Amy was nominated for People of Portage County because Amy is a phenomenal teacher in our community and very involved in multiple initiatives that benefit our community. Recently, she created a community fundraising effort on social media called, Making an Impact with only $5 a Month. In no time at all, the group grew to over 1,200 members who have all come together to help to make a difference for others. Each month, group members contribute $5 to a family or person they likely don't even know. If and whenever possible, the money collected each month is put toward items such as gift cards, paying bills, and items of need rather than simply a monetary gift. Amy takes ideas and suggestions from others to find new ways to help those that need it, and often those contributing don't even know who or where their donation is going until Amy updates the group afterward. The blind faith people have in Amy is well deserved. People in the group and in our area as a whole know that Amy is honest, trustworthy, and eager to help anyone she can.

You can find out more about the $5 Making an Impact on Facebook by looking at their group,  It is Making an Impact with $5 a Month. This year they have already donated about $25,000 dollars to folks in need of a little extra help. Some of things they have helped with are rent to secure homes for people, covering the costs of roofs, water heaters, and furnaces.  They have provided gift cards for various needs, helped fund a trip to Florida for a family who had their Make A Wish trip cancelled due to COVID. They have been able to help pay for parents to return to school to get their G.E.D. and they have helped cover medical expenses for families as well as helped pay for hotel stays for families who have been displaced due to fire.

Amy says the idea started with a discussion with a few girlfriends saying how cool it would be if they could get 20 friends to each chip in $5 a month and give away $100 a month to a person who needs it. Then they said it would be really cool if they could tell their friends and get 100 people and give away $500.  That turned into having about 400 consistent donors each month resulting in giving away about $2000 a month so far in 2020.  It's been incredible to see how people are so excited and willing to help out total strangers.  We live in a great community.

Amy was born in Illinois and moved to the Stevens Point area when she was 12. She taught special education at PJs for 16 years, then worked in the Portage County Juvenile Detention Center for two years.  She has been teaching full time for the Stevens Point School Distract for 19 years and she works part-time for CAP services at the Family Crisis Center as a Shelter Advocate supporting victims of Domestic Violence.  This year she is supporting students through E Learning grades 6-9.

Amy says she has a great support system of family, friends and coworkers that have helped get her where she is today.

What did you overcome to be here now?
Having faith that things will work out one way or another and believing that change is good for all of us.

Amy's Favorites:

Food: Tacos or anything that even slightly resembles a taco

Book: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Quote: “The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.”– Robert F. Kennedy

What makes you happy?
Spending time with her family and watching others be successful

And.. 

When the Bears beat the Packers (although it doesn't happen enough)

How does living in Portage County influence you?
It is my home.  I take ownership in my community and it is small enough that we can all really make an impact on others.

What can people from the community learn from you?
That even the little things can make a big difference in others.  You may think you have nothing to give but just giving someone your time is often all that is needed. Give to others simply for the sake of giving, not because you wish to get something back in return.

What is your most deeply held belief?
That we are all capable of making a difference in one way or another if we choose to do so.

What is the hardest truth you've ever learned?
You can't work harder for those you are trying to help than they are willing to work in order help themselves.