If you’ve attended special events at Gilda’s Club, you’ve likely seen the Levy family there. Always warm and full of big, kind smiles, their love and care for each other is clear.
The Levy Family – Cherie and Steve, with their daughters Madison and Molly – has been involved with Gilda’s Club Madison for nearly a decade. And, as their family has grown to include spouses and children, so has their involvement.
It all started with cupcakes
They originally became involved with local nonprofits when they owned Gigi’s Cupcakes by donating leftover cupcakes. After they sold Gigi’s, they wanted to continue their philanthropic efforts. Cherie thought, “How can I still give back to the community we’ve been a part of for so long?”
That’s when they decided to start the Levy Giving Fund. They’ll be celebrating 10 years in April 2024. They now have 11 primary charity partners, including Gilda’s Club. “Each of the charities we work with has a special place in our hearts,” explains Molly.
Cherie’s grandmother passed away from cancer, so when a Gilda’s Club staff member reached out about a potential donation, the answer was “yes.” “We’ve had so much cancer touch our lives, we were more than happy to help,” Cherie remembers.
In fact, the Levy Giving Fund donated the playset in the clubhouse backyard in the memory of Cherie’s grandmother. The playset survived the massive flooding that hit the clubhouse in 2018. “That swingset makes my day every time I see it,” Cherie grins.
“We know who we can turn to”
In addition to the playset, the number of ways that the Levy Family has supported Gilda’s Club are almost too numerous to list. They’ve sponsored our NoogieFest Halloween party for many years; Molly and Madison helped plan Gilda’s Big Bash, our 10th anniversary fundraiser; they’ve frequently dropped off holiday-themed gifts and goodies for the children in our programs; they’ve been event sponsors for a number of our Signature Events; they have an ever-growing Gilda’s Run/Walk team; they’ve donated proceeds from their own fundraisers; and so much more.
For Madison Levy, NoogieFest is always a highlight. “All of the charities that we help have something to do with animals or children,” she explains. The family loves seeing so many children touched by cancer having fun at NoogieFest each year.
Cherie shares that she felt especially connected to Gilda’s Club after both she and her husband have been recently touched by cancer. “I knew if things got bad, I could contact you guys. We know who we can turn to – that’s so important.”
Continuing the tradition of giving back
And now, as Molly and Madison have children of their own, they’re looking to continue the family tradition of philanthropy. Tucker is about to have his first birthday, and, in lieu of gifts, they are asking for wish list items for their charity partners. “Mom has always taught us to give back,” explains Molly. “So now we’re trying to teach that to our sons.”