ThedaCare employees in New London have collected over 700 school supply items and raised more than $600 for local students as part of the New London Rotary Club’s “Pack it Up for Kids” campaign.
The campaign, which began July 15 and continues through Aug. 5, is collecting a variety of school supplies to help ease the financial burden for families, as students prepare to head back to school. In New London, 43 percent of its K-8 students are eligible for free or reduced cost lunch, for a total of about 780 students.
Employees from New London Family Medical Center and ThedaCare Physicians-New London have chipped in by donating school supplies and money for the campaign. Employees have set up a dozen collection boxes throughout the hospital and clinic. The public is also invited to make donations at boxes located in the lobbies of both facilities.
“We greatly appreciate all the supplies and donations that Rotary and ThedaCare have brought in,” said Bill Fitzpatrick, superintendent of the New London School District. “This effort will ensure that every student has the necessary supplies to be successful in the classroom. Partnerships like this inspire hope that we can ensure quality education for the young people of our community.”
To bolster employees’ donations, ThedaCare is contributing matching funds up to $500. In addition, Rotary is matching every dollar contributed up to $5,000. Also, employees organized a root beer float sale to raise funds to support the project.
“We are excited to tackle a project like this,” said Bill Schmidt, president and CEO of New London Family Medical Center. “We know that education is the key to these kids’ futures.”
Donations are also being accepted at Check Advance, Citizen’s Bank, First State Bank, Fox Communities Credit Union, Jernegan’s HealthMart, Piggly Wiggly, and St. Joseph Residence. Cash donations will be accepted at Citizen’s Bank, PO Box 5, New London, WI 54961.