Raquel Strayer volunteers for a number of organizations.
She was born in Milwaukee but moved to Puerto Rico, where her mother was from, when her parents divorced. She graduated from Commonwealth High School in Puerto Rico in 1975 and came back to Wisconsin to attend the University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac.
Strayer then moved to the Gresham area and began working for Midwest Breeders (now CRI) in 1976. In 1980, she accepted a position at the alternative school in Keshena, leaving in 1983 when she enrolled in the extended degree program at UW-Green Bay. When the program was eliminated, Strayer served as part-time support staff at Menominee Indian High School.
She then got her broker’s and insurance license and worked at Country Aire Realty as office manager/closing coordinator.
Strayer and her husband, Greg, who has a business in Appleton, were married in 1985 and live in the town of Lessor. After their two sons were born, Raquel stayed home and began her many volunteer activities.
Q Where do you volunteer and what do you do for each one?
A Boy Scouts: “I volunteer my time on several Scouting committees, helping with Eagle projects, working at Scouting events and camporees, spending the summer as the camp director at Gardner Dam Scout Camp.”
Red Cross CPR and first aid instructor: “I volunteer my time to Scout troops, schools, and other groups to assist in teaching and certifying individuals in CPR, first aid and AED.”
Shawano Area Food Center: “I volunteer every Wednesday morning to help unpack and organize the food that comes to the food center each week. I help the local pantries and organizations to pick up and load the food into their vehicles.”
Bonduel High School Wellness Committee: “Our committee helps to educate and provide educational information to the Bonduel School District community.”
Bonduel Scholarship Committee: “I have been on this committee since it began in 1997. Our committee makes scholarship selections, we look at ways to develop future scholarships, and we assist with the senior banquet, and act as the liaison between the school district and the community foundations that fund the scholarships.”
Bonduel Track and Field Committee: “I have been on this committee since it began in 2003. We organized to begin a campaign to replace the schools running track and upgrade the football facility.”
Bonduel Tech Ed Department Support: “I am a community volunteer who likes to provide assistance for various programs and resources with the tech education department.”
Shawano Area Community Foundation: “I have been a board member since 2005. I have assisted in bringing several new funds to the foundation and serve as the co-chair for the Celebration of Giving award banquet each year.”
Community Foundation of Fox Valley Region: “Recently appointed to the board, I act as a liaison between the board and the Bonduel School District, and support communication between the Shawano and Appleton foundations.”
Wolfman Triathlon: “I am a board member and act as the event coordinator for the Wolfman Triathlon, which is hosted along the Wolf River and the Nicolet National Forest in Langlade County.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “A good friend once told me that it is important to lead by example. I believe that what you put into life, you will get out of life. If you spend no time putting anything in to your children, your school, your community, your government, you will see no spirit of growth, awareness, understanding, caring, compassion or learning. I believe it is up to our generation to set the example for the next generation to follow.”
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