Bubba’s Fund is a charitable fund created in loving memory of
Charlie Lonning Weber — affectionately called “Bubba” by those who knew and cherished him.

Through our partnership with the La Crosse Area Community Foundation, we are committed to turning unimaginable loss into a powerful legacy of life-saving tools, joyful play, and lasting impact for children.

Bubba’s Fund

For Charlie. For Children.

Learn more about Charlie’s story, our mission, and the people working together to create meaningful community impact.

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The La Crosse Area Community Foundation is the home to Bubba’s Fund Donor Advised Fund. This partnership empowers us to immediately begin fulfilling our mission: improving the safety, opportunity, and wellbeing of children.

Rooted in La Crosse, Wisconsin, our project-based approach begins with a vital, urgent goal—placing life-saving AEDs (automated external defibrillators) in every state-licensed child care facility in the city.

This is just the start. As Bubba’s Fund grows, so will our reach and impact.

Donate to Bubba’s Fund at La Crosse Area Community Foundation to help us protect children, empower families, and create safer spaces—one project at a time.

To Donate

Projects & Impacts

  • Every minute counts.

    Wisconsin State Licensed childcare centers have staff who are required to be certified in CPR and AED use, but the state does not require an AED to be installed in each facility — and that’s where Bubba’s Fund stepped in to bridge the gap. We fundraised and placed AEDs in the remaining state-licensed childcare centers throughout the city of La Crosse.

    This achievement makes La Crosse, Wisconsin the first city in America where every state-licensed childcare center is equipped with an AED, improving safety and peace of mind for families and caregivers alike.

    Bubba’s Fund partnered with 7 Rivers Cardiac Arrest Preparedness Education, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps communities become safer through access to lifesaving equipment and CPR/AED training. Together we ensured each center not only has an AED on site

  • Bubba’s Law (SB 437)

    • proposed legislation (Wi): support, not a mandate

    • state covers 2/3 of aed cost

    • center covers 1/3

    • includes support for pads/batteries

    • proposed funding: $1M/YEAR for 2 years

    Purpose: The reality is the staff are trained, time to equip them.

    Current Status of SB 437

    • SB 437 - Passed senate committee unanimously (5-0 vote)

    • huge step with hopes of a vote on the senate floor

    A long way to go, but hopeful it makes it to through the wisconsin legislature and signed into law by the governor.

  • Rising Athletes Organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that expands youth access to sports across the greater La Crosse area. They provide scholarships for camps, grants for essential equipment, and coordinate access to required health examinations for young athletes, along with other support services as needed. Their steady commitment to improving opportunities and well-being for local children makes them a valuable force in our community and an ideal partner for Bubba’s Fund to support.

We are an initiative-based organization, united in our hope of improving the lives of children. Our efforts are focused on the community in and around La Crosse, Wisconsin, while our reach continues to expand. Here are some of the initiatives Bubba’s Fund is pursuing.

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