Honoring his mother with contribution

By Marc Cannizzo

Thank you for this opportunity to honor my mother, Marianne Cannizzo-Bigler, who completed her journey in July 2016. She was born in Bern, Switzerland, and grew up in a household challenged by the great depression. After World War II, she met John, my father, who was serving with the US Army in Germany and they married in 1949 in New York City, where she became a naturalized US citizen. She spoke no English at the outset, but by the end of her life, had developed a fluency and vocabulary—based on a life time passion for reading—that attracted comment and admiration from her friends and family. Though she did not go to college, she was supportive of my father’s academic endeavors under the GI Bill, and together they created a home for us kids that was based on self-reliance, respect for others and a lifelong commitment to learning.

My parents persevered in running their own household until their 89th year of life (and nearly 66 years together). When nursing care became inevitable, our whole family came to appreciate the valuable services provided by healthcare professionals, whose efforts supplemented and enhanced the love and attention given by family members.

My parents would surely join me in thanking all those who have mastered the art of serving the public interest without undermining private dignity and the virtue of self-reliance.

There is much more to this sweet story.  Marc's niece, Stephanie shares more through the words of Marianne and John themselves by clicking here.

Write from the hand. Right from the soul.

Almost 25 years a young 15 -year-old Brian LaViolette picked up a ballpoint pen in the summer of 1992, he jotted down ‘’The Journey Is The Reward’’ on a 3 x 5 card.  We never realized that those poignant words Brian cherished would ultimately be the inspiration for the foundation that bears his name. 

Bringing us back to ballpoint pens in a world of smart phones and tablets, the pen is a tool that makes our civilization human. We believe that without pen to paper, great ideas would be forgotten. History, could be forgotten. Great achievements would lack humanity.

Milestone moments – parents signing a birth certificate, students penning a driver’s license, college application, marriage license, military oath, homeowner’s paperwork – all share a signature.

This poetic reality influenced the initiative behind the exclusive LaViolette Silver Anniversary Pen from the Brian LaViolette Foundation.  We’re pleased to introduce a new program in partnership with Riteline Writing Instruments of Dallas, TX.

The LaViolette Pen, in classic black with silver highlights, will write new chapters for you, and for future generations.

Your brand, company logo or personal statement will be put in the hands of people who are accomplishing great things in their personal and business lives. At the same time, you will help build an endowment that enables Brian’s Foundation to carry on for generations.

This exclusive pen will reward the hard work and community service each Brian LaViolette scholarship supports. Together, we can assist students on their educational journeys as they continue to make positive and everlasting marks on this earth.

Call us and find out how your brand, your company your logo or your very own inspirational statement can be put in the hands of people who are accomplishing great things in their personal and business life at the same time you will be helping to build an endowment that will enable Brian's Foundation to carry-on for generations to come.  

You will be in good company.  We are proud to share with you, these Friends of the Foundation who have signed on as our very first sponsors in this nationwide program.

For more details on how you can be part of a chapter in this amazing story, contact Doug LaViolette at 920-655-4098

Sponsors

Platinum- $1000.00 level:

                   Hewlett Packard, Ariens, Nicolet National Bank, Pierce Manufacturing

Silver- $400.00 level:

                  Nueske's Applewood Smoked Meats, Oshkosh Airport Products

Pens with a Purpose

“Our experience ordering “Pens for a Purpose” for Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats, was fast and easy. 

With each pen we share, we are supporting the achievements of hard-working scholars through the distribution of the Brian LaViolette Foundations’ scholarship programs. The pens look slick and write with super-smooth ink flow.  

Thanks to the Foundation for offering us a quality promotional good with the added benefit of helping others.”

Megan Dorsch, Marketing Manager, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats

For more details on Pens with a Purpose, visit http://www.briansjourney.com/pens-with-a-purpose/

2017 Scholarship Presentation Dates!

This year marks the 25th year of awarding scholarships through the Brian LaViolette Foundation.  Starting with one scholarship at DePere High School, the Foundation now awards nearly 51 scholarships annually in the memory of others, allowing their spirit to live on.

