Packers award middle school students with Character Playbook Grants

Several Wisconsin middle school student groups will have a unique opportunity to make their mark on their communities after being awarded with Character Playbook Community Impact Grants from the Green Bay Packers and Brown County United Way.

Student groups, under the guidance of a Wisconsin school or nonprofit organization, were invited this fall to develop a service project to help their school, neighborhood or surrounding community. After the project proposals were submitted and reviewed, 13 group project ideas were selected to receive a grant.

Groups selected will receive grant awards up to $500 through funds from the NFL Volunteerism Grant or Brown County United Way to help fund implementation of the project. The projects receiving support include:

·        Sixth grade students from North Shore Middle School in Hartland will design and create 3D printed therapy tools and toys for students with special needs in the district.

·        To educate about and encourage healthy eating choices, Greenfield Middle School students will make smoothie bowls and salads to sell to teachers and staff to raise money for two local charities.

·        Working with a local food pantry in Milwaukee County, an additional group of Greenfield Middle School students will put together hygiene bags for those in need.

·        The Kindness Committee at Chilton Middle School will continue to spread kindness throughout their school and community by hosting small activities, such as a Cutest Pet Contest, Halloween Costume Contest, Valentine and Candy Cane Delivery Service and more to raise funds for community organizations. This year, they plan to raise money to purchase gift baskets for elderly community members who live in local nursing homes.

·        The Chippewa Falls Middle School physical education program will build a Ga Ga pit to add to their curriculum and encourage active lifestyle choices. The space will also be available for the community to use and enjoy.

·        Jerstad-Agerholm K-8 in Racine will start the Jerstad Community Garden by teaching students how to grow vegetables and fruits. They will start with seeds in January and later transfer them to an outdoor garden, learning about the life cycle of plants during the process. Students plan to supply the produce to others at school or local food banks who have limited access to nutritious food.

·        To ensure that students feel belonging and…