A turning point for Gary Acker came after he moved to Waunakee on the eve of the Fourth of July weekend. At work the very next day, many of his co-workers suddenly left. Acker was told, “They went to 614 Fourth Street. A lightning strike.” He replied, “I live there.” He raced home to find a couple of dozen firefighters – some his co-workers – in the house and damage limited to some cracked trusses. When firemen found the front door unlocked, they hadn’t even had to break in. He recalled thinking, “I owe the community something.”