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February 7, 4-6:30pm
Business Social Hour - Register
Madison Breakfast Rotary at Vitense Golfland
February 12, 11:30am
Ambassador Committee
Gilda's Club
February 14, 8am (7:45 Registration)
Ask the Expert: Generating Great Relationships (and Business) From Networking - Register
Edgewood College - Deming Way Campus
February 15, 10am-5pm
Open House & Ribbon Cutting (10am)
Embrace Wellness - 8309 Murphy Drive
February 21, 12pm
Economic Development Briefing: Beth Russell, Russell Law - Register
Wisconsin Bank & Trust
February 22, 11:45am
Brown Bag Lunch & Learn: Federal Tax Changes Affecting Business - Register
Middleton Chamber Office
February 27, 11:45am
Lunch & Learn: Sit, Stand or Move--Rethinking Workplace Ergonomics - Register
Monona Bank - Parmenter Street
March 1, 7:30am
Get Moving Middleton - Register
Hilton Garden Inn
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New Members
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BizOptimizer Consulting
Stoughton
(608) 516-9208
www.BizOptimizer.US
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Boomerang Badger Painting
1101 Pontiac Trail
(608) 977-1871
www.boomerangbadger.com
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Century 21 Affiliated - Middleton
6421 University Avenue
(608) 575-6146
www.c21affiliated.com
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Discover Life Chiropractic
6138 Mineral Point Rd
608) 620-4434
www.godiscoverlife.com
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Madison Property Restoration, LLC
1412 Parkside Drive, #1226
(608) 467-3360
www.madisonpropertyrestoration.com
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Trowbridge Martial Arts Academy
330 Junction Road
(608) 833-2967
www.trowbridgemartialarts.com
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
Interview with Cindy Herbst
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Interview by Ramona Larrow
Ramona is the Sales Manager for Days Inn & Suites and Best Western West Town Suites. Her days are filled with networking, bringing new business into the hotels, building relationships and having fun--doing it all with a finesse most people can't comprehend. When she isn't working, she enjoys downtime with her husband/best friend, reading almost anything that catches her interest, cooking, writing, and crocheting; she also owns Altered Words, a freelance copy-writing services company.
Meet: Cindy Herbst
Director, Restoring Hope Transplant House
Describe a typical day for you at Restoring Hope Transplant House? Did you choose this profession, or did it choose you?
I typically get to RHTH most days around 6:00 am to prepare breakfast for our transplant families. Most of our families are immersed in very high stress hospital situations so a healthy breakfast and lively conversation before they leave for a full day at the hospital really helps to set a positive tone for the day. It is so much more than just a warm meal - it is a gathering that leads to great days and that directly impacts the loved ones at the hospital. From there it is a full day of work mixed with sharing a home with transplant families from all across the country who so often grow to be like our own family during what can often be very lengthy stays.
The inspiration for Restoring Hope Transplant House came from a very personal journey with multiple myeloma for my father-in-law many years ago. During his time at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota our family enjoyed the Gift of Life Transplant House and in the back of our minds we often thought how wonderful it would be to bring a similar house and caring environment here to the Madison area for transplant families like ours to call home while in search of their own personal second chance at life through the miracle of transplantation at nearby UW Hospital. Our family also knows that this can also be a generation type of health challenge.
I also believe from looking at the present through the rear view mirror, I have seen my background in tourism and running hotels (born in Door County), to working in a large church doing their operations and then moving to pastoral care for sick and dying, hospice trained, single moms, and grief work be incredible training for what is needed here.
What are the most interesting aspects of what you do?
Since opening our doors here in downtown Middleton in 2013, we have welcomed transplant families from all parts of Wisconsin, 36 different states and as far away as Canada, Hong Kong, London, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico. Many have come to call Middleton home and fell in love with the many incredible Good Neighbor restaurants, events and activities we have all come to enjoy. We have shared hugs, tears and laughs, experienced the soul-crushing loss of loved ones and personally witnessed enough miracles to fill the pages of a good book. Without question, it is the people that make this house a home and why I love what I do each and every day.
What is the hardest part of what you do?
As a non-profit, the greatest challenge when we are so immersed in the daily challenges of our transplant family members is trying to always make time to continue raising the necessary funds to keep the doors open for these families in need. Our collective hearts hang on daily hospital updates from our guests and those relationships make this house what it is, but the long term success of Restoring Hope Transplant House really depends upon the generosity of so many community-minded Good Neighbors whose on-going support makes this all possible.
It is also very difficult to lose patients and their family members that pass away. They have become family. It is worth the grieving in every case, because they enrich our lives and it is better to hurt, than to not have known them at all.
What inspires you to do what you do?
We have walked this transplant walk and there were others who took this journey that acted as guides for us. I have also had brain surgery and have lupus, so we share many things in common. I feel as if we are paying it forward.
