By Marisa Dawson, Photos by Megan Detjens
The Bennington community came together in a powerful display of support for local resident Heather Goertz, who suffered a hemorrhagic stroke on September 24, 2025. A heartfelt fundraiser titled “Workout & Worship” (also known as “HIIT for Heather”) took place on Saturday, January 24 at Bennington South Middle School, drawing a packed crowd despite the freezing winter weather.
The event, organized by a dedicated group of Heather’s friends, family, and community members, was thoughtfully designed to reflect the things Heather holds most dear: fellowship, fitness, faith, and health. It featured worship music, a family recovery update, a 10 a.m. all-bodies HIIT workout, a smoothie bar with protein bites emphasizing Heather’s lifelong passion for wellness, kids’ activities, prayer and get-well card stations, a silent auction, live auction, and raffles. “HealThy Heather” t-shirts were also available for pickup.
Heather, known to many in Bennington as an inspiring figure, prioritized exercise, mind-body care, heart health, drug education efforts, foster/adoption advocacy, and deep community involvement. She organized a longstanding workout group at St. John’s Lutheran and was described by friends as passionate, one-of-a-kind, someone who “leaves a mark” and shows God’s love through caring deeply for others.
Ingrid Geiseman, who has known Heather for over 15 years, shared that Heather helped her understand “the importance of exercise and taking care of your mind and your body.” She called the event a “grassroots campaign” where people from Heather’s circle stepped up with leadership, donations, and attendance. “I got very few no’s on the people that I had reached out to throughout the community that knew Heather,” Geiseman noted, highlighting support from the school board, the youth football league, and more. Despite the winter weather leading up to the event, Bennington showed up to fill the gym and they were able to raise beyond their initial goal for the family. Geiseman emphasized, “Community is what Heather Goertz is like. She is community. She has influenced so many people in the community in different ways… Not just faith, but also with giving up her time and efforts. She’s just very passionate.”
Krynn Pekny, connected to Heather through the workout group Heather organized at St. John’s, recalled Heather’s passion for health and heart health. When Heather’s daughter Tayler asked the group to help with the fundraiser, “everybody quickly signed up to say yes.” Pekny described Heather as “an expert in building community,” adding, “Heather would do the same for us… She’s showed up for me many times. Her individual care for others and how she shows God’s love is caring for others very deeply.” She stressed the importance of showing up: “Whether your impact feels small or big, keep showing up. More important is the community showed up and gave hugs and smiles, checked in and made cards.” Volunteers took photos and videos for a memory book to share with Heather, and Pekny visited her the day before the event to ensure she felt the love.
Heather Roth Miller, who co-organized the workout portion, said the event was “the epitome of our amazing Bennington community.” She was honored when Tayler asked her to help, crediting Heather with getting her back into her fitness routine through their church. “It’s been so rewarding to continue our healthy Heather relationship over the years. She has taught me so much!” Miller added that she lives in Bennington because of this kind of support: “None of us could have imagined that our dear friend Heather would be going through this but I love that the entire Goertz family is wrapped in care and support from our community.”
Tayler Wickham, Heather’s daughter, provided an emotional family perspective at the event, sharing that her mother’s recovery is “truly miraculous.” Heather is relearning to walk, eat, and talk, with progress detailed in CaringBridge updates. While the family feels “stuck in September” amid the whirlwind, they are buoyed by the village surrounding them. Tayler was “speechless at the pure goodness that filled the building,” with people from all parts of Heather’s life attending (some known, some not) four months after the stroke. “People showed up from all walks in our mom’s life. All have been positively impacted by her in some way.” The highlight for her was “seeing it all come to fruition,” as the planning committee embodied “all the things my mom loved most: fellowship, exercise, worship music… and so much more.” It made the community’s love and support easy to see. Funds will primarily cover private-pay home care (not covered by insurance) when Heather returns home, easing family caregiving burdens, with any leftovers supporting local nonprofits.
Heather was aware of the event through family visits, even wearing her event shirt, and updates were shared with her. Her family and the event organizers ensured she felt the love.
The event highlighted Bennington’s longstanding tradition of rallying during crises (tornadoes, floods, storms, etc.) and its ability to pull together financially and emotionally. As Geiseman noted, “Together we all accomplish more,” especially meaningful in challenging times. Pekny echoed that it brings out the best in people and is fulfilling to witness repeatedly: “It’s powerful when everybody’s there. It just brings out the best in everyone, even in hard times.”
This outpouring reflects why Bennington residents cherish their town: a place where neighbors show up, big and small, because “Heather would be first in line.” The family remains deeply grateful for feeling “loved, seen, and supported.”
