On Wednesday, following the Jeans & Jewels Gala, we had the joy of delivering the very first “Be a GEM” package to The Neighbors of Dunn County!
A Gift in Loving Memory
The Neighbors’ GEM package was donated by David Chung in loving memory of his wife, Barbara, whose warmth and compassion touched many lives. The package was filled with candy and snacks, art supplies, holiday ornaments, bead bracelets, and fun prizes for residents to enjoy during their favorite activity — BINGO!
This special Be a GEM package was sponsored at the Gala for $500 by Bob Friese, Kurt Larson, and Doug Larson, whose generosity made it possible to bring smiles and laughter to The Neighbors’ residents.
About Barbara
After graduating from Elk Mound High School, Barbara Chung moved to Minneapolis to pursue a lifelong career in healthcare. For more than 45 years, she worked as a nurse, dedicating her career to elder care, addiction recovery, and hospice support. Following complications from a 2019 accident, Barbara and David returned to Dunn County to be closer to family. She became a long-term resident at The Neighbors, where she passed away in the spring of 2024. Barbara loved group activities, field trips, and never missed a chance to play BINGO—always sharing her candy with joy and pride.
About The Neighbors of Dunn County
The Neighbors is where care, connection, and community come together. Serving residents in both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care, The Neighbors provides a place of comfort, engagement, and belonging. Their Life Enhancement Team fills each day with joy through activities like BINGO, Bunco, Yahtzee, Pokeno, and more — especially when prizes are involved! Residents also enjoy outings on the community bus to band concerts, Senior Center visits, restaurant trips, fishing excursions, and beyond.
G.E.M. donations like this one help The Neighbors continue to spread joy, fun, and friendship among residents. Thank you to everyone who helps make life a little brighter through the Be a GEM Packages!
How “Be a GEM” Packages work:
The Foundation’s brand-new “Be a GEM” element of the Jeans & Jewels Gala connects generous donors with local nonprofits in need of tangible items that make a real difference.
The Foundation partnered with community members to identify nonprofit organizations in Dunn County that would greatly benefit from donations of goods or equipment.
Individuals, groups, or businesses—working with the Foundation—selected a nonprofit of their choice and assembled a package of $500 worth of tangible items to be displayed at the Gala (some of these donors dedicated their donation in honor or in memory of a loved one).
Gala attendees then sponsored one of these packages for $500, which goes directly into the Foundation’s Common Good Fund – helping to fund ongoing grants and community programs throughout the year.