Fabulous Friendships and Fundraising

by Ginger Venable, Event and Project Manager

Dedicated volunteers make a huge difference at Hammer by donating their time, talents, and treasures!

Jean, Jo Ann, Carol, and Donna volunteer almost every Thursday morning at the central office. They volunteered from home during part of COVID-19, but they are back in the office now.

We are thrilled to have them with us in person; they are near and dear to Hammer. Together, they have shared many talents and skills, doing a wide variety of assignments, from cooking Thanksgiving meals, to folding and stuffing envelopes to send to you, our supporters.

This friendly group has been volunteering together for so many years that coming to Hammer is one of their favorite things to do together. They take pride in being very efficient, but spend the morning laughing and joking about their lives and some of the wacky projects we give them. They have a great sense of humor.

In addition to volunteering every week, they make financial donations to Hammer as well. From cash gifts honoring caregivers to monthly giving, to Give to the Max Day matches and contributions from their IRAs. Giving is at their core.

Jean Nelson is a vital member of the Hammer family. Her husband, Tim Nelson, devoted his life to Hammer since 1977 and was appointed CEO in 1998. Tim passed away while CEO of Hammer in 2011. With his sudden death, Jean found support from their Hammer friends, employees, supporters, and family members. Jean set up the Tim Nelson Legacy Fund and raised over $54,000 for technology and innovation over the past ten years. She was so inspired by the love she felt at Hammer that she decided to start volunteering with the Thursday ladies. When she is not volunteering, Jean likes to garden and spend time with her nine young grandchildren.

Jean and Tim made over 400 financial gifts to Hammer since 1978 and have included Hammer in their will.

Jo Ann Koltes is a Hammer family member. Her daughter, Elizabeth, moved to Hammer in 1978, when she was 16 years old. “Whenever I meet someone with a disability, I always say, ‘You have to check out Hammer!’ It's been a god-send for our entire family, and our daughter, Liz.” In addition to volunteering in the central office, Jo Ann has hosted spaghetti dinners for Hammer.

She has volunteered at Hammer’s Family Day Picnic for 29 years, bringing her entire extended family to the event over the years. She is an active volunteer, donor, and gives monthly in memory of her husband, Bob, and daughter, Becky. Jo Ann has volunteered since 1978 and made 268 gifts to Hammer. She trusts Hammer to put the money where it is needed the most. “When my daughter, Becky Gromek, suddenly passed away, her husband, Donny, and I agreed that in lieu of flowers, memorials would be requested to Hammer. Becky

Donna, Carol, Jean, and Jo Ann (clockwise) assembled 400 DSP Appreciation gifts.

was always very kind, loving, and generous, and Hammer has been a big part of her legacy,” says Jo Ann. To date, more than 90 gifts of all sizes have been received in memory of Becky, a testimony to the love so many had for her and her selfless commitment to others. Jo Ann’s ninth grandchild is on the way this winter. In addition to volunteering at Hammer, Jo Ann volunteers at her church and CEAP, but her heart is with Hammer.

Carol Gottschalk is Jo Ann’s sister-in-law and neighbor. She has volunteered at Hammer since 1993. Carol says, “I just love coming to Hammer! The staff is so caring. We get hugs and they are always so happy we are here. Everyone from the CEO on down stops by to check in with a greeting. We’d do anything for you guys!”… and she is the self-proclaimed grumpy one!

Carol has stepped up again and again, however and whenever she is needed. From making birthday cards for everyone at Hammer, to baking cookies for Give to the Max Day, to serving Thanksgiving meals, Carol has developed deep connections with the people served at Hammer.

Carol has witnessed the decades of support, her niece, Elizabeth has received from caregivers, volunteers, and donors. She knows that in addition to her volunteer work, the need for financial support from families like hers is great. Donors’ dollars are key to Hammer’s mission of supporting individuals with developmental disabilities to live their lives to the fullest.

When Carol was taking care of her estate plans, she knew she wanted to include Hammer in her will. Carol’s estate gift will go to Hammer’s Area of Greatest Need, meaning it will be put to good use, immediately.

Donna Gorski is the self-proclaimed bossy one, using her organizational skills to keep the group on task. Donna is neighbors with Jo Ann and Carol. She has volunteered since 2008, after hearing such great things about Hammer.

In addition to being on the Thursday morning team she has volunteered in the nursing department. Donna helped the nursing department move online by organizing, scanning, and filing years’ worth of medical records. Her contribution of time and organizational skills saved our nursing team hundreds of hours.

In addition to volunteering, Donna makes financial gifts on a regular basis. When she is not volunteering at Hammer, Donna loves to travel, especially with her grandkids, and often shares stories of her travel when she returns to Hammer to volunteer. During one of their recent Thursday mornings at Hammer, the ladies shared their feelings about giving their time, talents, and treasures to Hammer.

We have seen many changes over the years, but we know that Hammer does their very best to put the people they serve first. The staff is super and in addition to our financial donations, we’re proud to free up staff time for more important work!” These “fabulous four ladies” give in so many ways and it is hard to put into words the impact they have made on Hammer and all the individuals they have served throughout their lifetime commitment. Thank you, Jean, Jo Ann, Carol, and Donna!

“We’ve volunteered and donated to a variety of places in our lives and Hammer is by far the most gratifying.” — The Thursday Ladies

The Thursday ladies have a combined 7,000 hours volunteering for Hammer!

To learn more about how to get involved as a volunteer, advocate, or donate call us at 952-473-1261 or go to Hammer.org.