Sims Among The Men Who Cook for Christine Ann

Art Rathjen, Foundation President; Darryl Sims, Director of Athletics; Greg Wypiszynski, Director of Graduate Studies; and John Strous, Medical Technology Program Director; are cooking for The Oscars-themed Christine Ann Men Who Cook fundraiser, which starts with cocktails at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m.

Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Inc., is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit agency serving individuals and families in Winnebago and Green Lake Counties who are struggling with the devastating effects of domestic abuse.

Men Who Cook is the largest fundraiser for Christine Ann. Funds are raised through the event tickets, silent and live auction items and raffle ticket sales.

“It’s our obligation to do what we can that helps our community, to support something this important,” Strous, who has been cooking for Men Who Cook for 12 years, said. Strous will be cooking ginger soy salmon with his wife Tess, who prepares the glaze and helps serve guests.

Men Who Cook is structured so the participating chefs – more than 50 this year – purchase their own ingredients to serve event-goers, which means the price of the entire event ticket goes to the cause. Aside from purchasing a dinner ticket, the community can make donations by voting for their favorite chef.

Julie Keller, executive director at Christine Ann, said the participation from UW-Oshkosh men reflects the strong collaboration with the University and Christine Ann.

“We are grateful for the University’s support and the partnership that we have developed,” Keller said.

Rathjen, in his first year as a chef and third year volunteering for Men Who Cook, said he and his wife Pam got involved because they believe everyone has the right to live in a home without domestic abuse and violence.

“We believe domestic abuse is a wide-spread problem that generally goes undetected and is detrimental to a healthy and successful family structure,” Rathjen said. “The health and welfare of any community is contingent upon the health and welfare of its residents.”

Rathjen will be cooking Momma’s Karen’s all-day mushrooms, which will be served as a garnish to Sims’ sauteed pork cutlets with tomato bacon and creole mustard.

“This kind of fundraising event, like many others, is widely-supported by a generous faculty and staff who give so much time and energy to support our community,” Rathjen said.