A family hobby for an Aspirus employee in Wisconsin Rapids became a community project that reached a young cancer patient in Kansas.
Ultrasound technologist Amy Ortner, who paints and hides rocks through the local Rockin' in Rapids Facebook group, brought an idea she had seen online to work and started a painted rock snake called Vicky Viper, built from individual rocks painted by employees and visitors.
By the end of the project, Vicky Viper had grown to 403 rocks, with designs, artwork and encouraging messages contributed by staff across the organization.
Ortner sent 105 of the rocks, weighing about 33 pounds, to 6-year-old Maddie in Kansas for her family's painted rock garden during her cancer journey. The remaining rocks were hidden around Wisconsin Rapids near schools, daycare centers, grocery stores, the post office and other community spots for residents to find.
Imaging Services manager Kelly Kremer credited Ortner's dedication and compassion for the project's success. The project had nearly ended after its first year as rocks kept disappearing, but encouragement from the ultrasound department helped Ortner try again and turn it into a growing tradition.