Sharing a home with people while they are going through what likely will be the greatest physical, emotional and financial struggle of their life has a way of creating a very strong and special bond among the people who share those moments together. The moments inside those journeys are among the most powerful ones I have experienced in my lifetime.
How do you feel you impact people the most in doing what you do?
The caregiver role is so critical to recovery and that oftentimes gets overlooked and unappreciated. Just being there each and every day and being an eager listener and loyal friend makes such a huge difference. To be available at all times with full hearts is probably what we do best and I think that shows with our guests and is the main reason why so many return on a regular basis for checkups and follow-ups. The most impactful is actually bearing witness-being present.
Is there any one story from Restoring Hope that makes you happy that you chose to start the home?
Our friend Jim from Clintonville, WI needed a bone marrow transplant a few years ago to beat cancer. The best chance for Jim was to find a match within his family. The only problem with that was that Jim was adopted at a very young age and now in his 40's had never established any form of contact with his birth family.
One of Jim's adopted sisters from Sacramento, CA went in search of Jim's birth parents and managed to track them down with the help of a non-profit group. She mustered up the courage to call the number they provided not knowing how she would be received but knowing that the health of her brother likely depended on her bravery and her careful choice of words. To her relief, the call, while met with complete shock, was well received. Turns out Jim's birth parents were from San Francisco and were unwed teenage parents at a time when such things were very much frowned upon. They often thought about their son and regretted their decision. They also went on to have two more kids after Jim who were never told of Jim's existence. The conversation ended pleasantly with a promise to call back once they had time to absorb this all and share it with their two children. A couple weeks later, that call was returned and to the family's relief, members of Jim's birth family agreed to be tested to see if they could be the life-saving match Jim so badly needed. Results came back quickly and Jim's birth sister Heather was a perfect match. The first night Jim and Heather ever spent together was the night Heather flew from San Francisco to come and save her brother's life. Jim, Heather and Jim's adopted family all called Restoring Hope Transplant House home that incredible evening.
Jim is currently doing very well health wise years later, since found the love of his life, recently proposed to her in Paris and they are due to be married in March.
There have been so many amazing people and incredible stories, but this one in particular had all the makings of a real life best seller and it all played out here in Middleton, Wisconsin.
What is your favorite way to relax and de-stress from the day?
I have been very blessed to have 4 adult children and 5 wonderful grandchildren who have completely captured my heart and fill what free time I do have with such joy. RHTH is a consuming labor of love, but there will always be quality time for the kids and grandkids no matter how busy and demanding life can be.
What is something that people are always surprised to learn about you?
I was born in Door County and raised in Green Bay which often leads to some pretty incredible conversations with our guests, considering the greater Green Bay area is our largest concentration of transplant families. After high school I moved back to Door County to learn as much as possible about tourism and supporting the local community. Essential for living in Door County year-round. Al Schneider, founder of Schneider National Trucking was my mentor when he spotted a very green 20-year old with more enthusiasm than wisdom, and was willing to bring his business to educate and train me in the world of hospitality and service.
What would you say to your teenage self if you could go back in time?
Your passions in life will fill your adulthood with great joys and busy days, so travel the world and experience all it has to offer while you still have the chance. Volunteer as much as you can to have a taste of getting beyond yourself. Wisdom comes along the way so to those who are driven, remember to play a bit.
How can people help you achieve your mission at Restoring Hope?
As with any non-profit, fundraising is the ultimate key to Restoring Hope Transplant House becoming a long-term fixture in the Middleton community. Our operating expenses are significant when our guests only pay a very modest $45.00 per night and those expenses are rising each year as our occupancy also increases.
2017 was our busiest year yet since opening our doors in 2013 as we also began hosting transplant families from the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in addition to our regular UW Hospital transplant families.
Please help share news of our efforts and our incredible families to those who may have their hearts as completely moved as we are on a daily basis. Our family has grown up in Middleton over the years and this is a very special place to us. We are very proud of what we do here at Restoring Hope Transplant House and are moved beyond words about how many of our visitors have come to call our community their home away from home, but we need your help and support to share our passion with others in the hopes that we may sustain this home for families in need for many years to come!
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2/1
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Ready to Grow Your Dental Practice?, SVA
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2/3
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Blizzard Blast 2018, Easter Seals Wisconsin
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2/6
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Marketing for Small Business, SCORE Madison
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2/6
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Volunteer Orientation, Agrace
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2/7
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Tax Reform & Its Impact on Your Business, SVA
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2/8
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Apps & Taps Networking Fundraiser, REACH-A-Child
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2/8
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Biz Smart Training for Entrepreneurs, UW Small Business Dev.
