HAVEN (Household Abuse Victims Emergency Network) is grateful to Culver’s of Merrill for holding a fundraiser to benefit the agency’s work on June 30. The fundraiser included a bake sale plus a percentage of Culver’s sales from that day.
This was not the usual bake sale where many people donate baked goods to be sold. For this sale, and others Culver’s has hosted to benefit community organizations, the baking has all been done by Pat Taylor, the mother of Culver’s co-owner Lori Wakefield. Lori and her husband, Joe, opened Culver’s in Merrill several years ago. Pat is originally from Wisconsin but lived her married life in Oklahoma. After her husband passed away, she returned to Wisconsin, and works at Culver’s during the school year. She says she’s been doing the bake sales during the warmer months of the year.
Pat’s specialty is pies, both fruit and cream varieties, plus she bakes breads, cookies and bars. Pat gets up before the sun to bake fruit pies the day before the sale, and then she’s up extra early on sale day to make the cream pies so they are really fresh. Pat donates her time, talent and ingredients, and Lori helps with the containers. Pat also personally staffs the bake sale until everything is sold.
Pat proudly points out that Culver’s was named the Mid-Sized Business of the Year 2013 by the Merrill Chamber of Commerce and recognized for “Community Citizenship,” so apparently the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. HAVEN appreciates the generosity of both Pat and Culver’s for the $600 donation received from the fundraiser, and thanks all those who made purchases from the bake sale and the restaurant on June 30.
HAVEN serves those who have been affected by domestic abuse and sexual assault by providing shelter, advocacy and resources. Call to talk with an advocate 24 hours at 715-536-1300.
Look for HAVEN in Normal Park at the Wednesday and Thursday night concerts selling popcorn, lemonade and ice cream bars. HAVEN bingo is held every Sunday night at Lincoln Lanes, doors open at 5:30 p.m. And HAVEN will be selling hot dogs and other treats at the 4-H Dog Project Competition on Saturday, July 26 at the Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. until noon. Proceeds from the open class competition at that event will also go to benefit HAVEN. The staff and clients of HAVEN are always grateful for the ongoing support received from the community.