Green Bay Reporter

Several Wisconsin middle school student groups have been awarded Character Playbook Community Impact Grants by the Green Bay Packers. These grants offer students an opportunity to contribute positively to their communities through various service projects.

Student groups, guided by a Wisconsin school or nonprofit organization, were invited to propose service projects aimed at benefiting their schools, neighborhoods, or communities. From the submitted proposals, ten project ideas were selected for grants.

The chosen groups will receive up to $500 each from the NFL Volunteerism Grant to implement their projects. Among these are:

- Hi-Mount Community School in Milwaukee plans to create a community garden as a gathering space for people of all backgrounds.

- Kiel Middle School students will construct a fundraising stand for use in raising money and collecting donations for different causes.

- The Youth Impact Club at Badger Middle School intends to address mental health and foster belonging by creating "lift kits" containing encouraging cards, stickers, positive affirmations, and snacks.

- Poynette Middle School's HOPE Squad will host "HOPE Night," an event focused on suicide awareness and prevention with activities for students and families.

- Seymour Middle School eighth graders aim to perform small acts of kindness by visiting local elementary schools and retirement homes, playing bingo, and delivering cards and crafts.

- Harborside Academy's Pollinator People group in Kenosha will plant a pollinator patch at Simmons Island Beach to improve water quality by replacing invasive plants with native species.

- Gaenslen School students in Milwaukee plan a food drive and meal kit assembly event addressing food insecurity.

- St. Clare Catholic School in Wrightstown will assemble "love baskets" for students with disabilities to promote inclusivity.

- Mineral Point Middle School students will organize a districtwide generosity day pairing younger students with older ones to create community gift bags while hosting various generosity activities including a food drive.

- Waterloo Intermediate/Middle School will engage in 20 competitions called the "Pirate Games" promoting community inclusion alongside teamwork and sportsmanship skills development.

Each group has a project supervisor who assists in guiding the students' efforts while serving as communication liaisons with the Packers. The completion of these projects is expected by the end of the school year.