Gifts From The Heart

Talk to Dave and Marge Hamacher for just a few minutes and you'll immediately realize the kind of people they are. They're the type you want in your family or circle of friends. Genuine. Modest. Kind. Altruistic. Fortunately for us, they have been members of our Children’s Wisconsin extended family since the 1980s.

"Our first encounter with Children’s Wisconsin was when our son, Greg, had a heart condition six weeks after he was born. We weren't in a position to be charitable then. But we knew we wanted to help someday because of the moving experience we had," Marge said.

Dave, a pharmacist, began his career in the retail chain pharmacy business. In 1980, he founded D.P. Hamacher & Associates, now Hamacher Resource Group, a pharmacy consulting, merchandising and marketing firm in Milwaukee. Marge wore several hats in the organization too, working in public relations, special events and human resources.

The Hamachers have four children: two daughters and two sons. Three of their children each have three children of their own. With nine grandchildren, the family continues to turn to Children’s Wisconsin for care. Dave also serves on the Children’s Wisconsin and Health System Foundation Board of Directors and the President's Council.

Through the years, the Hamachers have made a truly significant commitment to Children’s Wisconsin through their gifts, especially to their endowed fund, the Hamacher Pharmacy Fund. They also have made Children’s Wisconsin a beneficiary of their wills. Their most recent donation supports construction of the hospital's West Tower, which will open its doors to patients in 2009. The tower will include the new Hamacher Family Pharmacy, named in honor of the family's generous support.

"There isn't a better investment than children today," Dave said. "If you've never had a reason to use Children’s Wisconsin's services, you're really lucky. You don't know how great the organization is until you need it. We're so fortunate to have it in our community."