About Like a Prayer Foundation
Mission Statement
Like a Prayer Foundation was created to assist those diagnosed with a terminal illness in achieving the goals and aspirations left on their bucket lists.
Vision
Like a Prayer Foundation strives to provide support, financially and otherwise, to terminally ill individuals and their loved ones. The foundation will focus its aid in helping the unfortunate fulfill any desired experiences and accomplishments they may have with their limited time. We do this to hopefully offer respite from the trials and tribulations, trauma and heartache of coping with a terminal illness.
“Like a Prayer Foundation offered me a chance to be a woman living with a disease instead of dying from one”
Our History
Like a Prayer Foundation was created in memory of Sean Michael Rankin, an extraordinary person who impacted many people with his life and his spirit. He passed away on May 20, 2005, from Mesothelioma at the age of 28. Sean was a kind, gentle, generous and sincere person. He was a non-judgmental soul who treated everyone he would meet with love and respect. We lost Sean far too early and just two years after his own mother succumbed to cancer. It was a very tragic time for family and friends.
Every year since his passing, his friends come together around the time of his birthday to keep his memory alive with a bonfire (one of Sean’s favorite things to do), music and a cookout. This annual event has come to be known as “Sean’s Bang”. During the 2014 Sean’s Bang, we decided we needed to do something bigger. Creating a fundraising concert was something that just seemed natural, which then led to the creation of this foundation. The name was chosen because of Sean’s love of music- especially Madonna and ‘Like a Prayer’ was one of his favorite songs. The purpose of our foundation was inspired by a wonderful gift that was given to Sean before his passing.
An anonymous individual donated an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas to Sean, girlfriend Amy, brother Todd & friend Tim. Sean had never been to Las Vegas, had always wanted to go and ended up having the time of his life. We will always be thankful to the anonymous donor who gave us the opportunity to create amazing final memories with Sean. We know what that trip meant to Sean and to the rest of us, which is why we are here. We want to help give someone who is going through a similar situation unforgettable experiences with their loved ones because we know how important that time is. It’s something that you will hold on to forever.
-Amy Folletz, Founder
Board of Directors
Amber DeVoe - President
Amber was born and raised in Oshkosh, and this is her first non-profit board to serve on. She’s a 2-time breast cancer survivor, which makes LAPF a cause near and dear to her heart. Amber has worked in sales at 4imprint for the past 11 years. She is also an animal lover, a reader, a true crime addict and a loving aunt to her 2 nephews. Amber chairs our Lip Sync or Swim committee, and is excited to see what the future of Like a Prayer Foundation holds.
Amy Folletz - Founder
Amy was born in Appleton and lived in various cities in Wisconsin throughout her life, but has settled in Oshkosh for the last 15 years. She is married to her husband of 4 years and has 3 children. Amy works for Community First Credit Union as an Insurance Agent for 12 years. She is also in the Ladies Tap Class at Richard’s School of the Dance and has been a student there for over 30 years. Amy chairs the Recipient Search committee for the foundation.
“I started Like A Prayer Foundation to pay forward the gift we were given when Sean was sick. It meant so much to us to have that time together and not have to worry about doctor’s appointments, chemo, and the physical ailments that come along with the side-effects of treatment. I always enjoyed helping others and this is my way of doing that. I’m excited to see this foundation grow and what the future holds for us.”
Nick Paulick - Treasurer
I was born in Oshkosh and have lived here most of my life. I have a great family and maybe too many pets. I was in Sean Rankin’s class at OWHS and I’ve played with most of the members of Sean’s Band on and off since 2000. I’ve been involved with Boy Scouts of America in various capacities since 2010 and am currently heavily involved in multiple Scouting units in our area and I am also a volunteer at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Oshkosh.