Collaboration in Kindness: Making Christmas a Little More Special
In Her Own Words: Molthen-Bell administrator Pam Bierbach talks candidly about two amazing groups of people coming together to fulfill each other's holiday wishes.
The Special Needs Breakfast
is an event that the Oak Creek High School initiated some years ago.
A lot of these families don't venture out with their kids to the malls or city events because it can become an issue. People stare, people don't understand if these little ones get anxious and can't wait their turn for Santa.
A lot of these families don't venture out with their kids to the malls or city events because it can become an issue. People stare, people don't understand if these little ones get anxious and can't wait their turn for Santa.
So my best friend, who runs the Oak Creek Community Center , asked us women for help.
She created a morning event where kids can come see Santa, run around if they want, enjoy making crafts, mail letters to Santa and listen to the Oak Creek High School choir.
With donations from Molthen-Bell and other local service groups, it has become quite a bit bigger than in the past, and due to this generosity, all the kids actually got a present from Santa this year.
It's such a good feeling and I am blessed to be part of the greatest group of women in the world.
Some parents come up to us, cry, thank us for volunteering so they can relax and not feel that anyone is watching their kids act out.
After the kids leave, we clean up, cry and feel good that we can do this for them.
At Molthen-Bell, we believe we are all made stronger with the support of family and friends. That our community binds us in faith, service and common understanding. And that our stories hold the promise of bringing together generations for years to come.
We invite contact from local service groups that share similar values and may be in need of support. Reach us to learn more.
We invite contact from local service groups that share similar values and may be in need of support. Reach us to learn more.

By Stacy Smith, Licensed Funeral Director
•
August 17, 2026
At Molthen-Bell Funeral Home, supporting our community means honoring the people who have dedicated their lives to serving others. This summer, we were proud to continue one of our favorite annual traditions by welcoming local veterans and their families to our fourth annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner. Approximately 30 guests joined us at the funeral home for an evening centered on good food, music, conversation and, most importantly, gratitude. An Evening Dedicated to Our Veterans Our Veterans Appreciation Dinner began four years ago with a simple purpose: to give back to the veterans, military members, and families who have sacrificed so much for our country and our communities. Each year, we have been grateful to welcome veterans and their loved ones through our doors, not during a time of loss, but for an opportunity to gather, connect and celebrate their service. Members of the Molthen-Bell team, including Nick Schilling, Lisa Comp Manley, Samantha Carlos, Israel Willingham, Amber Wallermann and Bryce Vuckovich, were honored to spend the evening with our guests and hear their stories. While this year's attendance was smaller than in previous years, likely due in part to an air quality advisory related to area fires, the evening was no less meaningful. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who was able to join us. An Unexpected Honor One moment from this year's dinner made the evening particularly special. During the event, representatives from American Legion Post 27 in South Milwaukee surprised our team by presenting Molthen-Bell Funeral Home with a plaque recognizing our support and generosity toward local veterans. We had no idea the recognition was coming, which made the moment even more meaningful. To be recognized by the very people we gathered to honor was incredibly humbling. We are deeply grateful to American Legion Post 27 for this unexpected honor and, even more so, for the opportunity to continue supporting the veterans in our community. A Tradition We Are Proud to Continue Over the past four years, the Veterans Appreciation Dinner has become much more than an annual event for our team. It is a tradition that reflects what Molthen-Bell Funeral Home believes community service should be about: showing up, building relationships, and expressing gratitude to those who have given so much. The feedback we receive each year from veterans and their families reminds us why we continue to host this gathering. Hearing that our guests feel appreciated and valued makes every moment worthwhile. We are already looking forward to welcoming our veterans and their families back next year. To all veterans, active-duty military members, and military families: thank you for your service, your sacrifices, and the example you set for our community. It is our privilege to honor you.










