This retired woman from West Allis makes bracelets for a good cause

After working as an esthetician for 44 years, West Allis resident Linda Minckler recently opened an online bracelet business to support causes close to her heart.

Minckler’s reason for starting Jewelry-on purpose is because she believes that everyone can contribute to society, and this is her way.

“For me that is making jewelry. For others it may be something completely different. But we all have the power to support causes we care about, no matter where we are in life,” she said.

“I have a bleeding heart,” Minckler said. “When I hear about a case, I want to help.”

Minckler threads each bracelet by hand with a stretchy cord. She sticks a metal logo on it to indicate the cause. Each bracelet is designed with the specific purpose in mind.

The bracelets sell for $10 each through her website. Proceeds go directly to her chosen charities and to fund supplies for her business.

Last summer, Minckler sold bracelets at the Brookfield Farmers Market and at Food Truck Friday + Mini Makers Mart in West Allis. She said she is considering selling at more farmers markets and community events in the future.

Here are the five reasons Minckler chose to start her bracelet business.

Human trafficking with the Tim Tebow Foundation

When Minckler heard from her church about the Tim Tebow Foundation She immediately wanted to help work in the fight against human trafficking.

She said she was shocked when she read the foundation’s website and learned about the extent of human trafficking. From 2016 to 2021, according to the International Labor Organizationhuman trafficking increased by 10 million people. Moreover, 50 million people live in modern slavery.

“Human trafficking is so horrible,” she said.

The Tim Tebow Foundation brings “faith, hope and love to those in need” by working with those with serious medical needs, orphan care and prevention, and special needs care, according to its website. The foundation establishes support programs to keep families together, conducts physical rescue missions and assists with the long-term care and recovery of survivors.

Minckler said that because of the scale of human trafficking, she is donating 100% of the proceeds from the bracelets to charity. She donates 20% to the other charities she supports. So far, she said she has raised almost $500 for the Tim Tebow Foundation and will be sending a check soon.

Humane Animal Welfare Association of Waukesha County

Because Minckler adopted a rescue dog, Shadow, the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County better known as HAWS, is one of its top charities.

Shadow, now 12, was underweight, infested with fleas and missing seven teeth when Minckler adopted him. “He is the sweetest dog now,” she said.

“I have a soft spot for all animals,” Minckler said.

The Bee Protection

Minckler is also passionate about gardening and growing vegetables, so The Bee Protection is another important charity for her.

“We like to grow vegetables, and if all the bees disappeared, we would have nothing,” she said. She pointed out how 4,000 bee species are declining in North America, according to the Center for Biological Diversityas quoted on The Bee Conservancy’s website.

Minckler said she supports The Bee Conservancy because it provides community education about the value of bees and how community members can save bees, such as by planting bee-friendly plants.

The Autism Association of Greater Wisconsin

Because Minckler’s son, Dakota, was on the spectrum for autism, the Autism Association of Greater Wisconsin is another organization she supports.

Although her son is now 30, she said she wishes she had more information about autism available to help her son.

“Everyone with autism is different, and people need to know that,” she said.

Susan G. Komen

Minckler had several family members who died of breast cancer, so it’s clear why Susan G. Komen Nonprofit Organization is close to her heart.

Her mother, Donna Waarvik, and aunt, Judy Craft, both died of breast cancer. Her mother-in-law, Beverly Minckler, survived breast cancer before dying of lung cancer – unrelated to her breast cancer. But it was the loss of her sister, Diane Dutcher, who died in 1995 at the age of 41 with three children, that affected her deeply.

She noted that there have been many advances in breast cancer research since 1995, such as the development of all 19 breast cancer drugs approved by the FDA since 2012, according to Susan G. Komen’s website.

“It helps a little that I contribute a little to the research,” she said. “The world needs everyone to feel involved and informed about things. People don’t want to know the ugliness of the world, but once you know that, you can’t turn away from it.”

To order a bracelet

To order a bracelet or for more information, visit jewelry-onpurpose.com

Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or [email protected]. Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy.