People That Make The Gathering: Ed Kowach

Ed pictured at the Gathering's south side dinner site

If you’ve spent any time around the Gathering’s sites recently, you probably know Ed. Ed Kowach has been involved with the Gathering for the past thirteen years. Last week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ed to hear how he got involved.

About fifteen years ago, Ed became unemployed and homeless. He stayed in a shelter for two years. Life at a crowded shelter was overwhelming. To combat the difficulties, Ed stayed busy.

“I used to get up bright and early because I liked to get out and about. At that time, The Gathering was a means and a way for me to make sure I had something to eat. I was new to being homeless and not very knowledgeable about other programs, until I got to know people.”

One of the people that Ed got to know was Lee Easter. Lee was a cook with the Gathering for many years before Ed came into the picture. “Lee adopted me, he was like a stepfather to me” explained Ed. Lee showed Ed the ropes, helped him make connections and even helped Ed find an apartment to live in. He has been housed ever since. With the guidance of Lee, other volunteers and the Gathering staff, Ed began volunteering about three times a week at the Gathering’s St. James Site. He soon graduated to volunteering almost six times a week.

At the time, Ed also volunteered with a meals-on-wheels program and St. Ben’s meal program. With 30+ years experience working in the food industry, Ed makes a great addition to any meal program. Plus, he is no stranger to hard work. Ed has been seen cooking, cleaning tables and chairs, making sure people get drink refills, helping with deliveries, etc. He once helped make scrambled eggs for 150+ people on a scorching hot summer day.

Ed is now a Gathering staff member, working as a cook and security guard at the Gathering’s south side site. All of the volunteers and staff who have worked with Ed know that he is a valuable asset, and Ed feels the same way about them. 

“My favorite part has been knowing a lot of the volunteers over the years. That’s been real enjoyable. You can’t imagine the number of groups and volunteers that have come. I’ve got to know them all well. I think I am a safe, familiar face who knows how to do the job.”

Ed’s work with the Gathering over the years made him a recipient of the George Greene Award, given for exceptional service by a guest turned volunteer. 

“It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that you’re getting recognized for giving something back, doing something for the community. It makes me proud. That’s why I continue on.”

2013 Gathering Golf Classic

The rain started drizzling down around 10:30 am, when the Gathering’s volunteers and staff members were arriving and preparing to set up for the Gathering’s 7th annual Golf Classic. Everyone was nervous to see the rain and wondered how the day would turn out. Miraculously, the rain stopped right as the event was beginning. It didn't pick back up until guests and volunteers were pulling out of the parking lot. It was a perfect window of sunshine and breeze for a fun, enjoyable afternoon of golf!

The 2013 Gathering Golf Classic was held on Monday, June 24, at Evergreen Golf Course in Elkhorn. This year’s event raised $14,245 to feed Milwaukee’s hungry and homeless. Over 80 golfers competed for two hole in one prizes—a Land Rover courtesy of Fields Auto Waukesha and a two night, three day golf vacation courtesy of Evergreen Golf. Some came close, but no hole-in-one winners this year. Many also participated in our exciting raffle.

We were fortunate enough to have many generous sponsors and donors who made this event possible. Special Thanks to our Gold Sponsors ($2500):

Twin Disc has grown up in Racine to become a world-class manufacturer of power transmission equipment. Our products manage and control horsepower all over the world—in all field equipment, airport crash trucks, military vehicles, fishing boats, work boats and pleasure crafts. Twin Disc is proud to be part of a corporate citizenry that has left its mark on the world. It is a tribute to this community and those who live and work here. WE PUT HORSEPOWER TO WORK!

