Madison,
10
May
2018
|
04:00 AM
America/Chicago

Peter and Ellen Walton lend hands to their community

Summary

Wisconsin agent and his wife give back in countless and creative ways.

Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, American Family insurance agent Peter Walton and his wife Ellen are a team in life, agency, and, more often than not, the community.

Between the two – Peter is an agent and Ellen an agent assistant – the Waltons are involved in more than they can count on both their hands, combined.

“When you live and work in a town of 8,000 people, you develop a sense of ownership,” says Ellen. “When you own something, it's only natural to want to take care of it, nurture it and make it all that it can be. That’s what we try and do with our community.”

Whether it’s dressing in costume, teaching classes, coaching or volunteering at local events, you won’t have trouble finding the Waltons in Mt. Horeb. Their activities include:

  • Board members: Of the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Winter Festival and Children’s Community School.
  • Mascot work: Peter dresses up as Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Cat in the Hat for the local library. He also serves as the mascot for Mt. Horeb’s high school teams.
  • Helping kids: The Waltons teach Sunday School, coach youth sports teams, support parents of troubled kids and Reach-a-Child.
  • Frolic Parade: The Waltons emcee, serve food, sell tickets and bartend.
  • Fitness: The Waltons are part of a CORPS group that brings awareness to mountain biking and helps create trails in town.
  • Walk and Wine: A women’s social group that hikes, then ends the day with a glass of wine and socializing.

When asked if their volunteer efforts benefit their business, Peter and Ellen had a quick response.

“Of course it does, but that’s not the motivation. Customers appreciate what we do, and word spreads, but it’s about giving back,” says Peter. “That’s what AmFam agents do.”

So, while the Waltons can’t count their community service activities on four hands, it doesn’t matter.

They just want to lend another.