Page 8 - TRI program_2020_FlipBuilder Edition

Easterseals Changing Lives Award 2020:
The Muehlbauer & Gilberg families

“God has blessed our family. I believe
He expects us to share our blessings
with others who haven’t been so
fortunate.” That’s how Jim Muehlbauer
explains why he, his wife Mary Kay, and
their family are strong supporters of
Easterseals.
The connection started in the early
1970s. Jim was asked to work on the
Easterseals Rehabilitation Center’s
annual fund drive, so he and Mary Kay
toured the building. “We saw the work they were doing with children,” Jim
said. “I think I was hooked from that moment!”
Jim was Easterseals Board Chair in 1974-75. He has volunteered on
multiple capital campaigns to expand and improve Easterseals facilities.
He also built a longstanding relationship between Easterseals, the Koch
Foundation, and Koch Enterprises, where he is Vice Chairman. “One of
our Core Values is Community Involvement. We believe that we have an
obligation to try to make our community a better place. Easterseals is a
great place to put that phrase into action.”
Mary Kay and Jim were also among the first donors to join Easterseals’
premier annual giving level, the Presidents’ Council, when it began in
1996. “Easterseals is helping people who might not be able to get that
help anywhere else,” Jim said. “It is far too easy to forget about the many
human needs in our community and just assume that ‘somebody will take
care of them’. We can be one of the ‘somebodies’ by helping Easterseals.”
Jim and Mary Kay’s involvement set an example for the whole family,
including son Brad Muehlbauer, President of Koch Air. “My parents have
always been great role models for showing us the importance and value
of helping others and giving back,”
Brad said. He followed in his
dad’s footsteps by serving on the
Easterseals Board and Executive
Committee. Brad and his wife Lynn
have also been Presidents’ Council
members since 2005. “Walking
through the halls and seeing the
life-changing work being done
makes it an easy choice,” he said.
“The staff is so dedicated and