Fourth graders donate to local hospital and EMS

The Fort HealthCare Great Expectations Birthing Center and Emergency Medical Services departments, as well as the local EMS are grateful recipients of donated blankets, stuffed animals and books from four Luther Elementary School third graders in their “Awesome Care for Kids” campaign. The boys participated in the annual Fort Atkinson Optimist Club Mini-Grant program of the Fort Atkinson School District. The mini-grant program provides children with an opportunity to give back to their community, and introduces them to community service and helping other children.

OB and Emergency Department manager, Deb Schumacher, RN, said, “We are always so grateful to be able to provide these comforts to the children who come through our doors. In addition to children who are patients, sibling of new babies will feel extra special when they receive a special present from the hospital.”

The boys came up with the idea of donating items that would provide comfort and care for other children in town, because at one point in time, each of them had received a warm blanket or small gift when being cared for, and it made them feel better. The mini-grant was awarded to them in March, and they completed their campaign with the final donation in May.

To raise additional funds to afford their entire donation, they secured the concession stand from the Fort Atkinson Generals baseball team at Jones Park for the Fort Atkinson Parks & Recreation Department’s annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 16. All proceeds from their concession sales went to support their campaign. They sold donated food items, and hosted a bake sale that day. Many area businesses helped support them as well – by donating items to give away, or supplies for their bake sale goods. The boys and their families made a “Thank You” poster to show their appreciation for the businesses that supported them, and shared it with Fort HealthCare when presenting the donation.

Pictured (left to right) are: Chaston Schiewe; Nancy Alstad, Director of Human Resources, Fort HealthCare; Ben Incha; Nolan Volquardsen; and Tim Hoffman.