Here are some testimonials from the 2010 Pig Roast...

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast:
Thank You for your donation to the Ozaukee County Special Olympics. This generous gift will help defray the cost for equipment, uniforms transportation costs and facility rentals.
Pat Armbruster
Ozaukee County Special Olympics

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast:
Here is a check for the cause. The Bush’s story and their situation really got to me, especially as they were standing next to me on the stage. Hope this helps and continue having “Great times for Great causes”!
John Yadgir
Mission River Band

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast:
Philanthropic support at every level is vital to our work and deeply appreciated-especially now, with the economy presenting new challenges for every family. Generous gifts-like your gift to the Ryan Refinski Immunology Fund-have the potential to transform kids’ lives!
Beth Dolan 
Development Director
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast,
We received your contribution in memory of Donnell Lauters and Mary Nygaard. This donation will be used to purchase a Bariatri Electric Mat Platform Table and Electric Hoyer Lift which will be a significant assistance to our clients. On behalf of the entire organization, I want to extend our sincere gratitude for your generosity.
Tom Bergerud
Executive Director
Threshold Incorporated

Dear Mel & Committee,
Your support for kids who’ve experienced death or divorce in their families is greatly appreciated. From our Ozaukee Family Services family to your Pig Roast family-Thank You!
Cheri Farnsworth
Executive Director
Ozaukee Family Services

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast:
Your continued support of our organization, allows us to provide supportive services, such as transportation to medical and therapy appointments, grocery shopping, and friendly visits, free of charge, for Interfaith clients. We are extremely grateful.
Liz Juern
Executive Director
Interfaith Caregivers

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast,
Thank you for the donation in memory of Matt. Your generosity is just another hug we so desperately need at this time in our life. You don’t even know us, yet you have extended a kindness that we can never repay.
Dave, Jan, Emily Malkowski

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast,
Thank you for your donation to Ozaukee County Circle of Friends. We truly appreciate your support toward our mission of offering recreational activities to families of special needs children in the area.
Becky Glamm
Ozaukee County Circle of Friends

Here are some testimonials from the 2009 Pig Roast...

Dear Mel & your entire team:

We recently received your contribution to help subsidize the expenses for our new mini-buses. On behalf of the entire organization, I want to extend our sincere gratitude for your generosity throughout the years.  

Tom Bergerud
Executive Director
Threshold Inc.

Dear Mel & your crew of volunteers:

Thank you so much for your generous check for Brian’s scholarship. I can’t begin to express how moved I am by your efforts.

Ann Rintleman

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast:

On behalf of the Dominican High School Community, thank you for the generous check in memory of Ryan Refinski. Your generosity is truly instrumental in the success of our students-past, present and future .

Leanne Giese
Dominican High School   

Dear Tri-County Pork Producers & Mel’s Pig Roast:

As a result of all your efforts and the help of others we are still a family in one piece and putting our lives back together. Your thoughtfulness in providing us a half a beef and a HDTV has touched our hearts and will never be forgotten. God Bless you.

George, Amy, Kaitlynn & Samantha Bush

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast:

Thank You for your generous donation. We will be purchasing a laptop computer, update our website and purchase a shredder. Thank you so much for your generosity!

Dorothy Wahner
Interfaith Caregivers of Ozaukee County

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast:

Thank you so much for bus ride and awesome seats to the Circus Parade.

Larry & Kim Dobberfuhl
Ozaukee County Circle of Friends

Dear Mel:

How are you? Thanks for letting me help out. Thank you for the cool t-shirt and hat. See you soon.

Zach Jasen
Ozaukee County Special Olympic athlete

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast Committee:

On behalf of Starting Point of Ozaukee, we would like to express our sincere thanks for your generous donation in memory of Matthew Kobiske and Ryan Willhard. We thank you for opening up your heart for our mission .

Shea Halula
Executive Director
Starting Point of Ozaukee, Inc.

