It’s a rare nonprofit in the St. Croix Valley that Linda Robertson and Warren Schneider haven’t supported in some way, whether through servant leadership, volunteerism, or by donating. The couple chose to settle in Hudson for its vibrant community and countless opportunities to get involved. Before settling in the area, the pair spent several years abroad – living in Belgium, Spain, and Singapore for Warren’s job with 3M. Those experiences, they say, taught them to think and act globally as well as locally.
“I got involved in raising money for charities in the countries we lived in,” says Linda. “That was very rewarding because I got to see how other countries respond to challenges.”
Some of those challenges were complex, like supporting orphaned children who could otherwise have been exploited or trafficked, or caring for people with disabilities without a supportive infrastructure in place. Luckily, Linda isn’t one to shy away from challenges. As the first nurse manager of the Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties, Linda faced complexities each day that required action and care. She has also served as a board member for Christian Community Homes and Services and Hudson Hospital Foundation – all experiences that allowed Linda to play to her strengths while giving back. Now retired, she continues to actively serve the region as a Hudson Daybreak Rotarian, a role that clearly brings her joy.
“What I love about Rotary is our fundraising and service projects,” says Linda. “We raise money to give to local charities and we do numerous service projects such as meals to Grace Place six times a year, packing food for the SCVFB and many more.”
For Linda, the international service project of installing smoke-free cooking stoves in indigenous villages in Guatemala has been a highlight.
For Warren, giving back has also meant serving as a board member to several area nonprofits, a network he is proud to be a part of. His advice for others looking for a way to get involved is both simple and practicable.
“Find something you get excited about,” he says. “Just dip your toe in the water and see what happens. And if it really turns into your passion, then hey! The money will flow afterwards. And if you’re a person that can do leadership, that’ll come, too. But the key thing is to just go and do some work.”
After serving with the United Way, Warren was asked to help found the St. Croix Valley Food Bank when it became an independent entity in 2021. In the early days of the organization, Warren was among the first volunteers ensuring that a handful of area food pantries would have fresh, familiar foods on their shelves.
“It was just working in a warehouse,” Warren recalls humbly. “Somebody had to unload the food, and there were no employees. So that was us. We were unloading trucks, sorting and taking inventory, and putting loads together to go out to different locations.”
Three years later, the St. Croix Valley Food Bank has hired a CEO and several full-time staff and expanded to serve 57 food pantries – and counting.
Another way Linda and Warren give back is by donating. The pair support several area nonprofits through donations, and they wanted to simplify their annual giving.
“That led us to St. Croix Valley Foundation as a way to donate money in a relatively simple way,” says Warren. “We give one big, tax-deductible donation to our self-directed account, and then ask SCVF to distribute it to St. Croix Valley Food Bank, Operation HELP, Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley, Hudson Hospital, Free Clinic, and several other places.”
Both Linda and Warren grew up learning valuable lessons in giving. Although Linda describes her upbringing as “extremely humble,” her parents still encouraged donating things the family didn’t need to someone else that could use, and pitching in to help friends and neighbors. Warren, too, learned to serve from his parents, who taught the boys to mow the church lawn, tend to the cemetery, and help wherever they could. While neither Linda nor Warren think of themselves as philanthropists, they both find joy and fulfillment in giving both time and money.
“’Philanthropist’ seems too big for us,” says Linda. “Warren and I can only give a little piece compared to big, big philanthropists, but it gives us a sense of pride and the feeling that we’re giving back.”
Warren agrees.
“We like to do our part,” he says, smiling warmly.
To learn more about Donor Advised Funds like the one Linda and Warren established, contact President and CEO Heather Logelin at hlogelin@scvfoundation.org or 715-386-9490.
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