March is Women’s History Month. To celebrate, First News at Nine is proud to present Remarkable Women. Each week in March, we’ll be recognizing local women who have made remarkable contributions in their communities. Every Tuesday, we’ll share a story highlighting one of four women who inspire, lead, and make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Tonight, our story is about Sharon Zimmer, a dedicated volunteer for the Hunger Task Force who will go out of her way to bring kindness to anyone she meets.
Verneda Kessling
My name is Verneda Kessling and I live in Onalaska. I first met Sharon when we worked at Kwik Trip together, in the factory. The reason I nominated Sharon is that not only has she done so much for me as a single mom. But she goes out of her way to go above and beyond for anybody. And I don’t know how she does it, I don’t know how she fits so much into a day. Where she was at the hunger task force but she was still working full time at Kwik Trip, and she was constantly making meals or making a treat or something for all of us at Kwik trip. She is just so giving; such a giving person and she never wants anything in return.
Sharon Zimmer
That’s just my philosophy is kindness can go a long way. Whether it’s just a pat on the back or some kind words saying you’re doing a great job, or what can I do. Always ask, what can I do to make your life better.
Verneda Kessling
I just wanted to recognize her because she deserves that. She does so much for our community. Not just for the Alzheimer’s association but for the hospitals, and for the Hunger Task Force, and handing out boxes when it’s raining or snowing, she’s there. And she has Chuck along with her and they are a wonderful couple that does things together. And when she got the diagnosis of Chuck having Alzheimer’s…it was hard. But in true Sharon fashion, she snapped it together knowing that this is life now and I have to continue on and I’m going to do the best I can for him because that’s what she does.
Sharon Zimmer
We do the dementia group and I’m big in the Alzheimer’s Association because that’s kind of where my life is going. My husband was diagnosed in 2018 at age 60.
We’re in a clinical trial to try to find maybe a cure for this because there is no known cure. And it takes research dollars, so we did a huge fundraiser walk last summer. We’ll see where this goes this year but that’s where we’re at. Every week we find something to do in the community to give of ourselves.
Verneda Kessling
She’s like a superwoman, she really is. She has things planned for the day. She’s ready to go out and volunteer. She’s ready to give and it doesn’t stop. She’s just a remarkable person.
FOX2548 & WIProud wants to recognize the great contributions women have made to our nation and local communities. Remarkable Women is part of a nationwide Nexstar Media initiative to honor the influence that women have had on public policy, social progress and the quality of life.