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast:

Thank you, what a blessing you are to the community. You are touching so many lives! Appreciate the contribution to the Niki Doedens Scholarship Fund . God Bless.

The Doedens family   

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast:

Our family would like to express our sincere appreciation to the organizers and volunteers for the donation in Matthew’s memory to Starting Point of Ozaukee. A special thank you to the local businesses that donated time, material and prizes to help out this special day.

Gary, Debbie and Amanda Kobiske

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast:

Thank you for your generous donation that will help purchase a new wheelchair for our team this year. We appreciate your generosity and interest in our organization.

Robin Decker
Wheelin’ Wizards Wheelchair Basketball Club 

Here are some testimonials from the 2008 Pig Roast...

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast Committee,

We recently received your contribution in memory of Donell Lauters and Mary Nygaard to be used for the purchase of ergonomic chairs. On behalf of the entire organization, I want to extend our sincere gratitude for your generosity.

Your decision to contribute to our Agency means much to us, as we know it indicates your support of our mission and activities on behalf of children and adults with disabilities.

Thanks to everyone helping to make Mel’s Pig Roast a great event and a generous donor to worthy causes!

Sincerely,
Tom Bergerud
Executive Director of Threshold Incorporated

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast Committee,

On Behalf of the Cedarburg High School Community Service Volunteer program and Portal Industries, we would like to thank you for your generous donation that was given for the 2009 Portal Prom which will be a Mexican Fiesta on Saturday March 28th.

The prom is designed to offer adults with disabilities a unique opportunity to attend a formal dance and experience a night to remember. Cedarburg High School students, as well as our Portal Industry guests attend the dance.

The success of Portal Prom depends on the generous support of people like you. We thank you again and appreciate your help in supporting this event.

Sincerely,
Sandy Doedens & Patty Clapper
Cedarburg High School Community Service Coordinators

Dear Tom,

Thank you for all of the time and work you put into organizing Mel's Pig Roast. Ozaukee County Special Olympics appreciates your dedication to this event.

This donation will be used for transportation, state fees and facility rentals.

We all benefit when everyone, including those with disabilities, can participate in sports. Thanks again for your continued support.

Yours Truly,
Pat Armbruster
Special Olympics Wisconsin

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast:

Thank you and all who support Interfaith Caregivers of Ozaukee County. We provide multiple services to homebound services and depend on people like you to continue this valuable service.

The event was inspirational.

Sincerely,
Pat Treffel-Board President
Interfaith Caregivers of Ozaukee County

Dear  Mel’s Pig Roast,

The smiles on the faces of kids when they start feeling better. The relief on the faces of parents when their child turns the corner on a serious illness. These are some of the rewards that those of us who work at Children’s Hospital and Health System receive every day. For you, please accept our thanks on their behalf for the part you played in creating these wonders.

Thank you for organizing and raising monies through Mel’s Pig Roast to benefit the Ryan Refinski Immunology Fund at Children’s Hospital. The patient care, education, advocacy and research that you help create bring smiles to more faces that you can ever know.

Best wishes,
Rhonda Plotkin
Development Director
Children’s Hospital and Health System Foundation

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast:

This letter is addressed to Mel Stanton and the members of the committee that runs Mel’s Pig Roast.
Thank you again for the very generous donation to the Grafton Gladiators to be used in funding the Rick King Memorial Scholarship.

This scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving young man who has played football for the Gladiators and for Grafton High School, who meets the academic criteria and also meets the personal qualities that Coach King tried to instill in his players, lessons that will stay with them long after their playing days are over.

Thank you for all the charities that you support, you may never know how far your generosity goes and how many lives are touched. Please keep up the outstanding work!

Sincerely,
Bob Kiefer
Program Coordinator
Grafton Gladiators

Dear “Mel’s Pig Roast Gang”,

We would like to thank you for the donation to Niki’s Scholarship Fund. We find such joy in handing out the scholarships to people who have qualities like Niki. The love, joy and hope we pass on would not be possible without you all! Thank you again and thanks to all you do!

