Volunteer and donor Gerry Klump makes sure Gilda’s Club is here for all
Gerry Klump is a familiar face around Gilda’s Club. You may have seen him volunteer at a program event, at Gilda’s Run/Walk with his entire family, at the Red Door Society Appreciation event, or at Gilda’s Backyard BBQ.
Like many folks who have been involved with Gilda’s Club in so many ways, Gerry has a personal connection to our mission- he lost his father to cancer in 1988. At the time, they were offered support groups at the hospital, but his family only found it to be somewhat helpful. It was also largely inaccessible to his parents, who lived in a rural area and had to drive a long distance to reach the support group.
“Seeing how Gilda’s approached it differently- not just for a patient, but for the whole family- that was so important,” he explains. “It’s so valuable for someone to be able to participate in something like that, to be around others going through the same thing.”
Volunteering as a family
Gerry has been a volunteer and philanthropic supporter of Gilda’s Club Wisconsin for over a decade, since 2012. It was his daughter, Jamie Engebregtsen, who first introduced him to Gilda’s.
Jamie began volunteering at Gilda’s Club as she looked to support children impacted by cancer. She started volunteering in Noogieland, the clubhouse space for kids. She even received the Amy Nickles Above and Beyond the Call of Duty (ABCD) Award for her volunteerism at Gilda’s Club in 2015. “I’m very proud of her for that,” Gerry grins.
Wendy Johnson, past Treasurer of the Gilda’s Club Board of Directors, also talked to Gerry about Gilda’s Club. After hearing from both his daughter and his colleague, he knew that he needed to get involved.
Going over the edge
Gerry and his wife, Vicki, began volunteering at both program and fundraising events, such as Noogie Nights and Gilda’s Run/Walk. Later, in 2014, they joined the Red Door Society, a three-year giving society that allows Gilda’s Club to have reliable funds. Our Red Door Society members allow us to have a reliable stream of income so that, as the need for new or expanded programming arises, we can be immediately responsive to those needs. They have stayed a part of the Red Door Society ever since.
In 2018, Gerry joined the Development Committee, a group of volunteers who help raise the funds needed to make sure we can reach anyone impacted by cancer.
But it was going “Over the Edge” in 2022 that stands out as his most memorable experience. Gerry rappelled 14 stories down a building while raising money for Gilda’s Club. He also helped promote the event by identifying potential groups who may want to participate.
Entering the next chapter at Gilda’s Club Wisconsin
These days, you’re likely to see Gerry pushing his grandkids in their stroller at Gilda’s Run/Walk, an event he began attending with his wife and daughters, but has now grown to include his grandkids and son-in-law.
Outside of Gilda’s Club, Gerry is an active volunteer in the community, in both his church and Way Forward Resources. He and Vicki love to travel, and recently returned from a trip to Australia and New Zealand. He also enjoys spending time with his grandkids.
Gerry is looking forward to this next stage in the history of Gilda’s Club- reaching folks touched by cancer across the state. His own experience with his family makes him very aware of how important it is to provide a variety of ways for people to be involved in our programs. “With technology and Gilda’s being able to expand and help families outside of the travel area is very important.” Gerry believes that, regardless of where they live, no one should have to face cancer alone.
Are you interested in learning more about the Red Door Society? Contact Lindsey at lindsey@gildasclubwi.org or (608)828-8862. Are you interested in volunteering? Contact Christine at christine@gildasclubwi.org or (608)828-8880.