UPDATE! Due to the outpouring of love and support for Joey, we raised the bar. All additional funds will go towards next years care (estimating $15k a year for several years). Our hearts are bursting with gratitude for the amazing kindness shown. Thank you so much.

For those of you that don’t know Joey, Joey Halvorson is a gift to the Brainerd Lakes area. Always a smile, a positive word, jumping in and volunteering at countless events every month. A treasured photographer- gifted with an artist’s eye, and darn funny! She is glue, binding people and communities together. Joey lovingly supports countless organizations in our area because to her, the joy of giving is what life is about. It’s no wonder she was Brainerd’s Citizen of the year in 2023 and will also be inducted into BHS Distinguished Achievement Hall of Fame this April.

In 2023, Joey was diagnosed with ALS. As she moves forward, Joey has chosen both traditional medicine and holistic modalities as her care. We really don’t know what every step will be in this process, yet we do know insurance will not cover the bulk of it. These funds will help her prepare and make the correct decisions regarding her care. We estimate the $15k will take her through 2024, any more is gladly accepted and will be saved for the following years.

Joey always puts others first, raising money for charities comes naturally to her, it is what fuels her soul. I knew Joey’s heart and believed she wouldn’t want to put herself out there in Go Fund Me, yet her journey requires assistance. Before bringing up GFM, I asked “Joey, what does giving to others feel like to you?” She started to glow, and stated, “it is everything, it is the reason we are here. It is absolute joy”. I paused, then brought up doing a GFM for her and she quickly said “no”. My response was, “So that means, you want to deprive people of the joy they will feel in helping you?” She pondered this deeply, then said, “ok, we can do it”. I wish you all Joy.