'Adopt a Senior' Program Delivers Sweet Surprises For Valentine's Day
Chippewa Falls' Josef’s Cheesecake and Our House Senior Assisted Living delivered over 1,000 cupcakes to area seniors in 2025 – and hope to see that number grow this year
Pam Anderson, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
Walk into Josef’s Cheesecake (343 E Park Ave., Chippewa Falls) and all of your senses will surely thank you. What truly sets the bakery apart – beyond the delicious desserts and scrumptious scents – is the owner’s generous spirit, reflected in its community fundraising initiatives.
Each year around Valentine's Day, Josef's Cheesecake partners with Our House Senior Assisted Living – a memory care facility in the region – for its "Adopt a Senior" program. Patrons interested in "adopting" a senior (or several) can head on over to Josef’s and pay $5 per cheesecake cupcake they’d like to donate.
Then, assisted living staff ensure these sweet tokens are delivered to as many senior residents as possible in the Chippewa Valley.
Six years ago, Nick Wiener – who has owned and operated Josef’s for nine years – was approached by the Chippewa Falls branch of Our House Senior Assisted Living, and the Adopt a Senior event was born.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the community endeavor ensured “seniors were not forgotten on Valentine’s Day, especially since visitors were so limited at senior facilities at that time,” Wiener said.
Over the years, Wiener has continued to champion the Adopt a Senior program because family and senior care are both core values in his everyday life.
Wiener, a certified master chef who worked in restaurants across the country, returned to the Chippewa Valley years ago when his dad got sick and his mom needed help caring for him.
Through working in the Valley’s area restaurants, Wiener began to craft cheesecake cupcakes for the restaurant’s desserts. These sweet beginnings were ultimately the catalyst for him to open the cheesecake cupcake bakery, and he’s never looked back.
From its inception, the Adopt a Senior programming has continued to grow; last year 1,064 cheesecake cupcakes were delivered to 21 Chippewa Valley assisted living facilities. This year the goal is to get 2,000 cupcakes into the hands – and mouths! – of seniors.
This year, Adopt a Senior deliveries will take place on Feb. 13 and 14; it's encouraged to place orders in advance. Those interested in donating to Adopt a Senior can also call in an order (715-861-3129) or visit the donation page online, to order via PayPal.
Wondering about favorite flavors? Wiener makes up to 2,000 cheesecake cupcakes a day at Josef's and he definitely keeps it interesting.
“I’ve created over 500 flavors and each day’s production is varied,” Wiener said.
Some favorites for the annual Valentine’s Day project are Chocolate Peanut Butter, Turtle, Lemon Raspberry and Door County Cherry.
Wiener remains proud of his connection to this project, but his commitment to community doesn’t end with Adopt a Senior. Throughout the year, Josef’s supports other community programs by providing his popular cheesecake cupcakes; all the while, remaining committed to share his dad’s legacy through the local eat scene.
The bakery, after all, is named after Wiener’s father – its logo even borrowed from his father’s former restaurant sign.
“I wanted to assure my mom that my dad’s name wouldn’t be forgotten after he passed,” Wiener said.
Working together at Josef’s seals that promise.
Looking for a great way to complete a good deed for the day? Stop into Josef’s Cheesecake in Chippewa Falls to donate to the Adopt a Senior event—and maybe even pick up a little sweet treat for yourself, too. Your tastebuds will thank you!
Josef's Cheesecake is located at 343 E Park Ave., Chippewa Falls • Keep up with the local bakery on social media for near daily updates • Can't make it in person to take part in the Adopt a Senior program? PayPal donations can be made here