God Bless,
Doedens Family

Dear Mel and the Pig Roast Committee:

Thank you for your donation to Starting Point of Ozaukee County in memory of Matt. You and Nancy have done such an exceptional job over the years to help support local charities and organizations. I know you always say you couldn’t do it without the help of all the volunteers. I understand that, but without your dedication, this event wouldn’t continue. To think of the amount of money you’ve raised. WOW!!

Thank You,
Gary, Debbie & Amanda Kobiske

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast Committee,

On behalf of Starting Point of Ozaukee, we would like to express our sincere thanks for your generosity which was received on October 22, 2008 in memory of Matthew Kobiske and Ryan Willhard. We can not thank you enough for donating to our mission and cause. Your generous donation will be used for the LEAD (Leading Exceptional Alcohol & Drug Free-lives) Lock-in. The theme for this years being “Stand Up for What is Right & Others will See the Light.” It will be held at the Feith Family YMCA on November 8th and 9th. The students will be able to attend five workshops and network with other students who have also committed by contract to alcohol, tobacco and other drug-free lifestyles.

We again want to thank you again for opening up your heart to our mission.

Sincerely,
Shea A.R. Halula
Executive Director-Starting Point of Ozaukee

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast Committee:

Mel, thank you and the entire team that puts on this event. Not only a great social event, but certainly the causes that are supported are worthwhile.

Our family appreciates everything you do in the memory of Ryan and all the other charities.

Sincerely,

Gary & Mary Refinski

Dear Mel’s Pig Roast,

On behalf of the Dominican High School community, I thank you for your donation to the Ryan Refinski Memorial Scholarship Fund. Over the past three years, we have been grateful for the generosity of the annual Mel’s Pig Roast. What a creative way to reach out to the community and raise awareness.

More then 70% of our students receive some form of financial aid. On average, Dominican gives more in scholarship and aid per student than any other private school in southeastern Wisconsin. And, especially during these hard economic times, every scholarship donation is worth it.

Above all, your donation honors Ryan Refinski, a young man who made a positive impact on his high school and community. We are honored and proud to take part in his legacy.

Again, I cannot say it often enough—thank you for your generosity and partnership. Know that the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters and the entire school community are keeping you in their prayers.

Warm regards,
Maureen Schuerman
President
Dominican High School

Dear Tom,

Thank you so much for including Ozaukee Co Circle of Friends as a recipient of monies you raised at the Pig Roast. It’s so nice of you to raise money each year for charity. We do appreciate the contribution.

Becky Glamm
President Circle of Friends

Here are a few more from past years...

Dear Friends:

As we close out 2007 and look forward to another basketball season in 2008, we want to thank you for your kind and generous support of the Wheelin' Wizards. It has been a year of extreme highs and lows for the Wizards.

Your financial assistance helped the club win the Junior Division NWBA national championship in March of 2007 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. In a rematch of last year's title game, the Wizards defeated the Lakeshore Lakers 74-64. Having graduated three seniors this past year, the Varsity squad looks forward to a competitive, exciting 2008.

Regards,
Wheelin' Wizards Basketball Club
Milwaukee, WI

Dear Mr. Stanton:

The Friends of the Library received the check from Mel's Pig Roast via the Special Olympics. A letter has been sent to Ms. Rintleman thanking her for the money donated in memory of Brian Rintleman. The contribution will be designated for the new Library Fund as requested by Ms. Rintleman.

Please accept our thanks for your part in this donation and extend our gratitude to all other participants.

Sincerely,
MaryLee Katzka
Corresponding Secretary
Friends of the Cedarburg Library

Dear Tom,

Thank you for all of the time and work you put into organizing Mel's Pig Roast. Ozaukee County Special Olympics appreciates your dedication to this event.

