Hazelden so she can get her Masters degree and become a certified counselor. Her car is literally on its last leg and Kirsten “Abby” is in college debt. This car that Morrie’s would provide, not only would benefit my hard working daughter and granddaughter, but truly will have an impact on our community. Her network is unreal and so many people in the Chippewa Valley will benefit if she can continue her graduate studies! And, all her students that depend on her for yoga, Koudolini, yin yoga, etc.
periodically in Rochester. Sarah’s other daughter who is 14 years old, was just diagnosed last week with a very rare bone cancer. They found that it has spread throughout her body and will be starting chemo today at Mayo in Rochester. She will be going through 14 weeks of treatment, 3 days at a time so they will be driving back and forth a lot. I know she could really use reliable transportation and help with gas money as it is unclear how much time she will need off of work. I can’t imagine how devastating it is to go through something like this and feel that she could really use any glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation.