This season of 60 Days of Giving was truly special. Last month we took part in Morrie’s Chippewa Valley Mazda first of two 60 Days of Giving 
surprises to veteran James Heber. In the spirit of giving, James was also gifted a new car by someone else so he wanted to pay it forward and have the car given to him by Morrie’s go to someone else who needed it. Which brings us to last Thursday, January 3, 2019, where we were humbled to take part in not one, but two 60 Days of Giving events in one day to Abby Schroeder and Sarah Sturtz. Each giveaway including a free car from Morrie’s CV Mazda, as well as a year’s worth of free gas from Mega! CO-OP and additional generous gifts from Metropolis Resort.
Abby Schroeder’s Story (as told by her Mother):
My daughter, Kirsten “Abby” Schroeder is (by a miracle) commuting to Center City, MN attending the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School 
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.
See Abby’s 60 Days Surprise via Our Live Facebook Video
Sarah Sturtz’s Story (as told by her co-workers):
In the last 4 years, her oldest daughter has undergone major heart surgery and currently lives with an aneurysm that they monitor 
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.
See Abby’s 60 Days Surprise via Our Live Facebook Video
We were thrilled to be able to take part in the first of two of Morrie’s Chippewa Valley Mazda 60 Days of Giving today in Chippewa Falls. The first winner of a free car from Morrie’s CV Mazda and a year’s worth of free gas from Mega! CO-OP Holiday was James Heber. James is a homeless veteran living at the Veterans Housing and Recoving Program at Pine Hall in Chippewa Falls. James was nominated by his case manager, Dana Schimmel.
Chippewa Falls. James has been working very hard at getting his life back on track. James works full time at a gas station and rides his bike 7-8 miles to his job every day. saving money, however is in need of a vehicle to better his commute to his job. James has recently completed a 36′ painted mural at the program displaying the life of a veteran and some of their hardships they deal with.
Some of our Mega! Co-op team members joined in helping their local community through the United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley “Day of Caring” Event on Friday, September 15 at the Bolton Refuge House. The team took care of weeding, adding mulch, as well as trimmed and cleaned up the landscaping around the facility. Thank you to all those who came out to show their support and our amazing team who constantly put their passion for their local community on display!