This donation will be used for transportation, state fees and facility rentals.
We all benefit when everyone, including those with disabilities, can participate in sports. Thanks again for your continued support.

Yours Truly,
Pat Armbruster
Special Olympics Wisconsin

Dear Mr. Stanton:

On behalf of the Dominican High School community, I thank you for your gift of $2,000 to the Ryan Refinski Memorial Scholarship Fund. Your generosity plays a direct role in helping our students and school excel.

You have helped Dominican continue to be a scholarship leader. Your contributions to our scholarship fund allowed us to provide more financial aid per student than any private high school in southeastern Wisconsin. You have been a tremendous partner in making an excellent education available to a wide range of students – not just those who can traditionally afford it.

Even more importantly, thank you for honoring Ryan Refiniski. He was a wonderful young man and this is a well-deserved legacy in his memory.

Meanwhile, please know that you are helping your scholarship students receive an exceptional Catholic, college-preparatory education. Thank you for helping them acquire the academic tools and spiritual development they need to have meaningful lives.

Please know that you are being remembered in the prayers of the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters and the entire school community.

Warm Regards,
Maureen Schuerman
President
Dominican High School

Dear Tom:

On behalf of everyone associated with Children's Hospital and Health System, I want to thank you for your compassion toward children and the care that they receive when they are sick or injured. Thank you for caring enough about these things to let your actions speak – by donating your time and energy for Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Thank you for raising $2,000.00 through Mel's Pig Roast benefiting the Ryan Refinski Immunological Fund in memory of Ryan Refinski.

The children we serve, from the tiniest newborn to adolescents and young adults battling every conceivable illness, and their families, will greatly benefit from the improved facilities that result from gifts like yours. Your money, combined with that of other generous and forward-thinking philanthropists, goes toward research, patient care, advocacy and education for hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin children every year.

We are grateful to you for helping make this happen. Thank you for believing in Children's Hospital and Health System. We appreciate your support in so many ways. Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Best wishes,

Linda Schieble
Director, Special Events
Children’s Hospital and Health System Foundation

Dear Tom:

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Cedarburg Community Scholarship Fund, I want to thank you for your generous donation of $2000.00. These funds will be directed to the Brian Rintelman Memorial Endowment as requested.

Cedarburg Community Scholarship Fund was founded in 1973, and since its inception has awarded over one million dollars to students who have demonstrated academic excellence, community service, and extra-curricular achievement. These funds are used for all manner of post-high school education: two and four year college/university programs as well as technical/vocational school training. All activities of CCSF are governed by an 18 member volunteer board comprised equally of men and women of the greater Cedarburg community. We appreciate your support of their efforts.

For tax related purposes it is acknowledged this contribution is accepted on behalf of Cedarburg Community Scholarship Fund and is used in a manner consistent with the Board's mission and this specific endowment's criteria. No goods or services were provided in return for this contribution. Cedarburg Community Scholarship Fund is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation.

Sincerely,
Kelly Livingston
Treasurer
Cedarburg Community Scholarship Fund

Mel, Thank you so much. It is truly amazing what this event has accomplished. Thanks again, Kelly

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your recent contribution of $1,200.00 to the Wheelin' Wizards Wheelchair Basketball Club. Your donation at the All-Star level helps us continue to reach kids who use wheelchairs and who benefit from the physical activity and social camaraderie available by playing for the Wizards.

This letter will serve as confirmation that no goods or services were received in exchange for the donation. As a 501(c)(3) organization, your contribution to the Wizards is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Thank you, again, for supporting our kids through your generosity to the Wheelin' Wizards. We will use your gift in the purchase of new scoreboard or laptop computer equipment to benefit the team.

Sincerely,
George Bralick
Treasurer
Wheelin' Wizards
Milwaukee, WI

Dear Tom and the 2007 Pig Roast Committee,

On behalf of the Cedarburg High School Community Service office and Portal Industries, we would like to thank you for your generous donation of $1500.00. The donation will be used for Portal Prom, Saturday April 12, 2008.  This year's theme will be Mardi Gras Magic, a tribute to New Orleans.

