Jones Dairy Farm, Helmick named ‘Lue Ehinger Big Heart’ recipients 

By Kim McDarison

The Heart of the City, a nonprofit, community service group, has announced that it has named Jones Dairy Farm and Mike Helmick as its 2024 “Lue Ehinger Big Heart Award” recipients.

A presentation was made by the group to this year’s two recipients on Wednesday at the Jones Dairy Market in Fort Atkinson. 

According to information released by the group, the organization, by virtue of the award, annually recognizes one or more community members, businesses or organizations that have positively impacted the community. Such contributions are in keeping with the Heart of the City’s mission.

The award is named in memory of a former member, Lue Ehinger, whom, the release described, as an individual “who had one of the biggest hearts of all.”

This year, Jones Dairy Farm was named after the group received a nomination on the company’s behalf in recognition of its involvement with a pilot program, which the release stated, is “approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin,” through which “We Energies partners with large business, nonprofit and government customers from around the state of Wisconsin to host solar panels.

“Energy generated by the solar panels is redirected back to the community’s energy grid.

Jones Dairy Farm (has) been further recognized for their collaboration with other businesses to sponsor the spectacular holiday light show adorning Fort Atkinson’s bike trail, bringing much joy to the community.”

Additionally, the release noted, Hemlick was named after the group received a nomination on his behalf “for his participation in multiple exemplary community activities,” including, volunteering with organizations such as the Homeless Coalition and Feed Your Soul, a service program which provides 180-200 meals a week, provided to those in need. The recipient also is involved with the Unity Project and the Heart of the City.

According to the release, “when asked why he’s involved in so many activities, Helmick replied: ‘As a young man I read Bertrand Russell and learned that the purpose of life is to help humankind. Now that I’m retired from the carrot and stick of working for a living, I have the time to help others.’”

Additionally, the release listed other nominees that were considered for the award this year. They were:

• Fort Community Credit Union: the organization was nominated for its extensive community involvement, which include sponsoring numerous local events, supporting local organizations with donations and volunteer hours, offering scholarships, encouraging diversity in the workplace, educating about personal finance and financial literacy, and encouraging shopping local.

Rick Brietzke, retired Purdy School Principal: The late principal died on Jan. 11. He was nominated for his 26-year commitment to the children of Purdy Elementary School in the fields of art, with the release noting his involvement in established the Artist in Residence program; reading, and conservation, through his establishment of the Green Team, which encouraged school-wide conservation. The Brietzke Educational Wetland at Purdy Elementary School was named to honor his work in this field, the release stated.

Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce Winter Farmers Market: The event and its supporting organization was nominated in recognition of providing the community with the opportunity to socialize with friends and purchase locally-produced items. The December Holiday Market and Open House, which features a variety of vendors throughout the downtown is a prelude to the winter market, which begins in January. During the event, residents can purchase cheese, cookies and vegetables.

Becky Tuttle: The community member was nominated for her work with Trudy’s Room, which provides food, furniture, clothes, and diapers to Fort Atkinson residents in need, and with the Homeless Coalition of Fort Atkinson, which provides transitional housing and emergency assistance to families and individuals in need. In addition, she volunteers with Feed Your Soul and helps with Trinity Church’s Little Free Pantry, which is filled every day with food for those in need.

The Mush-Ko-Se-Day park volunteers: Under the direction of Peter Jacobs and Walt Christensen, the organization and its directors was nominated for their stewardship of the land, including efforts made to improvement its habitat and beauty, and friendly inclusiveness. Mush-Ko-Se-Day Town Park, in the town of Koshkonong, is a 52-acre facility, which boasts with a pond, an ephemeral pond, a tall and short grass prairie, and a woods, with part of the under a restoration process to return it to a bur oak savanna. Volunteers meet monthly to seed, mow, remove invasive species, haul and pile brush, and conduct planned burns to maintain and improve the land.

Past recipients

As earlier reported by Fort Atkinson Online, a list of Big Heart award recipients to-date follows:

• 2006, Rudy Bushcott and Scott Lastusky
• 2007, School District of Fort Atkinson
• 2008, Greg Greenhalgh
• 2009, Chris Spangler Daily Union
• 2010, Madison Area Technical College
• 2011, Evon “Ernie” Heine
• 2012, Fanny Highsmith
• 2013, Dennis Kuchenmeister
• 2014, Joseph Nehmer
• 2015, Joan Jones
• 2016, Amy Lutzke
• 2017, Vern Zech
• 2018, Dick Wanie
• 2019, Aimee Hanyzewski
• 2020, Rotary Club of Fort Atkinson
• 2021, Fort HealthCare and Michael Clish
• 2022, Ann Engelman
• 2023, Kim McDarison of Fort Atkinson Online
• 2024, Jones Dairy Farm and Mike Helmick