LMCS students raise funds, go shopping for Toys for Tots

Heather Yeoman from Uptown Boutique and Uptown Fitness, along with LMCS first grade students, teacher Christine Budach, and elementary principal Connor Kem, presented a check to Kris Singlestad, owner of Singelstad Hardware, for the fundraiser for Toys For Tots (pictured). This year with COVID-19, fundraising had to be a little creative for the first grade students.  Last year, funds were raised by creating a popcorn wagon to donate popcorn to a class for a popcorn party.  To spread some holiday cheer around the school this year, plus help out a good cause, they decided to sell t-shirts.  Teacher, Christine Budach, contacted Heather Yeoman at Uptown Boutique and asked if she’d be willing to make the shirts and all proceeds would go to Toys for Tots on behalf of the Lake Mills Elementary School and Uptown Boutique.  A letter was drafted and sent home to parents and staff, and two weeks later, students sold 300 shirts and raised $840 for Toys for Tots. The students went shopping at the hardware store last Tuesday morning, Dec. 8. They then delivered the t-shirts to all the students at school (pictured) and will wear them as an elementary class Tutesday, Dec. 22, to show pride and spread a little cheer.

The Lake Mills community donated $5,000 to Toys for Tots and four LMCS fifth grade students volunteered to go shopping at Singelstad Hardware last Wednesday morning, Dec. 9. Leon Christianson brought his van and when he left, the van was full of toys for needy North Iowa families. Pictured above: Damian Villela, Chase Evans, Maya Loverink, and Alaina Throne had their arms full of toys as they headed to the cash register. The shelves needed restocking by the time the shoppers were finished spending the funds.