As you know from the past both Portal clients and Cedarburg High School students feel Portal Prom is the best night of their lives! We invite you to stop in April 12 1h and join in on this very special night.

Again we thank your contribution and for helping make this a night to remember for all.

Sincerely,
Eileen Sattler, Sandy Doedens
CHS Community Service

Dear Portal Prom Donator,

The Cedarburg High School community service program would like to recognize and thank you for your generous donation and support for this year's Portal Prom, "Mardi Gras Magic". The night was a huge success! We had a wonderful turnout of both Portal clients and volunteers. Portal Prom is truly a great experience and brings joy to the lives of all the people who are involved. Without people like you, this incredible night would not have been possible.

Thank you again!

Lindy Schoessow
The 2008 Portal Prom Committee

Dear Friends:

We recently received your contribution of $3000.00 from Mel's Pig Roast which was held in September. On behalf of the entire organization I want to extend our sincere gratitude for your generosity.

Your decision to contribute to the Threshold means much to us, as we know it indicates your support of our mission and activities on behalf of children and adults with disabilities.

The Threshold is very proud of its work and accomplishments which are reflected through the success and happiness of those we serve. We all benefit greatly when every citizen, including persons with disabilities, can live and fully participate in our communities. Your continued partnership in our mission is truly appreciated.

Thanks to all involved!

Sincerely,
Thomas R. Bergerud
Executive Director
The Threshold Incorporated

Dear Friends,

Felix and I just wanted to let you know we appreciate you generosity. Your kindness, caring thoughts and prayers bring joy to our lives as we face these difficult moments.

How thoughtful and surprising. We’re blessed to have folks like you thinking about us.

With our sincere thanks,
Becky & Felix

We would like to thank you for the generous contribution to TJ’s Scholarship fund. It gives us happiness to know TJ’s memory will live on at CHS. We appreciate all the work your entire group does. You are a very caring and giving group.

With great appreciation,
Tom, Robin, Melissa and Jenny Beck

Dear Tom,
Thank you so much for including Ozaukee Co Circle of Friends as a recipient of monies you raised at the Pig Roast. It’s so nice of you to raise money each year for charity. We do appreciate the contribution.

Becky Glamm
President Circle of Friends
Mel’s Pig Roast,

Thank you for your generosity. Your thoughtfulness and caring for others in the community is very much appreciated. A special Thank You to all your “helpers”. It’s been a difficult year for our family but with the help of others we’re able to move ahead. A contribution to Ozaukee Council will hopefully educate others in the community to help them live a good clean life.

Thank you.
The Kobiske Family
Gary, Debbie & Amanda

Dear Tom & Nancy,

A huge thank you! Again, from us and the community – you are awesome people – giving of yourself and doing for others to give a reward – yes financially but most of all the reward of LOVE you give and have spread through others. We love you both!

God Bless,
Andy & Sandy Doedens

Mel,

On behalf of the King family and the Grafton Gladiators,I would like to hank you for the very generous donation to the Coach King Scholarship. The work of “Mel’s Pig Roast” is amazing.

Bob Kiefer

A donation by Mel's Pig Roast has been made in the memory of Ryan Willard to the Ozaukee Council, Inc. The donation received on October 22, 2007 supports a leadership conference for students in the LEAD (Leading Exceptional Alcohol & Drug Free Live) Program for High School Students. For more than 35 years the Ozaukee Council, Inc. a non-profit agency, has remained focused on its mission: to support the development of healthy youth and healthy communities. We are extremely grateful for this living memorial.

Ozaukee Council

Dear Mr. Stanton,

Thank you for giving Special Olympics money. I love volleyball and gymnastics. I had a good time at the pig roast. I like checking off numbers.

Your friend,
Zack