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2/8
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Common Recruiting Mistakes & How to Correct, Lift Consulting
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2/8
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The Perfect Storm, ADIO Chiropractic
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2/9
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Valentine's Day Special, Flemings Prime Steakhouse
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2/9-19
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Madison Hotel Week, HotelRED
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2/10-18
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Valentine's Day Package, Radisson Hotel
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2/13
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Freedom from Chronic Ear Infections, ADIO Chiropractic
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2/13
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Investment & Tax Update, SVA
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2/13
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A Valentine's Affair, Capital Brewery
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More Info
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2/15
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Target Audiences & Tracking ROI on Facebook, Tingalls
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More Info
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2/16
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Hearts for Helping Gala, Big Brothers Big Sisters Dane County
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2/20
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Medicare Made Simple, SVA
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2/22
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Volunteer Night, REACH-A-Child
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2/22
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Website Keyword Research, Tingalls
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2/24
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Bockfest, Capital Brewery
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Members on the Move
Announcements|Awards|Hires & Promotions
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dane County Small Business Awards, In Business Dane County Small Business Awards are now accepting applications.
Two Men and A Truck Employee Takes Community Leadership Position, Two Men and A Truck Marketing Coordinator, Michael Fiez, has been named Marketing and Communication Officer for LINC, United Way of Dane County's newest leadership giving group.
The Alliance Receives $5k Grant, The Alliance received a matching grant of $5,000 from the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions to hold an obesity forum.
The Alliance Call for Nominations, The Alliance is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Health Transformation Award for individuals or organizations who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment or achievement in transforming health care.
The UPS Store Offers Passport Services, Need to renew or apply for a passport? The UPS Store can do all the work for you.
Jenny Larsen Featured in InBusiness, Catered Cocktails Founder, Jenny Larsen, was recently featured as In Business Magazine's Professional of the week.
New Capitol Square Branch for Old National, After more than two years of construction, Old National Bank has opened their doors on a new bank branch and Wisconsin Corporate Offices on the Capitol Square.
2018 Greenleaf Grants for Area Nonprofits, Greenleaf Media is excited to open up our annual nonprofit grant program for 2018.
IMEG Acquires Texas-Based BLW Security Group, BLW Security Group, a security consulting and engineering firm based near Austin, Texas, has been acquired by IMEG Corp.
Dane County Secures Property for New North Mendota Trail, On January 10, Dane County Executive Parisi announced the acquisition of a property in the Town of Westport that will be used to develop the much anticipated North Mendota Trail.
Nominations Open for Wisconsin Family Business of the Year Award, The 15th Annual Wisconsin Family Business of the Year Award is open for nominations from businesses throughout the state.
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A&J Property Restoration, DKI
Agrace
Allstate -
Esser Insurance Services LLC
Amber Indian Cuisine
American Cancer Society
Angel's Wish Pet Adoption and Resource Center
Anytime Fitness
Boley Tree & Landscape Care
Borakove Osman, LLC
City of Middleton
Confectionique LLC
Conney Safety Products
Cousins Submarines Inc.
Dean Health Plan - SSM
Easter Seals Wisconsin
Edward Jones - Riley
Eno Vino Wine Bar & Bistro
Frank Liquor Co -
Frank Beer Distributors
Gio's Garden
Gunderson West Funeral Home
Hausmann-Johnson Insurance
Holy Wisdom Monastery
Home Savings Bank
Horizon Health & Fitness
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HotelRED
JDRF
Jersey Mike's Subs
Just in Time Refrigeration LLC
KMI - Kalish Masonry, LLC
Kothe Real Estate Partners
Lift Consulting
Link USA
Louisianne's Etc. Restaurant
M&M Office Interiors, Inc.
Madison Capitols
McDonald's Restaurant -
Allen Blvd
McDonald's Restaurant - Greenway Blvd
Memorial Pet Services, Inc.
Middleton Review
Mid-West Digital Marketing
Morey Airplane Company, Inc.
Network Engineering Technologies (NET)
OccuPaws Guide Dog Assoc.
Pleasant View Golf Course
Prepare Parents LLC
Restaino & Associates -
The Markley Team
RxFinancial
Saving U Time LLC
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Scott Harrington Landscape and Tree Service
Spencer X Smith
Sprinkman Real Estate
St. Vincent de Paul Madison
Stark Company Realtors - Roche
Steve Brown Apartments
Stoppleworth Plumbing, Ltd.
StoryFirst Media LLC
Stroud Real Estate at First Weber
Suppz Middleton
SVA Certified Public
Accountants, S.C.
SwimWest Swim School
Tabby & Jacks
TDS Telecom
The Business Source LLC
The Storage Guy, LLC
Tony Trapp Remodeling & Repairs, LLC
United Way of Dane County
UW Provision Company, Inc.
Valencia Place Apartments - Prime Urban Properties
Waterstone Mortgage Corporation
Work Plus Inc.
Zingg Design, Inc.
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Celebrating 5 Years
HotelRED
Magic Wash Car Wash
Celebrating 10 Years
Anytime Fitness
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
LegalShield - Susan Oja
Orange Shoe Personal Fitness
Stoppleworth Plumbing
Celebrating 15 Years
AutoColor
Valencia Place Apartments - Prime Urban Properties
Thank You for Your Continued Membership!
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