GREEN BAY, Wis.June 12, 2017 — The American Cancer Society and Colton’s Cure Foundation are excited to announce that the first-ever Wagon Warriors campaign, presented by Associated Bank, exceeded its fundraising goal. More than $11,000 was raised to support the Society’s cancer research program. Additionally, hundreds of items from the Colton’s Cure Foundation wish list were collected at local Associated Bank locations to help families in Wisconsin that are battling pediatric cancer.

 

“It’s simply overwhelming how the schools and the community embraced our inaugural Wagon Warriors campaign,” said Laurie Bertrand, executive director in Wisconsin for the American Cancer Society. “The dollars raised by the participating schools will help make a difference in finding cancer’s causes and cures, and the items donated to Colton’s Cure will help families in Wisconsin at a time when they need it most.”

 

This spring, 11 area schools each volunteered to decorate a classic symbol of American childhood – a red wagon. The schools then joined in a month-long fundraising competition to collect the most donations. Parents, school supporters, and community members were encouraged to “vote” for their favorite “tricked-out” wagon by making an online donation. Hillcrest Elementary School in Hobart collected the most donations ($3,200) and received a $2,500 grant courtesy of Associated Bank.

 

Pictures of the wagons are posted online at crowdrise.com/WagonWarriors. All the wagons will be delivered to local hospitals this fall.

 

“The Wagon Warriors project was a great opportunity to get Hillcrest Elementary students involved with helping others in the community. They were excited about decorating the wagon to support Colton’s Cure and collecting money for the American Cancer Society,” said Kristin Wells, principal at Hillcrest Elementary. “We’re grateful to Associated Bank for their generosity – we plan to use the winnings to enhance our school playground.”

 

The inspiration for the Wagon Warriors campaign came from Tara Steinhorst, founder of the Colton’s Cure Foundation which was created in memory of her son who was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma at 2 ½ years old. Steinhorst’s idea to provide wagons instead of wheelchairs to hospitals lets kids feel like kids during their cancer treatment.

 

“We’re very excited to be involved with Wagon Warriors,” said Jeff Schofield, senior vice president with Associated Bank and an American Cancer Society volunteer. “It’s been great to see the communities rally behind their school and the wagons they built to help support cancer research. We’re all hoping to someday see a world without cancer.”

 

The 11 schools that participated in this year’s Wagon Warriors campaign included:

  • Cormier School, Ashwaubenon
  • Helen Keller Elementary, Green Bay
  • Hemlock Creek Elementary, De Pere
  • Hillcrest Elementary, Hobart
  • Howe Elementary, Green Bay      
  • Janet Berry Elementary, Appleton
  • Pioneer Elementary School, Ashwaubenon
  • St. John’s Lutheran School, Appleton
  • Taft Elementary School, Neenah
  • Washington Jr. High School, Manitowoc
  • Westside Elementary School, Kimberly
  • Wilson Elementary School, Sheboygan

 

Several area schools have already agreed to participate in the 2018 Wagon Warriors campaign.

 

For more information, contact Kristen Herbes, senior community manager for the American Cancer Society, at 920-321-1366 or kristen.herbes@cancer.org.

 

About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2 million volunteers saving lives in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 25 percent decline in the cancer death rate in the U.S. since 1991, driven by less smoking, better treatments, and earlier detection. We’re finding cures as the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

 

About Colton’s Cure Foundation

Started in 2012, Colton’s Cure Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides financial aid and support to families in the state of Wisconsin. Colton’s Cure accomplishes this by working through pediatric cancer centers in the state to provide financial grants, as well as delivering care packages and supplies to those undergoing treatment. To find out how you can help, or to learn more about what we do, visit our website at coltonscure.org.
 

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