Thomas Hudner: Fox Valley Civil Air Patrol- April 22nd

Sal Giunta: JFK High School, Cedar Rapid, IA- April 24, 6:30 pm

Joel Gentz: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN- April 29, 6:00 pm    

General George S. Patton: Pilsen, Czech Republic,- May 6th

Kyle Hemauer: Chilton High School, WI-May 10, 7:00 pm

Victoria Parmentier Scholarship: Ashwaubenon High School, WI-May 10, 6:30

Matt Atkinson: Green Bay East High School, WI- May 15, 7:00 pm  

Len Keller: Auburn High School, Rockford, IL- May 16, 6:00

Joe Welke: Rapid City Stevens High School, SD- May 16, 7:00pm

Samantha Rose Cuene: DePere High School, WI- May 17, 6:30 pm

David Parmentier:  DePere High School, WI- May 17, 6:30 pm

John Bradley: Appleton West High School, WI- May 17, 6:30pm

Ken Kubsch: Manitowoc High School, WI- May 17, 7:00pm

Ron Sager: Fox Valley Lutheran High School, WI- May 17, 6:00 pm 

Isaiah Hunt: Bayport High School, WI- May 19, 9:00 am

Ken Hess: AC Reynolds High School, Asheville, NC- May 23, 6:00 pm

Rachel Bosveld: Waupun High School, WI- May 24, 6:00 pm 

James Cathey: Reno High School, NV- May 24, 6:00 pm

Danny Dietz: Heritage High School, Littleton, CO- May 24, 6:30 pm

Wendell and Shanna Ellsworth (2 scholarships): Belding High School, MI, May 24, 7:00 pm

Nichole Frye: Lena High School, WI-May 24, 7:30 pm 

Nueske Family (2 scholarships): Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School, WI, May 24, 7:00 pm  

Brent Vroman: Omro High School, WI-May 24, 6:30 pm 

Robert Foley: United States Military Academy, West Point NY- May 25, 5:00

Ryan Jerabek: Pulaski High School, WI- May 25, 7:00 pm

Andrew Brownfield: North High School, Akron OH- May 26, 9:00 am

Above and Beyond Scholarship: Oconto High School, WI-May 24, 6:30 pm 

Esther Cleveland Safford: Oconto High School, WI- May 24 6:30 pm  

Robert Safford: Oconto High School, WI- May 24, 6:30 pm

"The Journey is the Reward": Oconto High School, WI-May 24, 6:30 pm  

NWTC Scholarship: Oconto High School, WI- May 24, 6:30 pm  

Jerome Hatfield: Tunstall High School, Dry Fork VA- To be announced

Brian LaViolette: Partners in Education- Late-May

Ollie and Helen Bogsted: Suring High School, WI- May 27th

"The Journey is the Reward": Suring High School, WI- May 27th

NWTC Scholarship: Suring High School, WI- May 27th

Eric McColley: Gettysburg High School, PA-May 25, 7:00 pm 

Ken Stumpf, Elmer Burr: Menasha High School, WI-May 30, 9:00 am 

Jesse Thiry: Luxemburg Casco High School, WI, May 31, 9:00 am 

Ben Edinger: Green Bay West High School, WI- May 31 6:30pm 

Ray Zimmerman (3 scholarships): Green Bay West High School, WI- May 31, 6:30 pm

Mike Colalillo: Denfeld High School, MN-June 1, 6:30pm

Nainoa Hoe: 1Lt Nainoa K. Hoe Battle Command Training Center, Schofield Barracks, HI- August 28th

LEAP School Science and Math, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa-Summer of 2017

Poland Scholarships (2 Scholarships): Nidzica Foundation Award Ceremony, Nidzica Poland- September 2017

Bellin College Scholarship- Green Bay, WI- October 2017

St. Norbert Scholarships (2 Scholarships): DePere, WI --October 2017

Junior Achievement- Business Challenge-Awarded February 2017

Nonprofit Spotlight for Go Valley Kids Organization

Go Valley Kids is a complete community guide for family activities and information in Northeast Wisconsin, focusing on the Fox Valley area. As proud local parents we love sharing all our community has to offer by educating, entertaining and empowering families to lead happy, healthy lives.

Brian's Foundation is featured as their Non-profit Spotlight for March!  Thank you for sharing our story, GVK!

http://govalleykids.com/brian-laviolette-scholarship-foundation/