By Taylor Hale
CENTRAL WISCONSIN – A Wisconsin Rapids family received a community gift that made 2021 their Best Christmas Ever on Christmas Eve.

The Dotter family in Wisconsin Rapids received gifts and funding from the Best Christmas Ever (BCE) program, a project created in 2010 intended to help families in need celebrate the holiday season.

Single mother and poll worker in Grand Rapids, Lisa Dotter, was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a rare type of cancer of the blood in September. One of Dotter’s friends, Jan Peronto, nominated her for the international program, which was being locally funded by Premier Realty.

“I proceeded to nominate Lisa and her two children, Kaden (grade eight) and Kaya (grade six), as this year’s recipient,” said Peronto. “Not long afterward, I received a phone call from Matt Tranel and learned their team chose Lisa as their first recipient. I cried knowing that there really is no way I could have done what is happening here today on my own.”

The family received numerous gifts, including an Xbox for Kaden, an iPad for Kaya, and a smartwatch for Lisa, to help her with scheduling future medical appointments. The program also donated a new furnace unit, washer and dryer, and $7,500 to be used to pay for lodging during her treatment season in Madison.

Peronto said the family was visibly moved by the kind gesture, and that the community was with them all the way.

“This is also our promise and commitment to you that we support you in your journey to better health and believe there will be lots of joyful Christmases to come for all of you,” said Peronto during her speech during the Christmas Eve presentation.

Dotter began her bone marrow transplant and treatment during the week of Jan. 3.

Premier Realty is looking at funding two families for the 2022 Best Christmas Ever program.