What's Inside:

• 2026 Pillars of the Community Honoree Announced
• October Donor Philanthropy Summit Recap
• Honoring Our Donors: A Special Evening with the Mequon K9 Unit
• Lori Lorenz, MTCF President, Receives MT Chamber 2025 Distinguished Service Award
• Grant Sommer Joins the MTCF Board of Directors
• Supporting Our Police: MTCF Raising Funds for Two New Vehicles
• Fall 2025 Grants Awarded
• Grant Awarded to Thiensville Historic Preservation Commission
• MTCF Benefits as Arby’s Charity of the Month

2026 Pillars of the Community Honoree Announced

MTCF is proud to announce that James (Jim) F. Marshall, Chairman-Founder of Spectrum Investment Advisors, has been selected as the 2026 Pillar of the Community Award recipient. Jim exemplifies what it means to be a true community pillar—someone whose leadership, generosity, and forward-thinking vision have strengthened Mequon and Thiensville for more than three decades. "When Jim joins a local non-profit board it GROWS!,” shared MTCF Advisory Board Member Dean Rennicke. “He immerses himself into the cause and makes sure he involves others along the way. Every board I have had the pleasure of sitting on with Jim has seen growth because he has gone out and found new people to get involved."

To learn more about Jim, his career, and his dedication to the community, please click the link below.

Save the Date!

The Pillars of the Community fundraising luncheon will be held on June 2nd at the River Club of Mequon. More details to come!

Giving Advisory Team members pictured left to right: Ryan Gray, Richmond Investment Services; Matthew Richmond, Richmond Investment Services; Ellie Becker, O’Leary Guth Law Office, S.C.; Jeremy Guth, O’Leary Guth Law Office, S.C.; and Chris Doughty, Gentian Financial, Inc.

MTCF hosted the Future Anchored in Benevolence (FAB) Philanthropy Summit in October, proudly presented by its Giving Advisory Team (GAT). The GAT was formed to help guide, advise, and coordinate gift planning, donations, tax and investment strategies, and estate planning.



Greg Sommersberger, a GAT member, introduced the keynote speaker, Timothy Steffen, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA®, Director of Advanced Planning at Baird. Steffen shared valuable insights on the tax implications of the “Big Beautiful Bill” and how it affects charitable and legacy giving. His overview highlighted key strategies for maximizing the impact of your philanthropy while minimizing tax obligations.



Following Mr. Steffen’s address, GAT members led an engaging panel discussion covering essential topics such as preparing the next generation for legacy wealth, tax-smart giving strategies, and understanding charitable tools like Donor Advised Funds and Charitable Trusts. The panel explained how these resources can empower you to achieve your charitable goals and reduce tax exposure.

If you were unable to attend and would like more information, please see the recap and handouts at https://mtcfgives.org/donorevent/ or contact us at info@mtcfgives.org.

Pictured: Officer Van Laanen with K9 Yukon, Sergeant Graycarek, MTCF Director Jim Button, Chief Riley, Officer Bottoni with K9 Bogey, and MTCF Executive Director Deb Turk

MTCF had the pleasure of hosting a Donor Appreciation Event in partnership with the City of Mequon Police Department’s K9 Unit. The event was a celebration of community generosity and a behind-the-scenes look at the vital work our local officers and their four-legged partners do every day.

Guests enjoyed the opportunity to meet MPD Officers Bottoni and Van Laanen and spend time with their K9 partners Bogey and Yukon. In addition, they heard from Sergeant Graycarek about the department’s Crisis Intervention Initiatives and the exciting addition of a new therapy dog joining the force in 2026. According to the MPD, this is a community initiative designed to improve the outcomes of police interactions with people living with mental illnesses, reduce stress during emergency situations, and bring a sense of calm to both our officers and the community.

This inspiring program—and the continued success of the K9 Unit—is made possible by the generosity of MTCF donors. Your support helps ensure these dedicated teams can continue to serve and protect our community with compassion and care.

Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce 2025 Awards Recipients are (left to right): Angelica Niemann, Next Generation Leader; Lori Lorenz, Distinguished Service; Joe LaBarbera, Mid-State Insurance, Business of the Year; Wendy Francour, Citizen of the Year.

MTCF is proud to announce that MTCF President Lori Lorenz has been awarded the 2025 Distinguished Service Award by the Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented in October at the Chamber’s annual Awards Dinner, recognizing Lori’s exceptional leadership and lasting contributions to our community.

Since joining the MTCF board in 2017 and stepping into the role of President in 2021, Lori has led the foundation through a period of remarkable growth and innovation. Her accomplishments include:

• Expanding the foundation’s reach and assets
• Launching the Legacy Club to engage major donors
• Establishing a strong advisory board and new committees
• Creating fundraisers aligned with MTCF’s core pillars and community values
• Hosting the first Donor-Recipient Appreciation Event in 2023 and leading the 25th Anniversary Celebration in 2024
• Increasing MTCF’s visibility at local events such as Taste of Mequon and Downtown Thiensville gatherings

One of Lori’s most impactful initiatives was forging a partnership with the MT Trails Foundation, which raised $1.5 million for the new Pedestrian Trail connecting Rotary Park to the Ozaukee Interurban Trail—a legacy project that will benefit generations to come.

