Longtime volunteers Ginny Lee and Bill Kerwin keep the Gilda’s community strong
Ginny Lee and Bill Kerwin have both worn many different hats at Gilda’s Club. You may know Bill as an ice-cream scooper, a handyman, or part of the fundraising events set-up crew. You may know Ginny as the Run/Walk course volunteer coordinator, kitchen organizer, or greeter at the Backyard BBQ. What both share is their love of the Gilda’s Club community.
Bill started his involvement with Gilda’s Club before our red doors even opened. He and his wife, Clare, saw a volunteer sign-up at the Farmer’s Market. Gilda’s Club founder Amy Nickles called him the next day, and he has stayed involved ever since.
Ginny spent her career working in hospice in Illinois before moving to the Madison area as a widow after she retired. She saw a flyer for a wine walk for Gilda’s Club, and she “was so excited to see we had a Gilda’s Club.” She called immediately about volunteering.
“Monday morning wife and husband”
Starting in 2011, the two became regular Monday morning volunteers and have become weekly fixtures in the clubhouse. They refer to each other as their “Monday morning wife and husband.” Ginny even sends Bill a birthday card each year, referring to him as her “Monday morning husband.”
“We always have a good time,” Bill laughs. Ginny jumps in, “And we get a lot done.”
In addition to their Monday morning volunteering, the pair can also be regularly seen at Gilda’s Club Signature Events, helping in a variety of roles over the years. It’s rare to have a Signature Event at Gilda’s Club and not see one or both of them. They’ve also volunteered at outreach tables in the community, helping spread the word about Gilda’s Club.
“Bill and I have it in us that we’re volunteers,” Ginny explains. “We both feel special that we get to be here.”
An integral part of the Gilda’s community
What stands out to both Bill and Ginny is the fact that Gilda’s Club is rooted in community. When Bill’s wife, Clare, passed away, he stayed active as a volunteer and continues to find community. Through Gilda’s Club, Bill and Ginny have become real-life friends and have made many other meaningful connections. When asked why he keeps volunteering, Bill is quick to share, “The people. I always like meeting the people.”
And people know Bill and Ginny, especially after their many years of involvement. Ginny shares, “When people see Bill and I working together, they know we’re friendly faces.”
In addition to the gift of their time, Bill and Ginny have also given financial support. Ginny and her actual husband are longtime Red Door Society members, a group that makes a three-year commitment to Gilda’s Club and provides critical ongoing support. Ginny and her husband also regularly support Gilda’s events, matching gift campaigns, and more. Bill has also provided philanthropic support over the years, including in-kind donations to our Gilda’s event auctions- especially UW Badgers items.
Bill and Ginny represent a key part of what makes Gilda’s Club possible: community. Ginny shares, “It’s a privilege to have a Gilda’s Club here. And I really embrace that. People don’t have a clue what a gift this is for this community.”
Two great friends doing great things.