Dear Gilda’s Club Wisconsin Members,
If you’ve visited the clubhouse lately, you’ve probably noticed a few more plastic walls, fans, and construction zones than usual. As Gilda used to say, “It’s always SOMETHING!”
If you’d like to see the damage for yourself, click here to check out a brief video.
In late June, a plumbing fixture unexpectedly failed, sending water from the top floor through the walls all the way to the basement. The damage was significant. Six bathrooms had to be taken down to the studs, the flooring in our art room was ruined, and there was a real risk of mold. On top of all that, our program office has been torn apart and turned into a temporary construction zone while repairs continue.
The good news is that the mitigation is complete, and we’re in a short break before reconstruction begins. During this brief quieter time, we have been trying to offer as many in-person programs as we can. We hope construction starts again soon so we can get the clubhouse back to normal as quickly as possible.
You may have noticed that some groups and classes have moved to Zoom or have been rescheduled. We know these changes aren’t ideal, but they allow us to keep providing support while the building is repaired. We’ll continue to let you know about any changes as early as we can.
Even though parts of our building are under construction, our mission is not. Every virtual support group, yoga class, and educational workshop is here to make sure our members have a place to find support and understanding. We are doing our best during this time to continue to be here for you.
Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and kindness during this challenging time. Many of you have adapted to virtual programs with good spirits. The grace you are offering us is a reminder that Gilda’s Club has never been just a building. It’s the people who fill it with compassion and connection.
We look forward to welcoming you back into a fully restored clubhouse in the weeks ahead. Until then, feel free to reach out to me with questions and thank you for sticking with us as we rebuild.
With gratitude,
Lannia Stenz
Executive Director/CEO
Gilda’s Club Wisconsin
P.S. If you’d like to help offset our insurance deductible and other uncovered repair costs, you can make a gift here. Every contribution helps us focus our resources where they matter most: getting our house in order so we can support people impacted by cancer.