Wishes The Gathering continued success in its ministry of feeding Milwaukee’s hungry and homeless. Zacher Truck Services—929 W Waterford avenue, Milwaukee, WI (414) 482-4010

Big thanks as well to our silver sponsors ($1,000):

Mel & David Johnson

Mike & Ginny McBride

Ab Nicholas

Milwaukee Capital

And also thanks to our bronze sponsor ($500):

Law Office of Eugene E. Detert

In addition to our Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors, we were also blessed with twelve hole sponsors ($100/hole):

Emanuel Church, Hales Corner (1)

Advocacy investments (1)

Weber & Rick, S.C. (1)

David A. Paris, D.D.S., S.C. (3)

Ruby Isle Inc. (2)

Anytime Fitness Sussex (1)

Harry & Ellie Moseley (1)

Laura & Jason Thurow (1)

Data Financial Inc. (1)

And last but not least, thanks to our hole-in-one sponsor:

Fields Auto Waukesha

The event ran smoothly on a beautiful course thanks, in part, to Evergreen Golf Club—excellent hosts as usual. Finally, big thanks to Shane Morrison and Jim Leurquin—the Gathering Board co-chairs of this year’s event. Their behind-the-scenes hard work made it all possible.  Now that The Gathering staff is back in the office on a rainy day, we will undoubtedly find ourselves reminiscing through pictures of golf carts and sun, until next year!

Thanks again to all.

2012 Gathering Service Award Recipients

The George Greene Award for exceptional service by a guest turned volunteer is named after founder and long-time Gathering Board President. The 2012 Award was presented to John Behmke for his exceptional commitment to meal service at the South Side meal site (pictured below).

The Produce Preservation Project celebrated its first Service Milestone for volunteer Eileen Duffey, who has helped over 20 times in the project’s 3 years of existence.

The following INDIVIDUAL volunteers reached service milestones in 2012 for number of years of continuous volunteering:

30 YEARS: Rick & Mary Thickens (Rick is a Cook, both are Coordinators) 20 YEARS: Jill Ardis (Coordinator); Ruby Cross (Cook); Neil & Jane Radtke (Cooks) 15 YEARS: Jim Ardis (Coordinator), Harry & Ellie Moseley (Coordinators), John & Julie Wolf (Cooks)10 YEARS: Jerry & Connie Michalske (Cooks), Donna Seri (Coordinator), Janet Totero (Cook) 7 YEARS: Lyn Aiken (Cook), Howard & Liz Frank (Cooks), Linda Koenig (Breakfast Program), Marcus Momon (Cook), Christine Wilke (Coordinator) 5 YEARS: Roger Carroll (Coordinator), Michelle Da Costa (Cook), Roger & Linda Dickson (Cooks), Bob Heindl (Breakfast Program), Mark & Karen Meunier (Cooks & Coordinators), Richard Thickens (Cook), Jason Thurow (Cook)3 YEARS: Sarah Buell & Gordon Lasic (Cooks), Joseph Kaja (Cook & Coordinator), Kris Ochocki (Coordinator).

Nancy Kiernan and Tara Buckley

The following GROUPS reached service milestones in 2012 for number of times volunteering:

200+ Johnson Controls, Inc. 150+ Christ Church Episcopal, Community United Methodist Church, Prince of Peace School 130+ Fox Point Lutheran Church 125+ Thomas More High School Students 85+ Memorial United Methodist Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 65+ North Shore Presbyterian Church 50+ Albright United Methodist Church, Heritage Presbyterian Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 35+ UWM Center for Community-Based Learning, Leadership & Research 25+ City on a Hill 15+ Lutherdale Ministries, Northwestern Mutual New Business Department, Robert W. Baird, St. Gregory the Great Congregation, St. James Episcopal Church.

Moses and Camille

Friends of The Gathering Awards, given to agencies, groups or individuals who have demonstrated exceptional compassion and dedication to The Gathering itself or to those we serve:

Sherry Walker (Coordinator); Rick Thickens (Cook & Coordinator); Betty Reilly (Dinner Program); Mary End (Dinner Program); Mark Heffron (Photographer); Jerry Smith (Newsletter Printer); Niki Bivona (Cook & Website Designer); Robert Wargolet III (Webmaster); Robert W. Baird (Baird Gives Back Campaign); Jeff Steren-McDonald’s Restaurants (donations to Breakfast Program); St. Augustine, Wauwatosa Ave. UMC, Peace UMC, Christ Church (Bagged Lunch Donations); Julie Wolf (Shelter Meal Program nutrition consultant); Judith Van Till (Breakfast Program).

