Inspired by an incredible boy named Kaden, Hausmann-Johnson hosted our second annual Kaden's Wish Tailgate before the UW Badgers football game on September 26th, 2015, and raised $48,000 for Make-A-Wish® Wisconsin!
Smiley Kaden!Kaden is ten-years-old, and has a rare form of a mitochondrial disease called Leigh syndrome. In 2011 he and his family were granted his wish by Make-A-Wish Wisconsin to go to Walt Disney World. He had such a life-changing experience on that trip, that upon his return he decided that he wanted to raise money for Make-A-Wish to grant 100 more wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Please click here to visit Kaden's website for more information on him and his story.
When we heard about Kaden's ambitious and altruistic goal, we decided to follow his lead, and associate Paige Butler (HJI Event Planner), along with a Tailgate Committee, took the initiative to continue the tradition. After a warm response from our 2014 tailgate that raised $32,155 to grant five wishes, we decided to set 2015's fundraising goal at an achievable $24,000, which is the equivalent of four wishes. When we started hearing back from our sponsorship and donation requests, we quickly realized that we were going to exceed this goal!
Our goal of four wishes turned into Kaden being able to grant eight wishes to other children with life-threatening illnesses!
Jillianne's Family (on the left) and Kaden’s Family (on the right) holding the final check to Make-A-Wish Wisconsin®
Paige Butler (HJI Event Planner), Steve Stark (Kaden’s Father), Kaden Stark, Nicole Williams (Make-A-Wish Madison Regional Director), and Craig Butler (HJI Vice President of Operations & Principal)
The event was attended by about 290 people and featured Kaden presenting one of his eight wishes to Jillianne, a deserving child who also wishes to go to Walt Disney World. There were also an appearance by Bucky Badger, 50/50 cash raffle, and all-you-can-eat-and-drink brats, hot dogs, sugar cookies, and beverages.
Steve Stark (Kaden’s Father), Barry Richter, (HJI President & Principal), Kaden Stark, Paige Butler (HJI Event Planner), and Nicole Williams (Make-A-Wish Madison Regional Director)
Bucky showing Kaden some moves!
We were so overwhelmed by the positive responses we received from our clients and community businesses that we reached out to for sponsorship and donation requests. This event truly would not have been such a success without the help of the following Event Sponsors and Event Donors:
Event Sponsors:
- Woodman's Food Market
- The Alexander Company
Game Day Regent Street Banner for Event Sponsors and Gold Donors - Full Compass Systems
- Bucky's Rentals
- American Printing Company
- Cincinnati Insurance
- Mega Rentals
- Tool's of Marketing
- Pellitteri
- Felly's Flowers
- Market Street Diner
- Great Dane
Event Donors:
- The Alder Group
- QBE Insurance
- Travelers Insurance
- Sentry Insurance
- Group Health Cooperative
- EMC Insurance
- WPS
- Unity Health
- West Bend
- Society Insurance
- Delta Dental Insurance
- Findorff
- Certco
- Chubb
- Arbor Green
- Middleton Bank
This event was also made possible thanks to hard-working associates at Hausmann-Johnson! From promoting the event to friends, families, and clients, to heavy-lifting before, during and after the event, our associates were integral to the success of this event!
HJI Volunteers
Click Here to See More Pictures from the Event!
Click Here to See NBC 15's News Coverage of the Event!
Make-A-Wish Wisconsin grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions in order to provide them and their families with breaks from hospital visits and medical procedures. Their wishes enrich their lives and provide hope, strength, joy, and often aid their healing processes. The Wisconsin chapter was founded n 1984 and has granted over 5,000 wishes. More more information on this organization, please visit their website: www.wisconsin.wish.org.
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