Support Kevin Wille & His Family Through ALS

Dear Friends, Family, and Compassionate Strangers,

It is with a heavy heart that we share the story of our dear friend Kevin, and his wonderful family – his wife Taylor, and their two young daughters, Fiona (9) and Rori (7). They live in Columbus, MN, where Kevin works as a maintenance manager at Dairy Farmers of America, and Taylor works at General Mills in workplace violence prevention. Together, they are a kind and loving family who always open their hearts and home to others.

Kevin's Story:

Kevin is the dad who builds ice rinks in the backyard for his kids during the winter, and the husband who fixes everything around the house. He’s the friend who spends weekends doing yard work and then invites everyone over for a bonfire. He loves board game days with friends, all things superhero, and like a true Minnesotan, the MN Wild and MN Frost have his heart. Kevin is the definition of a strong, hands-on, dependable man, always putting his family and friends first.

In August of 2024, things began to change for Kevin. He started having trouble gripping tools, his walking became unsteady, and his muscles began to weaken. Simple tasks around the house became increasingly difficult and then came the falls. Every step he took became something he had to think about. His speech became labored and slurred and it became clear that something was seriously wrong. His muscles were not working correctly and things were getting worse. Kevin and Taylor went to the doctor desperate for answers. One appointment became two, then three, then countless as they tried to make sense of what was going on.

ALS Diagnosis:

Kevin and his family finally received the devastating news on February 20th, 2025 – Kevin had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Since his symptoms first appeared in August 2024, Kevin has already had to adjust to life with ALS. He now relies on a walker or walking sticks to navigate his home, and his therapy has shifted away from muscle strengthening to only focusing on breathing, swallowing, and energy conservation. Over time, as the disease progresses, he will lose the ability to move his arms and legs, which means he will no longer be able to engage in the activities he loves or provide the care and support his family needs. The progression is rapid, and most people only live 2-5 years after being diagnosed with ALS.

The Road Ahead:

The journey that ALS patients and their families go through is unimaginably hard. As muscle control deteriorates, basic tasks like eating, drinking, and even breathing become increasingly difficult, often requiring specialized equipment. With no cure in sight, the focus shifts to managing symptoms and making life as comfortable as possible. Unfortunately, ALS does not just take away a person’s physical abilities and independence—it also places an enormous burden on the family, both emotionally and financially.

As Kevin’s condition worsens, the Wille family will need to make many changes to their home to ensure that it is accessible for Kevin. These adjustments will be costly, and the family is also facing mounting medical bills and the reality of lost income as Kevin’s ability to work declines.

How You Can Support:

In light of everything, we are asking for your help to raise $40,000 to support Kevin and his family through this incredibly challenging journey. There are a couple ways to help us reach this goal or support Kevin and his family in a different way.

Here’s Where Your Money Will Make A Difference:

Home Modifications for Safety:

Therapy & Medical Needs:

Daily Support:

Additional Needs:

THANK YOU!!

On behalf of Kevin, Taylor, Fiona, and Rori, thank you for taking the time to read this and for your generosity. Your support means more than words can express. Together, we can make a real difference for this incredible family during their toughest time. Every dollar, every share, every act of kindness matters.