When you see a need, fill it.Spring Funding Round is Closed
Next funding round will be in the Fall of 2024
Eligibility and Selection
Recipients must live within the boundaries of the River Valley School District and find themselves in health-related circumstances, through no fault of their own, for which assistance is needed. All applications are reviewed by the 4Petesake Committee, who determine the number of recipients to be funded and the amount that each recipient will receive.
Our recipients are often completely overwhelmed by their circumstances; to be able to provide for their most immediate financial needs is such a relief to the constant anxiety they feel every day. And beyond the financial support they receive, just knowing that they are valued is a priceless gift. People have asked us, “is there any other community that does this?” Certainly, many communities come together to help their neighbors and contribute to fundraisers. But we can’t help but feel that the River Valley community has taken this to a new level. As someone remarked at the Day in the Park, “kids here grow up learning to help out – it’s just what you do.”
Thank you to everyone for making that possible, for making 4PeteSake possible. We are continually amazed and humbled by the generosity of the River Valley.
Sincerely,
4Petesake announces Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 Recipients
Marina Moersch
Marina Moerch’s face and friendly voice were a reliable part of Hometown, now Molter’s, for
many years. She has always made it a goal to bring a smile to as many customers as she could,
every day. Even when she was undergoing chemotherapy and her hair was falling out. Nothing
seems to get in the way of her good spirit and drive to bring smiles to those around her.
She welcomed me into her home and joyfully introduced her parrot, Booboe (who chatted with
me throughout my time there!), her dog, Sadie (who also welcomed me with Marina’s kindness
and enthusiasm!), and the rest of her rescued animals, showing them off with pride and love.
She remembers always wanting to rescue any creature that had been injured or mistreated
when she was growing up. It was clear that those rescues, for whom she now cares, bring her
great joy and comfort as much as she provides them with shelter.
In addition to caring for her animals, Marina showed me a rather large beaded puzzle art piece
that she was working on. While I am a puzzler, I can’t imagine the patience and focus it takes to
complete one of those with its thousands (zillions?!) of tiny beads! For me, the puzzle was just
another way in which Marina seems to look for beauty in her world rather than focus on the hard
things.
Over her life, Marina has suffered nearly incomprehensible bouts of cancers, the loss of part of
her stomach due to a stabbing, many surgeries and treatments. She nursed her mother through
the end of her life in the home where I was visiting with her. And yet, she remains committed to
putting a smile on her own face, remembering the strength of her mother, and always working to
bring smiles to the faces of those she encounters through the course of her days. She is very
grateful for the assistance she is receiving from you through 4PeteSake, and looks forward to
getting through this latest bout of cancer, and being able to keep bringing smiles to our faces
through her kindness. Her gratitude brings a catch to her voice, stating that 4PeteSake has kept
her in her home, and saved her life. Not only have they helped financially, but they show her
care and concern on a regular basis, checking in on her, sending a friend to help with basic
household things when she can’t do them herself, and generally giving her hope. She is beyond
grateful.
For more information about 4PeteSake, go to 4petesake.com. If you would to help support this
amazing organization please go to https://4petesake.com/donate/. And the Day in the Park
will be here before we know it. Get it on your calendar now: Sunday, August 18! This is a
wonderful way to support people like Marina. Thank you.
John Bagjes
I walked into John and Sandra’s home for this interview and was met by fresh lilacs on the
counter and the luscious smell of freshly baked rhubarb bread, baked for me. I knew this was
going to be both lovely and heart wrenching.
Their beautiful and welcoming home was the perfect setting for the gracious and eager way in
which they shared a story that left me nearly speechless. While John is the official recipient of
4PeteSake assistance, he and Sandra shared his story together with the cadence of an oft
played song, taking turns narrating a years long journey marked by degenerating sight,
debilitating osteo-arthritis, cancers (his and hers), and numerous bureaucratic nightmares. The
story was interspersed with pride in their children and grandchildren, happy memories, and
proud accomplishments. There was no complaining in this story.
Before John first experienced health difficulties, he spent 20 years doing Union restoration work
in Chicago. He worked on such notable icons as the Lyric Opera House and the Drake Hotel,
completing beautiful detailed hand work and restoring murals and trim, as well as wire lathe.
After that he successfully owned his own company, continuing with the hard work and high
quality craftsmanship, at that point often working on enormous mansions in the suburbs of
Chicago. The work allowed him to live a life of success; drive expensive cars, provide for his
family, and build the house of his dreams. His was the all-American dream story–an immigrant
family leaves behind a country in which they cannot remain, and the son, who spoke no English
in first grade, makes good by the work of his own hands.
Unfortunately, about 10 years ago, all that labor caught up with him, and John has not been
able to work since. The list of health issues is long, and the frustration is enormous. John says,
“I started working at 14 and worked more than 30 years, often 12 hour days, I have always
provided for my family. Now I can’t do most things…how do I get a job??” This final thought,
expressed with such overwhelming sadness, left me with no response.
For several years now John, a citizen of this country that he has loved since he was twelve
years old, has found himself in the most mixed up run around with the SSI, the details of which
boggle the mind. And through it all he has remained calm, resubmitted requested papers over
and over, told his story again and again, and at every turn he has run into roadblocks.
Which led him to 4PeteSake. This is the end of their second year receiving assistance and they
could not be more grateful. When the trouble with SSI began, Rosie, a PA from Upland Hills,
who had been caring for both Sandra and John, suggested that they look into asking for
assistance from 4PeteSake. Asking for help did not come easily to John. He grew up believing
that it was his job to provide for his family and he didn’t like to ask for help ever. But they
needed something and 4PS has kept them afloat, at times providing gas cards just so that they
could visit their children, who still live in the Chicago area, for Christmas.
John, having emigrated from Eastern Europe, never expected to find himself in a situation
where his medical conditions, keeping him from working, could result in potentially losing his
home. He muses that in Europe the government would take care of these issues, but here it is by the generosity of others that one gets by. 4PeteSake, and this community, are where John
and Sandra see that reality, and they are profoundly grateful.
For the two of them gratitude isn’t just words. Even with his very limited vision, John uses the
skills he learned all those years ago, designing in his mind’s eye, and then creating stunningly
intricate boxes and charcuterie boards in the extra bedroom turned workshop in their
immaculate mobile home. He plans to donate them to the silent auction at the Day in the Park
as a means of showing his gratitude. Sandra also plans on baking for the cake walk, and I
promise you, you will want to win anything she bakes!
