I Wish All of This for You
By: Kevin Nuppnau | Vice President, Porter County Community Foundation
On July 3, 2024, my wife, Kara, and I welcomed our first child, Jack Paul Nuppnau, into the world. He arrived at Northwest Health Porter surrounded by an exhausted mother, an anxious father, excited grandparents, and a team of the most caring nurses. In that moment, a wish had come true.
In the months leading up to that day, we were on a mission. We consumed every book, video, podcast, and class we could find. Since he was our first, we were determined to have it all figured out. Our friends laughed at our spreadsheets and assured us that parental instincts would eventually kick in, and no matter what the situation, we’d be okay.
They were right. We quickly learned that wherever our preparation fell short, our love for Jack filled the gap. We realized that being a parent isn't about having all the answers; it’s about showing up. For those of you here who are parents, I know you know exactly what that feels like.
While it often feels like our primary jobs are being parents, I am also incredibly fortunate to serve as the Vice President of the Porter County Community Foundation. In this role, I am tasked with philanthropic stewardship and leadership in our community. Every season of life brings a new perspective, and in this current season, my 'why' has become much clearer. Knowing that the work we do at PCCF today is building a more resilient, vibrant community for Jack to grow up in makes every project deeply impactful. I’ve been blessed throughout my career to work for organizations where the results are tangible, and PCCF is certainly no exception.
Jack is nearly two years old now, and I am incredibly blessed to share a bond with him that mirrors the one I have with my own father. As I mentioned, we tried to prepare for his arrival with every resource we could find. Shortly after Jack was born, we discovered the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, supported locally by the Porter County Community Foundation and First Things First. Every month, books are sent to thousands of children across Porter County, but for me, the most important one is the one I find in my own mailbox. The arrival of a new book has become the foundation of our relationship.
The data on the intellectual impact of reading to children is undeniable, but for me, it’s the moments that matter most. Holding Jack in my arms and watching his eyes scan the pages has as much an impact on my heart as it does on his mind. My favorite book we’ve received is 'I Wish You More' by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld. Some books are about a single wish. Some books are about three wishes. This book is about endless wishes.
Jack was a wish that came true. As we continue our work at the Community Foundation, my goal is to ensure that every family in Porter County has the resources to make their wishes come true.
Jack, I wish all of this for you, because you are everything I could wish for, and more.
And for all of you, I wish you exactly the same.