Bob Heindl with Marianne

Celebrate Our Volunteers!

by Kasia Drake Hames

On the evening of May 3, 2013, nearly 150 members of the Gathering community came together to celebrate the work of our loyal and dedicated volunteers. This year’s volunteer recognition event took place at the Mercy Hill Gallery inside the Hide House, an old warehouse in Bay View which has been renovated into gallery and artist spaces. A diverse group of volunteers, staff and Board members enjoyed socializing over a taco bar and fresh fruit kabobs. Everyone also had the opportunity to get silly in the photo booth (complete with props) offered by Single Frame Photo Productions. There were some great pictures taken that evening!

The event culminated in the Awards Ceremony, where we honored our dedicated volunteers who celebrated service milestones and those who provided exceptional service in 2012. This was also the first year in the Gathering’s history in which volunteers were awarded for 30 years of service - Rick and Mary Thickens celebrated this honor, as they have been with the Gathering since its inception in 1982! After the Awards Ceremony, volunteers enjoyed tasty gourmet cupcakes and coffee as the evening came to a close. It is always inspiring to see the caring, committed individuals and groups who give of their time and resources to support the Gathering’s mission and guests. If you are a volunteer who was not able to attend this year’s event, THANK YOU for all that you do! The Gathering could not accomplish our mission and serve so many guests without dedicated workers like you. A special Thank You to all Board members, staff and volunteers who assisted at the event!

Thanks to Johnson Controls, Inc. and the Synergy Group

Board Member and Johnson Controls employee Tara accepts the award for JCI's 250+ times of service with the Gathering in 2012

Johnson Controls employee Shane Morrison recently joined the Gathering Board of Directors. He has since taken on a leadership role with the golf event, participated in board meetings and events and has gone above and beyond the call of duty facilitating a fundraiser at Johnson Controls. The fundraiser was led by the Synergy group at JCI, a group of emerging leaders who are active in the community. Shane suggested that the group solicit donations for the Gathering. They did so through a bake sale, donating a portion of nacho bar sales and selling “jeans day” tickets for those who want to dress down at work. Around 15-20 individuals volunteered and raised a total of $2,106.08 for the Gathering. When asked why Shane and the Synergy group got involved, he told us, “There is a lot of pride you can take in helping the community and people who are struggling and just need a meal. We—the Synergy group—are trying to bring the next generation into that opportunity.” JCI has been involved with the Gathering for years and, in 2012, reached a service milestone of 200+ times volunteering with The Gathering. The partnership between JCI and the Gathering is strong and the dedication of individuals like Shane and the Synergy group strengthens this partnership.

Givers Honor Roll

The Gathering Board of Directors Thanks The Following Generous Supporters Giving $250 Or More Between February 16, 2013 and May 10, 2013.

Contributions of $5,000-$9,999: EFSP Phase XXX Allocation • Dr. Bronner’s Family Foundation Stackner Family Foundation

Contributions of $2,500-$4,999 Hunger Relief Fund

Contributions of $1,000-2,499 One anonymous donor • Christ Church Episcopal - Whitefish Bay Gathering Memorial Fund - Greater Milwaukee Foundation GE Foundation • Johnson Controls • Joy Global St. Joseph Catholic Church - Wauwatosa • Twin Disc • John Zacher

Contributions of $500-$999: Three anonymous donors • Answerport Management and Technology Consultants Church of St. Jude the Apostle - Wauwatosa • David and Mel Johnson Gary and Maureen Shebesta • Robert and Kathleen Wene • Eugene and Carmen Witt

Contributions of $250-$499 One anonymous donor • Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Mequon Law Office of Eugene Detert • Anthony and Julianne Maggiore St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church-Cedarburg • Trade Press Media Group

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all donor names. If we have missed you or spelled your name incorrectly, please let us know.