SHERWOOD, Wis. (WFRV) — Inside The Shanty Bar & Grill, regulars are used to stopping in for a burger or a beer — but this holiday season, one young man is giving them another reason to visit.
11-year-old Chance has turned his family’s restaurant into a hub for holiday giving, collecting gas and grocery gift cards to help families with children receiving care at Children’s Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
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“I was kinda bored one day and said, ‘Well, what is something good I can do and put out into the world?’ and I said, ‘Well, I could help someone in need,’” Chance said.
To start, Chance decided to work for it. Washing dishes and running food at The Shanty, he earned $240 — enough to adopt a six-year-old boy through the Giving Tree program in Appleton. That child is battling a serious illness, and the Kwidzinskis say the experience inspired them to expand the effort.
“After he adopted the little boy and did the shopping, he decided we could do a little more as a family,” said Lauren Kwidzinski, Chance’s mom and owner of The Shanty. “That’s when we started collecting gift cards through our business.”
So far, customers have donated 14 gift cards — and the family is hoping to collect about 20 more by December 1. They’re asking for cards of $10 or more to Kwik Trip or Walmart, which will help families pay for gas and essentials while traveling for hospital visits.
“The very first night we started collecting, we already had ten or eleven cards,” Lauren said. “People have been amazing.”
Chance’s mom says she’s proud of his compassion — something she believes comes from seeing his younger brother face challenges with autism and sensory processing disorder.
“He’s seen what it’s like for families who have to go to hospitals and appointments and how hard that can be,” she said.
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As for Chance, he says this project won’t be a one-time thing.
“I feel like I could probably do this once a year, maybe two years — I feel like that would be a good thing for me to do.”
Anyone interested in donating can drop off a gift card or contribution directly at The Shanty Bar & Grill, 5605 Faro Springs Road in Hilbert, through December 1.
