Dairy Cares of Wisconsin exceeds $1 million in cumulative giving to Children’s Wisconsin

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Simulation lab at Children’s Wisconsin to be named in group’s honor


On Saturday, July 28, Dairy Cares of Wisconsin announced it had surpassed $1 million in donations to Children’s Wisconsin. The total was reached after community sponsors and donors raised more than $200,000 at the eighth annual Dairy Cares Garden Party. 

To honor the support and commitment to Wisconsin children, Children’s Wisconsin will rename the simulation lab as the Dairy Cares of Wisconsin Simulation Laboratory. 

“Behind every program Children’s Wisconsin offers is the support of donors and volunteers like Jim and Annette Ostrom and Dairy Cares of Wisconsin. It is an honor to rename the simulation lab in honor of this amazing group,” said Meg Brzyski Nelson, president of the Children’s Wisconsin Foundation. The group’s donation to the simulation lab will provide tools for Children’s Wisconsin doctors and nurses to perfect the skills and teamwork needed to save the lives of kids at a moment’s notice. 

Jim and Annette Ostrom are two of the founding members of Dairy Cares. The group started in 2011 as a small group of Wisconsin dairy farm families who wanted to give something back. “Our focus was to bring friends together to improve the lives of kids,” said Jim Ostrom. “Looking back, it’s amazing to see how much has been accomplished. We are humbled to have the opportunity to support Children’s Wisconsin and help change the odds for kids and families facing tough challenges.” 

The group’s garden party event in De Pere welcomes more than 400 people into the Ostroms’ home to enjoy gardens and an evening of food and fireworks. Last year, Dairy Cares expanded its efforts by adding a run/walk to benefit Children’s Wisconsin, “Kickin’ It with the Cows.” Initially anticipated to attract 300 runners, the inaugural event drew more than four times that many participants. This year, the event saw 1,500 participants and raised nearly $20,000 for Children’s Wisconsin.

Dairy Cares of Wisconsin started eight years ago and brings together a group of professionals in the dairy and agricultural fields. It is registered non-profit organization that hosts fundraisers that shine a light on the impact Children’s Wisconsin has on kids and families in northeast Wisconsin and across the state. The funds it has raised have supported critical care services for kids facing serious medical conditions; the transport team that brings neonatal and pediatric critical care to kids in need, wherever they are; and the hospital’s simulation lab, where providers practice life-saving skills.