Wisconsin Radio Fundraiser Raises $46K for Tornado Victims

A cookout in Weston, Wisconsin turned listener generosity into real help for tornado survivors, raising $46,082.60 in one afternoon for families still rebuilding their lives.

Midwest Communications partnered with ACE Hardware on April 23 to host the "Relief for Ringle" fundraiser after severe storms ripped through the area. The radio cluster promoted the event across its stations, and the community response exceeded every expectation.

Lines stretched so long that some attendees waited 45 minutes to an hour just to make their donations. Local food vendors kept the grills going, and when supplies ran out, more donations arrived to keep the event running.

"I stopped in here, and I think the line was 45 minutes to an hour," said Ringle Fire Chief Chris Kielman. "The community has really stepped forward."

Some donors didn't even stop for food. They simply dropped off their contributions and left, determined to help however they could.

The urgency is real. An EF-3 tornado damaged more than 140 homes across Ringle and nearby Kronenwetter just days before the fundraiser. While most residents have returned home, about two dozen families remain displaced and face a long recovery ahead.

The Ripple Effect

This single event shows how traditional media can still mobilize communities in powerful ways. Radio gave the fundraiser a voice, hardware stores provided the venue, local vendors donated the food, and ordinary people showed up with their wallets and hearts open.

The money goes directly to the Ringle Tornado Fund, helping displaced families with immediate needs while they rebuild. Market Manager Brian Mitz called it "a true testament to what a dedicated team and supportive community can accomplish when they unite for a common cause."

Donations remain open at local banking locations and Ringle Town Hall as recovery work continues. The tornado may have torn through homes, but it couldn't touch the spirit of a community that takes care of its own.