I am grateful for people again today: Judie and David Foster-Babcock.
Back last winter when I was running around talking about WeatherVane Creamery- before it even had a name- many people told me that I should get in touch with Judie. I knew the Foster name, of course- as any proper River Falls resident does. They are the founding family of the town. The great Joel Foster came to River Falls in 1847. Their name is everywhere: Foster Cemetery, Foster Road, Foster Community Foundation, Foster Sports, etc.
Here are Judie and David at WeatherVane’s Empowering Taste event
In January, the River Falls Chamber of Commerce helped promote WeatherVane Creamery with our Ice Cream Float A Go Go. It was there that Judie came to me. Not only did she come to taste some ice cream floats, but she had her iPad with her and was offering to show the indiegogo video to others and was selling WeatherVane Creamery right alongside me. I was both stunned and honored.
Judie was a great help that day and she and her husband, David, were generous contributors to WeatherVane Creamery’s indiegogo campaign. Judie is interested in honoring her ancestors by making a difference for the future of River Falls. That is why they are spearheading The Gathering Place Community Center. The Gathering Place is an amazing LEED certified building on the land she donated on Lake George in the heart of River Falls. It will house non-profit organizations and host community classes and other events. It is the same interest of making River Falls a better place that both Judie and David support WeatherVane Creamery.
After the indiegogo campaign, Judie told me that she and David would commit a $1000 donation towards attracting additional investors for WeatherVane Creamery. Despite not knowing exactly what that would look like, I was deeply honored. In the end, I ended up using that money to put on the Empowering Taste event. Without their donation, the event probably wouldn’t have happened. During the event, David took some pictures and after the event, not only were Judie and David our first contributors to WeatherVane Creamery’s loan program with a $5000 loan but David also put in many hours editing our photos from it as well.
This summer Judie supported WeatherVane Creamery with Town ‘N Country Day, The Afton Art Fair, the local Rotary Club, and even with advice on lease negotiations and meeting with bankers. And over the last ten months I have volunteered at several Foster Community Foundation events and have had several Perkins meals with Judie and David. It was at one of these meals where, as per usual, they insisted on paying for mine, that I came to the conclusion that they treat me like the daughter they never had. And it makes me feel proud and loved. Many, many thanks and cheers to you, Judie and David. Thank you for being wise, generous, and people who make a difference. River Falls is a different place because of you.
And here is where you can see more about the Foster Community Foundation: http://www.foster-foundation.com/
I helped with the River Falls Art Wagon this summer. Like their facebook page, and look the great pics of all of the kids making wonderful art! And I am in there, somewhere, too. https://www.facebook.com/RiverFallsArtWagonProject