August 5, 2021 at 1:11 p.m.
To give freely: Johnson family shares generosity of 'Uncle Bob'
Six local charities to split over $500,000
To give freely: Johnson family shares generosity of 'Uncle Bob'
With family still living in the Rhinelander area, he would frequently return for family gatherings, and he eventually built a home here so he could host these and many other gatherings.
On Aug. 3, members of the Johnson family gathered at CT's Deli for a special luncheon to share Bob's generosity with the community and hopefully inspire others to follow in his footsteps.
Steve Johnson, one of Bob's nephews, said the event honoring his uncle was a chance for the family to continue "Uncle Bob's" tradition of giving to others.
"He was one of the most generous people you would ever meet," Steve said, pointing to a small montage of photos of the elder Johnson on each table that included the definition of generosity "the habit of giving freely without expecting anything in return."
"He didn't expect anything in return. In fact, he had asked that the donations be somewhat silent and to go out without any fanfare," Steve said, adding it was the only wish of his uncle's his family could not honor.
"We decided it was too important to the community, and for what he was trying to accomplish, for the word not to get out," Steve said.
When all of the donations are handed out, the total will "equal in excess of over a million dollars." These donations are being made to local charities, along with some charitable foundations. The recipients include Northwoods United Way, the Salvation Army, the YMCA of the Northwoods, the Boys & Girls Club of the Northwoods and Northwoods Alliance for Temporary Housing (NATH).
A memorial scholarship through Rhinelander High School will also continue and Johnson's generosity did not end there.
"He's making a contribution to the Parkinson's Foundation, he's making a contribution to the University of Wisconsin in the form of a scholarship in the name of his mom and dad, Jack and Lois. And he's making a donation to the American Heart Association, which is an association that is near and dear to our family, as well," Steve said.
Steve said one of the goals of the luncheon was to spur the spirit of philanthropy in the community
"What we're hoping is that this act of generosity is contagious," he said. "We're hoping that when word gets out that my Uncle Bob was able to donate more than $500,000 to local area charities, maybe it will spur the idea in the community an additional opportunity. People may not have the opportunity to do what he was able to do, but every little bit helps."
Randy Johnson, Steve's brother, noted that Bob was always an example to their family, as well as the extended Johnson family. He said the luncheon was a chance for them to see the "look of joy" in the eyes of the recipients of their uncle's gifts, along with the knowledge of what can be done with the donations.
He also noted that not everyone can afford to donate money, but some local charities would be almost as happy if people would volunteer their time.
"It doesn't escape me that Bob's example has already lived on in us," Randy said. "We are starting to be generous with our time. Each and every one of us, Bob's surviving eight nieces and nephews, each one of us is in a profession or provides time volunteering to the organizations that are near and dear to our hearts."
On hand to speak were representatives from several of the organizations receiving the donations: Lily Miller of the Boys & Girls Club of the Northwoods, Nancy Sattler, executive director for the Northwoods United Way, Amanda John of the Salvation Army, Shane Dornfeld, RHS principal and Tammy Modic, executive director of NATH/Frederick Place. They all said the generous donations caught their organizations by surprise. In the case of the United Way, NATH and Salvation Army, their spokespersons said they will be able to help more people this year due to the donations.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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