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Community Foundation Honors Philanthropic Leaders
8/27/2008

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN

500 Third Street, Suite 310, Wausau, WI 54403

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              For further information contact

August 27, 2008                                                                         Jean Tehan  715.845.9555

The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin recognized the late Lawrence and Jane Sternberg with the Spirit of Philanthropy Award at its August 26, 2008 Donor Appreciation Picnic along the Wisconsin River Edge Walkway. Community Foundation board president Linda Prehn acknowledged the Sternbergs for their leadership, vision, generosity, service, integrity, and selfless dedication to this community during their lifetime as well as their generous bequest to the community. 

In announcing the award, Prehn stated, “Today we as a community remember and honor a couple who believed in the importance of the Wisconsin River edge to the growth and development of downtown Wausau. They had a vision for the future, a determination to leave a legacy to support that vision, and the generosity to make sure that vision became a reality for the community they loved.”

A $1 million bequest from the Lawrence and Jane Sternberg estate has been added to the already established Lawrence and Jane Sternberg River Edge Development Fund to provide for the development, enhancement, and beautification of the Wisconsin River Edge in Wausau. The Community Foundation board has been entrusted as stewards by the Sternbergs with the responsibility of assessing needs, and monitoring progress and results of river edge development efforts, enabling the City of Wausau to focus and prioritize downtown parkway development and accelerate the timeline to complete it. 

In addition, the newest members of the Community Foundation’s Society of Founders were announced - Charles & Ginger Alden, Frederick & Linda Prehn, Bob & Elie Reid, River Valley Bank, Dwight & Linda Davis, the Dudley Foundation, Paul & Debbie Gassner, the Juedes-Molinaro Family Foundation, and Jim & Susan Lundberg.

The Society of Founders recognizes the generosity of donors who have supported the Foundation’s Wausau·Marathon County Fund with a gift of $10,000 or greater.  The Wausau·Marathon County Fund is one of the most flexible resources to address our community’s most pressing needs in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, and preservation of our resources.

The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin is a nonprofit community corporation, created by and for the people of north central Wisconsin. It exists to enrich life for present and future generations.  

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