A Toast to Living Well

Mari Beth Borek offers a toast in appreciation, "Thank you Wayne and Valerie, for a lifetime of giving back!"

On November 5th, Lutheran Homes and Health Services kicked off their first annual, “Toast to Living Well” fundraiser, by introducing Wayne P. Graczyk and Valerie A. Thibaudeau Graczyk as honorees of this years’ event.

Mr. and Mrs. Graczyk were chosen as honorees of this event because of the way they embrace life, health, and marriage, and for their spirituality. “Living long and living well is so much more than just being healthy or eating right”, says Mari Beth Borek, CEO of Lutheran Homes and Health Services, “it’s about the bigger picture of celebrating life. Wayne and Valerie’s passion, and commitment, to helping others live well embodies the spirit of this annual event. The way they have lived their lives, and continue to give back, symbolize the true meaning of living long and living well.”

Mr. Graczyk served as Principal of SS Mary and Joseph School and retired from the position of Public Superintendent of Schools. He now spends his retirement serving as Administrator of F.A.C.E.S. – Fond du Lac Area Catholic Educators System, is an active member of the Big Brother/Big Sisters program, and sits on the Fond du Lac Children’s Museum Board. In his spare time, he is a Substitute Teacher for surrounding school districts. Says Wayne, “You never know who’s life you might touch along the way, or when you’ll make a difference.”

Mrs. Gracyzk has been employed by Agnesian Health Care for the past thirty years, serving a number of positions to include: Director of Volunteers, Director of the Health Resource Center, and Executive Director of St. Agnes Foundation. She is one of the founders of the FDL Women’s fund, initiating the HOPE Mentoring Program, and has been nationally recognized twice for her work with the Congregation of Sister of St Agnes. Currently, she serves as part time Director of Communications for the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, and is an active member of the Big Brother/Big Sister program.

Thank you, Wayne and Valerie, for sharing and for inspiring us all to Live Long and Live Well.