Fund Spotlight: The Anthony Fund
July 1, 2022
 | By Jamie Schloegel, Chief Executive Officer |
Honoring the memory of Anthony Fimple
This past Monday marked the second anniversary of Anthony Fimple’s death. He was shot and killed while working as a bouncer at a downtown La Crosse bar in June 2020. It was the summer after Anthony’s high school graduation, and he had only a few weeks left before his departure to serve his country in the US Navy. A decision he had made to follow in his father’s footsteps.
The Anthony Fund at La Crosse Community Foundation was established by Anthony’s family on the first anniversary of his passing. It serves as a tribute to his kind spirit, giving nature, and education to his community. Even though his life was cut short by violence, his example will live on through philanthropy in his name.
A source of healing by creating positive community impact
When the strength of a family is severely tested, what follows can sometimes be profoundly uplifting. Here at La Crosse Community Foundation, I’ve seen firsthand how philanthropy can be a powerful source of healing. The Anthony Fund is one of many funds at the foundation established to memorialize and celebrate the passing of a loved one. The permanence of a fund at the foundation provides the comfort of a positive legacy that will extend forever.
Such is the mission of The Anthony Fund: to be a positive force for good in our community, and wherever else there is need. The vision for the impact of the fund is to help create a community where kindness is common, and the well-being of others is placed first. Grants from the fund support issues and needs that were important to Anthony, like nature conservancy, feeding and sheltering those without homes and assisting our elders. Throughout his young life, you could find Anthony involved in volunteering activities involving these and many other needs.
Anthony’s Day 2022
La Crosse Community Foundation invites you to help carry out the mission of The Anthony Fund by joining your friends and neighbors at Anthony’s Day 2022 on July 10 at Myrick Park. Proceeds from the second annual celebration of life for Anthony will go to WisCorps to help bring an Urban Ecology Center to La Crosse.
Anthony’s Day 2022 will be a day of food, music, and fun for community members of all ages. Come enjoy an art show, participate in a live mural painting, sign-up for the disc golf or cornhole tournaments, or just come to help spread the message of kindness.
More information about the event can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Anthonys-Day-2022-111955674836247