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"WISN-TV and the Salvation Army successfully raised more than $50,000 during a phone bank last week. The money will buy school supplies for Milwaukee Public School (MPS) students who can't afford these basic necessities.Pledges from the \"Class Act\" phone banks on Aug. 12 and 13 make it possible for at least three MPS schools to get needed supplies. The schools selected to receive the supplies are Hi-Mount Community School, Auer Avenue School, and Lancaster School.\u201CThis project was heartwarming and inspiring. The incredible generosity of WISN 12 viewers exceeded our expectations,\" says Jan Wade, president and general manager of WISN-TV. \u201CDonations came in from every corner of our viewing area, demonstrating once again what a generous community we serve. WISN 12 viewers and the Salvation Army know the importance of education and getting off to a good start. We are more than grateful to all of our donors who took the time to give and help fill this very important need.\u201DThe Salvation Army initially set a goal of raising $25,000. In addition to appeals made by WISN 12 news personalities, interviews with Green Bay Packer Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler and former Green Bay Packer Line Backer George Koonce helped energize viewers throughout the two-day phone drive.\"We are grateful to the viewers of WISN 12 and the entire WISN 12 family for helping make our Back to School Collection Drive so successful. This generosity will help hundreds of Milwaukee Public School children begin the school year with confidence and have the supplies they need to do well in school,\" says Major Roger Ross, Salvation Army Milwaukee County Commander.MPS Principals from the selected schools have also been overwhelmed by the community's generosity. They got involved in the Back to School Collection Drive when Superintendent Gregory Thornton challenged MPS administrators to open their hearts \u2013 and wallets \u2013 to join the Salvation Army / WISN 12 effort. In just three days, principals and administrators donated $4,675 to add to the $50,000-plus already raised by the Milwaukee community.\"I truly appreciate the generosity of the Salvation Army, the Channel 12 viewers and our entire Milwaukee community for supporting the students of Hi-Mount Community School,\" says Toni Dinkins. \"The gift of a book bag stuffed with school supplies will definitely allow our students to return to school prepared with tools for success. With over 95 percent our student population qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, these donations will ensure that our students have the supplies they need to learn, grow, and achieve. More importantly, this tremendous act of kindness will also ensure that our students feel loved and supported by many.\"Phyllis Smith at Lancaster School adds, \u201CThank you! We really appreciate the viewers\u2019 generosity, which made it possible to support even more students than originally planned. Lancaster students will be off to a great start because they will have the supplies they need. It\u2019s a great investment in our future!\u201D\"We are so appreciative of the Salvation Army, WISN 12 and the generosity of all of those who gave,\" says Felice Beal, principal at Auer Avenue School. \"This will be a tremendous support for our families and our school as a whole so students can focus on what\u2019s important -- learning -- and not focus on what they don\u2019t have. Auer Avenue thanks you tremendously!\"The Salvation has set up a page for volunteers to sign up and help sort school supplies and stuff book bags at www.SAmilwaukee.org. The school supply distribution date is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 20.Individuals who were unable to give during the phone banks can still help MPS schools. The Salvation Army Back to School Donation Drive continues at various Salvation Army drop zones through Friday Aug. 30.WISN 12, the ABC station in Milwaukee, is owned by Hearst Television Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hearst Corporation. Hearst owns 29 television stations and two radio stations in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The Company\u2019s television stations reach approximately 18 percent of U.S. TV households, making it one of America\u2019s largest television station groups. It also owns more than three dozen websites and multicasts more than two dozen digital channels providing news, weather and entertainment programming. The Company\u2019s Web address is www.hearsttelevision.com. WISN 12\u2019s Web address is www.wisn.com."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.wisn.com/article/wisn-12-class-act-phone-banks-raise-over-50-000-for-school-supplies/6317014>