Fund donates $10,000 to Green Circle Trail

STEVENS POINT - Each year, Mary Hesch gives back to the community through the Mary Hesch Pay It Forward Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin. Her annual $10,000 gift is a reminder of the ripple effect of kindness.
This year, Mary has chosen to support the Green Circle Trail, focusing on the trail improvements to the Schmeeckle Reserve segment. Mary’s giving to the Green Circle Trail this year was inspired by her many hours on the trail. “The joy it brings me is unreal”, said Mary Hesch.
When she heard about a portion of the trail being torn up for housing, she knew the help would be welcomed. This gift will help preserve and enhance this beloved local trail, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy its natural beauty.
The Green Circle Trail, a beloved community asset since 1996, has grown through collective efforts. “Once people walked the River Pine section, they saw the vision, and the whole community got behind it,” said Tom Schrader, one of the trail’s founding members. The trail’s annual maintenance schedule covers one mile per year, and the Schmeeckle Reserve segment still needs $33,000 in funding for its improvement.