Amara Rose Foundation, Inc.

12/01/2025

There are already so many ornaments on the tree. This is so sad. But we also realize how important it is for people to hang them…to show how much their loved ones are missed, and this is how we can get that grief out in a beautiful way. When we can’t see them or hear them anymore, we honor them by writing their names down and showing the passersby—or the ones that stop—that their lives still matter.
Cherie is Mari’s cousin and took her turn to hang an ornament in memory of her. Cherie also hung one for the father of her adopted daughter, who lost his life to addiction. So much sadness, but we all carry on and keep their lights shining when and where we can.

11/27/2025

11/25/2025

After a dramatic drop in overdose deaths last year, new numbers show the downward trend is holding steady in La Crosse County but health leaders say the community can’t afford

11/24/2025

UK journalist Ben Barry is doing his part in raising awareness of the dangers of fentanyl, not just by featuring our story but Penny and Jake Nelson’s story. The article ran on the SWNS website earlier this month, and the link is in the comments.

11/23/2025

There it is! We walked up to the tree and told it that it has a very important job to do at Rotary Lights, La Crosse. Amara’s youngest sister helped Heidi this year. Opening night is November 28th, after the parade. As always, there are ornaments for you to write on and hang to honor your loved one. Many thanks to AyJay for getting the topper on after we left. ❤️🎄

11/21/2025

She left six years ago today. She didn’t get to say goodbye. She didn’t hug everyone before she was taken away. She was just simply gone.
Fentanyl ended Cierra’s life. It didn’t just end this beautiful woman’s song, it devastated her family and friends, who are all still trying to live without her.
Mama Jackie, we think of you every day, but today we are thinking of you extra hard and sending hugs your way. Please know it wasn’t a final goodbye and the great reunion will happen someday. We all look forward to that, and that is what keeps us going. ❤️❤️❤️

"As night falls, your absence felt,

In the darkness, my heart does melt.

Stars above, like eyes that weep,

In their glow, your memory I keep.



The moon’s soft light, a silent guide,

In its beams, my tears I hide.

A companion in the lonely night,

In its embrace, my thoughts alight.



Yet in this night, a comfort found,

In its quiet, your presence bound.

In nightfall’s embrace, you’re not far,

In the moon and stars, there you are."

11/20/2025

Today is the last day to vote if you are a co-op member. If we are one of the 11 chosen, we can raise more awareness with ads or messages on buses, etc. We can help more people. The possibilities are many, and the work is ongoing.

Voting is open for the 2026 Give Where You Live (GWYL) register round-up program!

Now through November 20th, co-op owners can vote for up to eleven unique organizations to be the 2026 GWYL recipients.

💚Give Where You Live is a co-op owner-driven community giving program.
💚Since the program began in 2017, we have collectively raised and donated over $300,000 for local schools and non-profits!
💚Your participation and generous contributions at the registers help support valuable programs in our community!

Find more about the program and vote at: https://www.viroquafood.coop/gwyl.

Co-op owners can vote through our website, at a kiosk at the co-op, or via a link sent to their email. Thank you to all who participate. Keep rounding up!

11/19/2025

We can’t let this day go by without wishing our very own Julie Mills (one of our board directors) a Happy Birthday! Another year behind her and another wonderful year of doing good things before her…she’s been a blessing to our foundation in so many ways. 🥰

11/18/2025

From earlier this month. We believe in this cause and the people who run it and are so happy to be a part of these men's recovery journey!

💛 Stronger Together 💛

The Driftless Recovery Community Foundation has teamed up with the Amara Rose Foundation, Inc. Foundation to help keep the men in the sober house nourished and supported while they await the government’s re-opening and the return of their SNAP benefits.

This partnership is a beautiful reminder of what can happen when our community comes together to lift one another up. 💪

Thank you to everyone who continues to give, support, and stand with those in recovery. 💛

11/17/2025

Seize those interview opportunities. One interview by journalist Ben Barry from SWNS in the UK led to one of our board directors, Scott Bjerkos, raising awareness on an international scale. His story and our foundation were featured in the UK’s "The Sun" and on the MSN news site. One of our supporters' son’s story was also published on the SWNS website. The link to “The Sun” article is in the comments. Our site has had views from all over the world.

Did you know that, according the “The Sun,” the U.S. has seen one million fentanyl deaths since 2000, and there were 60 fentanyl deaths in the UK in 2024? While any death is one too many, we find the stat differences between the two countries alarming.

11/17/2025

11/15/2025

Hey, everyone! If you are a Co-op member, please vote for us for their Give Where You Live campaign! We haven’t made it yet, but maybe this year…it’s a GREAT program. Thank you!

Voting is open for the 2026 Give Where You Live (GWYL) register round-up program!

Now through November 20th, co-op owners can vote for up to eleven unique organizations to be the 2026 GWYL recipients.

💚Give Where You Live is a co-op owner-driven community giving program.
💚Since the program began in 2017, we have collectively raised and donated over $300,000 for local schools and non-profits!
💚Your participation and generous contributions at the registers help support valuable programs in our community!

Find more about the program and vote at: https://www.viroquafood.coop/gwyl.

Co-op owners can vote through our website, at a kiosk at the co-op, or via a link sent to their email. Thank you to all who participate. Keep rounding up!