As 2019 draws to a close, we here at the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools have much to be grateful for. We are able to do so much for our public schools and scholars throughout the year – because of generous partners and a giving community. So, we counted the ways. #Impact19 is a series of 19 stories revealed over 19 days, highlighting how YOU help give back to schools.
Day 1 – Generous Treats
We thank Orchard Ridge Elementary School Adopt-a-School Partner, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church! This Halloween they hosted 250 scholars for a frightfully fun Trunk-or- Treat.
Day 2 – Sharing Good Fortune
For every one of the items collected by the Lindbergh Elementary School community for the Goodman Community Center Thanksgiving meals, an anonymous donor will contribute $1 that will be deducted from the Lindbergh student lost library fees. Goodman’s programs support so many of our MMSD students and families through Thanksgiving meals – and all year round.
Day 3 – Happy Thanksgiving
From the Foundation’s team to yours: Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for the 27,000 Scholars in our 50 public schools. They are the reason our staff and Board of Directors work tirelessly to support Madison’s public schools!
Day 4 – Thanksgiving Partners
Kennedy Elementary School Adopt-a-School partner Messiah Lutheran Church provided Thanksgiving “treat bags” to be given to families in need. Each bag contained fall candies and a $50 Woodman’s gift card families could use to purchase the food they’d like for Thanksgiving.
Days 5 & 6 (Weekend 1)
We acknowledge generosity of businesses and faith communities across Madison to create deep engagements with and offer critical resources to our public schools. #SchoolsMakeMadison
Day 7 – Inspiring More Giving
We honor West High Adopt-a-School partners Geneva Campus Church and BMO Harris Bank joining forces to provide West High with 27 complete Thanksgiving meals, distributed to families in need, complete with pumpkin pies! West High students mobilized some giving of their own this Thanksgiving as well!
Day 8 (Giving Tuesday)
In 2019 Madison lost a friend and champion, former mayor, Joel Skornicka. Joel saw a need in our public schools and helped the Foundation launch an elementary school playground fund. His long-term vision and planned gift ensures this fund will continue to benefit future generations.
Day 9 – Lancers Give Back
Celebrates La Follette Alumni giving back, through their Board of Visitors! Visit our Alumni Page to learn more about this Board and ways you can show your MMSD alumni spirit!
Day 10 – A Future Ready MMSD
A Future Ready MMSD – Two potential referenda questions could go before the community to vote on in 2020. We support plans to make every school a place where every scholar can thrive! Check out our Referendum Resource page for the latest referendum news
Day 11 – Gratitude Dinner
In this season of giving thanks, Jefferson Middle School Adopt-a-School partners joined forces to support Gratitude Dinner at the Lussier Community Education Center just before Thanksgiving. Madison Church and Madison West Towne Middleton Rotary Club, joined together, helping to set-up, serve food, and clean-up.
Day 12 – Growing an Alumni Network
Modeled after the success of La Follette High School’s Board of Visitors, we are mobilizing alumni from Madison’s other high schools in forming their own boards to help raise money, mentor students and ensure a school community where every scholar can thrive.
Day 13 – Signs of our Love for Schools
We salute Adams Outdoor Advertising for their recognition as an Outstanding Small Business by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Madison. Adams’ Collaborate program helped us broadcast our love of Madison’s public schools far and wide!
Day 14 – Community Schools
We honor Madison’s Community Schools! Many organizations, including the Madison Community Foundation, support our work with Community Schools. Together, we help Mendota, Leopold, Hawthorne and Lake View Elementary to better serve the needs of their families and scholars.
Day 15 – Community Luncheons
Newly-linked Adopt-a-School partners, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin have provides Allis Elementary with all kinds of meaningful support! Group Health’s Chief Nursing Officer, Kristin Lueschow, helped serve the holiday luncheon at Allis recently, along with Principal Sara Cutler and Eileen Bradley, all pictured at right.
Day 16 – Champions for Public Schools
We thank our Schools Make Madison Champions! These donors have pledged over $330,000 and counting in multi-year commitments to support the Foundation’s work. These gifts allow us to offer sustained, meaningful services for our public schools.
Day 17 – Holiday Shopping Made Easy
Door Creek Church – Adopt-a-School partner to Mendota Elementary – hosted their holiday stores recently. Families are able to shop and make purchases at deeply discounted rates, yielding a sense of empowerment and making a generous holiday possible. The stores benefits over 100 families!
Day 18 – Making Wishes Real
Adopt-a-School partner Brad Bodden insurance agency ‘adopts’ a Thoreau Elementary family for the holidays each year, purchasing and wrapping all the gifts on the family’s wish list. The giving is contagious – this year they also inspired anther agency to also ‘adopt’ a Thoreau family!
Day 19 – Thank YOU!
Who truly makes our positive impact on Madison’s public schools possible? It’s YOU! Thank you to our donors, Adopt-a-School partners, volunteers and Schools Make Madison Champions. And thank you to the scholars, staff and families in our public schools.
Without you, we could not pursue our vision to make each of our 50 public schools a place where every scholar THRIVES. Thank you and have a happy, peaceful holiday season!
