For the love of douglas (DAF) created To give back

When life takes a difficult turn sometimes the unexpected pulls you through and a desire to do something bigger takes over. This is the story of Denise (Green) Sprecher and her children Wyatt and McKenzie. In 2007 they lost their husband/father Douglas Sprecher. In the days and months that followed many hardships and tough decisions were faced by Denise and her kids. Denise shares that more than once a dark situation became brighter because someone unknowingly stepped in to help and the family could move forward little bits at a time. These acts of kindness got this family back on their feet.  

Years after starting over, a desire to do something bigger began to fiercly burn in Denise. “It was a huge uphill battle to get where we are today. If it weren’t for some family and friends it would have been worse.” For the Love of Douglas – The Green/Sprecher Donor Advised Fund was created for the purpose of giving back, a passion that Denise holds close. 

Denise came to the Luverne Area Community Foundation on the recommendation of her lawyer after sharing that she wanted to start some kind of give back foundation. It has been a privilege to help Denise, Wyatt and McKenzie accomplish this goal of doing something for others for the love of their Douglas. “It was a breeze. Emily was wonderful and helped talk us through how we could accomplish what we wanted to do!”   

Denise and her kids now have a “charitable savings account” held at the Luverne Area Community Foundation called a Donor Advised Fund. Money is put into the foundation for the purpose of “For the Love of Douglas” and Denise and her kids get to “Pay it Forward” to charities of their choice.   

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