A breast cancer awareness fundraiser at Community State Bank in Union Grove, Wis., culminated in a $1,000 donation for the Heavenly Locks Foundation, a local nonprofit that provides funds to gift wigs to women fighting breast cancer.

Organized by Katie Weis, human resources director at the $600 million-asset community bank, the fundraiser allowed employees to wear jeans, flannel and pink on Fridays throughout October 2024. Employees donated $5 each week to participate, with the goal of supporting a local nonprofit or community member.

Along with the weekly $5 donations, employees could make additional contributions until the end of October. Some, even those who didn’t participate in a fundraiser, donated as much as $20. One employee contributed $75 after the deadline, helping the bank reach an even $1,000.

As the fundraising period came to a close, the community bank had yet to find a recipient for the donations. That’s when retail manager Teri Eulgen suggested the Heavenly Locks Foundation as the ideal beneficiary. Founded by three breast cancer survivors in October 2023, the nonprofit primarily serves southeastern Wisconsin with an emphasis on western Racine County.

“I knew a couple of the founders personally and also felt it would be a great fit for that month,” said Eulgen. Although Windy Fisher, cofounder of Heavenly Locks, is friends with Eulgen, she had no idea the nonprofit would be chosen as the donation recipient. On Nov. 5, Community State Bank presented a $1,000 check to Heavenly Locks—enough to provide nearly three wigs. “I found out [about the donation] after they raised the funds,” said Fisher. “It was a great surprise.”