We recognize Sue Aschliman of Clintonville as this week’s Community Helper.
Sue became a Clintonville resident in 1998 and decided to begin getting involved in community efforts as a way to familiarize herself with the city while getting to meet new people. It all started by getting involved at her church.
“First I was in PTA, then I was asked to be on the Board of Youth, then they asked me to be the junior youth leader,” she explained. “When people resigned from the youth leadership, they asked me if I could help with that, so I’ve basically been involved with the youth in our church for 15 years.”
From there, her involvements continued into the rest of the community. She’s spent time working with the chamber of commerce, serving in the role of acting president as well as the chamber board.
Aschliman also donates her time working with the Clintonville Rotary and the Bear Creek Lion’s.
“It’s just meeting new people and finding different things that they enjoy doing. People are really fascinating if you take the time to listen to them and learn from them.”
As a part of the rotary club, Sue is a Rotary Exchange Officer where she’s had several different students from all over the world.
“We live so differently,” Aschliman said of their lifestyles. “Normally, they’re coming from a big city and they’re coming to rural Wisconsin. They’re coming to a small community and they get to know people. In those big cities and stuff you just kind of get lost. I think they really develop a lot of friendships with a lot of different people.”
Aschliman has been recognized for her work by the club’s she’s been involved with. She’s been named Rotarian of the year for the Rotary and recently she received the honor of Bear Creek Lion of the Year. All of which are a great honor.
“It’s very humbling,” Sue said about the honors she’s received. “You don’t do work to get a nomination for it. You do it because you have a passion for those things. It’s very humbling and very flattering to be nominated for that.”
Helping others is nothing new for Sue. It’s something she had learned at a young age.
“I believe I have inherited that from my mother. Not only taking over their business, but learning to not do selfish acts. Do selfless acts for other people. It’s so rewarding.”
One of those selfless acts was when she took the lead on setting up a donation fund at a local bank for a local family that fell victim to a fire.
“The Wang family, people kept coming in and it was like how can we help these people? I contacted the bank and the tears and emotion in his eyes and when he saw how the community came together to help them get through a horrible situation. Even though it was a bad experience for them, it was a good experience that he knew that their community was behind them.”
She adds that the Clintonville community is special and there many giving people willing to donate their time and efforts in a variety of ways.
“I’m not the only person that goes out and does wonderful things for people, even just the community meal every Thursday night,” said Aschliman. “Churches that help the less fortunate have a nice warm meal every week that they can count on and rely on.”
It’s safe to say that Sue Aschliman has made an impact on many lives in the Clintonville community and she’d say that many have made an impact on hers as well. Those who may want to get involved in the community may need to look no further.
“Come and talk to me of what your interests are,” she encourages others. “I’ll tell you where to go, or the chamber office can direct people. There’s lots of things to be involved in.”
Sue Aschliman can be found at her businesses B & H Footwear or B & H Fashionwear, each located on S. Main Street in Clintonville. Congratulations to Sue and her work in the community. This week’s Community Helper.