htrnews.com | Nov. 2011
FUTURE
15
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Afton Bruckschen enjoys the movie, “The Blind Side.” “It makes me realize how blessed I am to have all the things in my life that I do,” she said. Bruckschen’s goto movie snacks are “popcorn and anything chocolate.”
Katie Holmes would be Bruckschen’s cast choice to play her in a movie. “I just remember being able to relate to her while she was Joey on ‘Dawson’s Creek,’” Bruckschen said. “She played the role perfectly and she seems like a very down-to-earth, caring person.” In her free time, Bruckschen enjoys reading, camping, hiking, bonfires and hanging out with friends.
Bruckschen Administrative Assistant, Americollect A desire to help and inspire others is the premise under which Afton Bruckschen lives her life. “I want to be successful in everything I do, but I also want success for those around me,” she said. “I’m willing to help out a co-worker or friend any way I can to help them reach the level of success they have set for themselves. I believe nothing is out of reach. It might take a while to get where you want to be, but in the end you will reach your goal,” added Bruckschen. While working as administrative assistant at Americollect, she also wants to help others in the community continue to grow. She serves as the fundraising co-organizer and believes that money raised to find cures for diseases or to help those in need is extremely important. Americollect fundraisers in the past have included: The March of Dimes, Big Brothers Big Sisters and breast cancer awareness, raising money through silent auctions, food days and fun games. This year, they have added two more fundraisers, a Walk for Multiple Sclerosis and a Walk for Alzheimer’s disease. “Both of these diseases affect many people throughout the community and by working together to raise money, we can and will help make a difference,” said Bruckschen.
Also every year, back-to-school items are gathered and donated to the Domestic Violence Center. “There are families in our community who don’t have the basic necessities their children need for school, and I love that we are able to provide them with the needed materials,” she said. They also pick two or three families every year and buy them Christmas gifts anonymously. The gifts are wrapped and then given to the Salvation Army to distribute to the families. Last year, Americollect employees took part in their first-ever Christmas caroling group at the Manitowoc Health Care Center, with the help of some of the members there. “It was such a great feeling to see how such a small and simple act of kindness really does affect others in the community,” noted Bruckschen. She also serves as a preschool teacher at Jesus’ Lambs of Grace Preschool in Manitowoc. She has an elementary teaching degree and is continually learning new concepts that help not only in the classroom, but in daily life. “My students challenge me in ways that make me want to attend conferences and learning workshops so I can better reach the needs of the children, their families and also my co-workers. These jobs both give me the opportunity to do the things that I love, continuing to learn new things and helping others in the community,” said Bruckschen. She is single with no children. Her boyfriend is Zach Haag.
Jewelry provided by Rummele’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts.
CONGRATULATIONS 2011 WINNERS WI-5001403112
MANITOWOC, WISCONSIN