DPHS student athlete Andrew Cartier looks forward to serving his country and competing in track and field for the Midshipmen.

It was the culmination of the annual Dickinson Cares project that benefits groups in need while showing how kids can make a difference in their community. The program begins with two weeks of collecting donations from families, then the finale is a “build day” where each grade level makes something to give to their charity. 

“It’s not only important for the charities, but we talk with the kids about how did it make you feel to do something for someone else,” said kindergarten teacher Chris Moore, who started the project about 10 years ago. “It’s that idea of doing something without getting anything back, and that service learning feels good, too.”

Each charity provides a “wish list” which is shared with Dickinson families for the donation drive portion of the project. For example, the first graders brought in personal hygiene items for the St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter in Green Bay. Other grade levels collected donations for the Exceptional Equestrians equine therapy program; Foster the Village which supports foster children; and Heaven’s Touch Ministries for women and children. 

The kindergarteners’ families contributed canned and boxed foods for the De Pere Christian Outreach pantry. Altogether, the four classrooms filled about eight boxes with food. 

“They are so excited to put their items in the donation box and to show their friends and teachers what they have brought,” kindergarten teacher Mari Mlynczak said. “We are very lucky in De Pere. When we ask for something or say we need help with donations, the community never disappoints.”

On the build day, each kindergarten student decorated and wrote positive messages on grocery bags that were given to the pantry along with the food. They received a visit from Amy Murphy, DPCO executive director, who shared that the pantry has seen a 20 percent increase in clients over the past year. 

“It truly takes an entire community to help our food pantry to be able to help our neighbors in need,” Murphy said. “The personalized bags the kids color and decorate make it a very special touch.”

Third-grade families sent in baby diapers and wipes, shoes and clothing for Foster the Village. On build day, the students used fabric markers and sharpies to decorate canvas bags to be used while shopping at the charity’s store. 

All Dickinson students received a sticker to wear that said, “Ask Me How I Made a Difference”. 

“(Students) said things like, ‘I helped a child in foster care by giving clothes and diapers to help make their life easier,’ ” teacher Allison Schlader said.

Other activities on build day included the first graders designing placemats for the St. John homeless shelter. Exceptional Equestrians received no-bake horse treats and stimulation toys from the second graders. And the fourth grade students made tie blankets for Heaven’s Touch. 

To help with that project, Moore used monetary donations to purchase fleece from a local fabric store where she attracted some curious inquiries. 

“When you have (so many) bolts of fabric in your cart, folks will ask what you are making,” she said. “To be able to explain to others out in public about the project has been really neat. I’ve always gotten a very positive (reaction).”

Dickinson Cares ties in with the school’s social studies curriculum as each grade level reads a book about the concepts of caring and serving populations in need. Students also watch a video that introduces their grade’s charitable organization and how it will benefit.

“It’s so valuable for elementary students to see that their hard work and giving attitude pays off,” Schlader said. “This year (third graders) partnered up with our ‘Bird Buddies’ who are first graders, and shared with them what we did and what they did. Then we had an all-school assembly and got to see what the other grades made.”

By Kerry Guyette, Contributing Writer
 

Source: District News

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Published: September 11, 2025