Sports Create Community

The Need

For years, they’ve coached and cheered each other’s kids, from the sidelines and from the stands.

Practices, fundraisers, games. Bus rides, hotels, team dinners. Wins and losses, cheers and tears. An unforgettable state title. As one said, “A lot of fun together throughout the years.”

David Windschitl, Andie Woods and Tina Davis all know each other as Bell Bank colleagues. But they also share a special connection through their kids’ sports in Chanhassen, Minn. – where over the years, they’ve all also gotten to know Tony Williams, a coach at Chanhassen, and his wife, Barb. Through various grades and sports teams, their sons played together, and David coached alongside Tony as well.

Last year, with Chanhassen’s high school football team winning the state championship, the whole community shared the thrill of victory.

Then came Barb’s breast cancer diagnosis. Prior to undergoing surgery, she began “a really tough” chemo regimen. Immediately, the Williams’ friends began to wonder what they could do to help.

“They’ve given so much to our community that I’ve been a part of,” says David, adding, “From coming off that big high … and having that real sobering life moment, we knew that these were the people we wanted to have our Pay It Forward funds go to.”

The Impact

Pooling their funds, the three Bell employees presented Barb and Tony with a check for $2,800 – with the idea that Barb, who would be losing her hair due to her treatments, could purchase a wig. It was a thoughtful gift, especially as Barb and Tony prepared for their oldest son’s wedding in May.

“It was just really good timing to feel that support,” Barb says.

For Andie, it’s unforgettable that Barb and Tony were part of the community that helped her through the journey of her husband’s terminal cancer.

“They supported me and pulled my kids under their wing,” she remembers. “Both Tony and Dave have been [mentors] for my children. To now give back to people that have given to me just means so much … We rally around one another.”

For David, echoing lessons learned from coaching, it’s important that the Williams family knows they aren’t alone.

“When we raise our children, it takes a community,” he observes. “When we go through these battles, it takes a community.”

And to Tina, being part of this gift has further cemented the connections among her colleagues and their dear friends. Experiences of athletics, and life, have brought them together – a family.

“Oh, these are our people,” she says. “They are our people, and we are each other’s people, and it’s a bond that can’t be broken now. It’s something that will last a lifetime.”

Through the Pay It Forward program, Bell gives employees money each year to donate to people in need and causes they care about.