As we all know Wisconsin’s winters can be brutal and it’s important not only for kids but everyone to have the proper winter gear.”

Dustin Rucker

Local residents Dustin and Christa Rucker moved from Ohio to Stanley with their two sons during the pandemic in 2020. Dustin was offered a job at the Menards Corporate office and during the hunt for a home, they fell in love with the small town, school district and friendly community of Stanley. “We found our perfect fit,” Dustin said, and they officially made Stanley their home. “Everyone we have come across is so friendly! It didn’t take long to see how close knit the community really is especially after the tornado. Most everyone is always willing to help in one way or another,” he said. Though they hadn’t lived here long, Dustin and Christa saw a community need around them for children that didn’t have access to cold weather gear and had to help. They quickly got to work starting Warm Kids Wisconsin, a local organization that works to provide cold weather gear for local children in need.
Dustin explained that the original inspiration for their nonprofit organization came from a Spirit of Christmas tag that his wife, Christa, a paraprofessional at the Stanley-Boyd School District, had picked up at her hair salon. “The child that she picked had asked for a pair of snow pants as their Christmas present which broke our hearts, but also got us thinking if one child needs this, are there others that also need the proper snow clothing as well?” he said. Dustin explained, “As we all know Wisconsin’s winters can be brutal and it’s important not only for kids but everyone to have the proper winter gear.”
“Currently, we are focusing on providing winter coats, snow pants, hats and gloves. As we continue to grow snow boots will also be something that we want to provide as well,” Dustin explained. “Our main focus currently is the Stanley community, but we are focused on getting the word out anywhere within Chippewa County as well as Clark,” he said. Warm Kids Wisconsin also partnered in December of 2023 with the Spirit of Christmas, a non-profit, tax-exempt, all-volunteer organization based out of Chippewa County in Wisconsin that distributes gifts to families and individuals prior to Christmas. “We have worked with the Spirit of Christmas, which was great, because all of our donations went back to the Stanley, Boyd and Thorp community which is right where we want them to go!” said Dustin. He said that they also work with local Churches and schools to find children who are in need of cold weather gear. The recent frigid temperatures brought in more requests for donations and Warm Kids Wisconsin has been able to help over 15 children already.
While they are patiently waiting for their nonprofit status, Dustin stated that Warm Kids Wisconsin accepts monetary donations as well as clothing donations. “We are trying to buy everything new, however, we are taking lightly used donations as well.” He shared that those looking to help can also make monetary donations at Forward Bank under Warm Kids Wisconsin or donate directly to the fundraiser on the Warm Kids Wisconsin Facebook page.
The Rucker family is committed to making sure that every child has access to warm clothing for winter weather in Wisconsin. They feel that together we can make sure that in Wisconsin, every child has a chance to be warm.
For more information on Warm Kids Wisconsin or to make a donation, visit their Facebook page at Warm Kids Wisconsin or to make a local monetary donation, contact Forward Bank in Stanley.