The NorthLakes Community Clinic Ashland & Bayfield Counties 100 Who Care membership selected the Cheq Bay Community Radio to receive $10,000 for the Arts, Literacy and Museum category.
Operating as WVCB—the Voice of Chequamegon Bay—this volunteer-driven radio station serves nine communities on the South Shore of Lake Superior. The station addresses challenges common to rural areas, including limited access to regional news, social isolation, and the need for stronger community networks. Through local programming in music, news, documentaries, and discussions, WVCB aims to strengthen the sense of place and connection in the communities it serves by amplifying underrepresented voices, promoting local culture, and fostering dialogue on important local issues.
“WVCB would like to sincerely thank the 100 Who Care giving circle for its support,” said Tim Pavlish, one of the WVCB founders. “With these funds, we will have the resources to buy equipment and build a small studio in downtown Ashland to begin on-air broadcasting on 97.7 FM later this year. We are excited to bring locally-produced, community-inspired radio to the south shore and Chequamegon Bay.”
The NorthLakes 100 Who Care initiative has been boosted through the new Dave Beeksma Memorial Fund. Kathy Beeksma created this fund, which has reached $14,000, honoring Dave, her husband and former mental health services director at NorthLakes. The fund contributes to the NorthLakes Community Clinic Endowment while providing $1,750 to each runner-up nominee in 2025. Recent arts, literacy and museums nominees included Washburn Library and WOJB. Two giving rounds remain in 2025: environment/animals/garden/recreation (July) and social services (September). As founding members, Kathy and Dave championed collective giving, and this fund continues Dave’s legacy of supporting community-enhancing nonprofits.
The 100 Who Care chapters, founded and hosted by NorthLakes Community Clinic, are modeled after the national 100 Who Care Alliance movement. This initiative brings together members who pool their resources, learn about local community needs, and collectively decide where to direct their donations. It supports neighboring nonprofits that work to remove barriers to well-being and strengthen the community. For more information, please get in touch with Madelaine Rekemeyer at mrekemeyer@nlccwi.org.
Photo: Elizabeth Andre, Dave Ullman and NorthLakes CEO, Ana Tochterman accepting NorthLakes 100 Who Care collective funds.
