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July 30, 2020

2020 Virtual Campaign Raises $225,000

JULY 30, 2020 — Dairy Cares of Wisconsin’s first-ever “virtual fundraiser”  raised $225,000 for Children’s Wisconsin.

For nine years, our signature event was a summer Garden Party that raised funds on behalf of the statewide health system (formerly Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin). However, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing protocols, the campaign shifted exclusively to multi-media platforms this year.

“We knew we wanted to do something special for our 10th anniversary, but we never imagined it would be a campaign built largely on cell phone texting,” said Jim Ostrom, Dairy Cares co-founder and a member of the Children’s Wisconsin Foundation Board. “In the midst of a COVID-fueled economic downturn, the generosity of the dairy and agriculture-related industries — and a lot of big-hearted individuals who just wanted to do something positive during turbulent times — is truly inspiring.”

With the $225,00 brought in by July 25, Dairy Cares’ lifetime total raised on behalf of Children’s Wisconsin now surpasses $1.5 million.

All proceeds will directly benefit the health system, which is headquartered in Milwaukee and offers 40 different care locations through the state.

“On behalf of the Children’s Wisconsin family, I wanted to express our gratitude to Dairy Cares of Wisconsin and their incredible community of supporters,” said Christine Baranoucky, Children’s Wisconsin Foundation vice president of engagement & stewardship. “Even though we couldn’t be together in person this year, you didn’t let that stop you from making a difference and raising critical funds for the kids of Wisconsin.”

In 2018, Children’s Wisconsin christened the new, state-of-the art “Dairy Cares of Wisconsin Simulation Lab,” which gives medical professionals a safe venue to learn and sharpen their skills.