Beyond her work with MTCF, Lori dedicates over 30 hours a week to volunteer service. She serves on the executive board of the Rise and Shine in the Park Music Series, holds a leadership role with Impact100 Greater Milwaukee, and advises the Friends of the Jonathan Clark House Museum, among many other commitments.

Lori was also recently named a 2025 Difference Maker by Annex Wealth Management, a testament to her unwavering dedication to community service. Her ability to listen deeply and respond thoughtfully continues to inspire all who work alongside her.

We are honored to celebrate Lori’s achievements and grateful for her visionary leadership.

MTCF has appointed Sommer's Automotive co-owner Grant Sommer to our Board of Directors. Grant Sommer grew up in Mequon and attended St. Cecilia and St. James grade schools before graduating from Homestead High School in 2001. He went on to study at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, then moved to Chicago, where he worked in automotive advertising for three years and earned an Integrated Marketing certification from the University of Chicago.

In 2010, Grant returned to Southeastern Wisconsin to join the family business, Sommer’s Automotive in Mequon. He now co-owns the dealership with his father, Wally Sommer, selling new and preowned vehicles across Wisconsin and the Midwest. Grant got his start in the business washing cars after school and during summers between sports seasons. Today, Sommer’s employs about 120 full- and part-time team members. Grant also serves on several auto industry boards and a local charitable organization.

He and his wife have three children, ages 12, 10, and 7, who keep him on his toes. Grant enjoys a wide range of hobbies—running, pedal biking, motor biking, boating, playing guitar, and most recently, aviation—though his wife jokes he’s too scattered to master any one of them.

Grant is proud to serve the community that has given so much to his family and business.

Supporting Our Police:

MTCF Raising Funds for Two New Vehicles

A New K9 Squad Car for Yukon

The Mequon Police Department K9 Yukon is in need of a new vehicle. Each K9 team requires its own squad car, fully equipped to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the dog and handler. Yukon’s current vehicle was previously used by K9 Iron and is in need of replacement. The estimated cost for this vehicle is $60,000, which includes both purchase and specialized equipment. Thanks to a generous $20,000 donation already received, the department is well on its way toward meeting this goal.

Modern K9 vehicles now feature heat alarms that send alerts directly to the handler’s cellphone if the interior temperature rises to unsafe levels. This technology, along with remote release systems and secure transport equipment, is critical to protecting the dogs while enabling them to respond quickly in the line of duty.

In early 2026, the Mequon Police Department will welcome a therapy dog to its Crisis Intervention Initiatives team, bringing comfort and support to community members during times of stress or crisis. To ensure safe and reliable transportation, the department is seeking a crossover or midsize SUV capable of housing a standard kennel in the back. A new vehicle for the therapy dog is estimated at $41,000. No special modifications are needed, aside from a kennel in the rear, which the MPD already owns.

Unlike drug or tracking dogs, therapy dogs require far less specialized equipment. At this stage, the vehicle will simply need space for the kennel and basic transport needs. While advanced features such as climate control and temperature alarms may be considered in the future, the dog is expected to be with its handler nearly all the time, minimizing the need for such systems initially.

Your support can help bring these vital vehicles to our community. With the therapy dog program launching in early 2026 and the K9 unit continuing its essential work, every contribution ensures our officers and their canine partners have the tools they need to serve safely and effectively. Please click the button below to make a donation.

Fall 2025 Grants Awarded

The MTCF Board of Directors is pleased to announce the following grants that were awarded as part of their fall review cycle:

BOSS Baseball Academy - $3,500 to rebuild the batting cage at Lemke Park Baseball Field.

Jonathan Clark House Museum - $6,000 for exterior renovations.

Grant Awarded to Thiensville Historic Preservation Commission for Historic Landmark Plaques

MTCF Board Member Ron Gibb, Thiensville Village Administrator Colleen Landisch- Hansen, MTCF Executive Director Deb Turk, and MTCF Board Member Melissa Shneyder.

The Thiensville Historic Preservation Commission (Commission) typically budgets $1,000 each year to award a historic plaque. This year, thanks to a $5,000 grant from MTCF, the Commission was able to expand the program significantly and award six plaques instead of just one. Since the program began in 1998, the Commission has awarded a total of 33 plaques. This program ensures that Thiensville’s historic character is preserved and celebrated in a timely manner. Plaques are mounted on the individual buildings within the Thiensville historic district, documenting architectural descriptions and historical use.

MTCF Benefits as Arby’s Charity of the Month

Mequon Arby’s Manager Ray (pictured) and his team presented a check for $610 to MTCF President Lori Lorenz, as the recipient of the Arby’s AES Summer Fundraiser.