The 2025 ‘Class Act School Supply Drive’ raised $57,350 to deliver essential school supplies to local children in need. Through generous donations across southeastern Wisconsin, thousands of students in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties will now have fundamental classroom tools before school starts.
For 12 years, WISN-TV and The Salvation Army have partnered on the annual fundraising campaign.
“There’s no end to the generosity, kindness, and compassion of our community,” said Shawn Oswald, president and general manager of WISN 12. “Through these donations, our viewers are ensuring kids are set up for success ahead of the new school year.”
During the ‘Class Act School Supply Drive,’ donations were collected online, via text, and through a phone bank, which took place on Aug. 20. Volunteers from the Salvation Army, Milwaukee Public Schools, Echelon, and Amazon joined together to staff the phone lines, taking generous donations from viewers. Thanks to a matching challenge from FIS Global, an additional $2,000 was contributed. The money will be used to fill 2,300 backpacks full of classroom tools for students throughout the area. The crucial school supplies include items such as notebooks, folders, pencils, pens, highlighters, and markers.
“Every year it’s so heartwarming to see the kids’ reactions when they get their backpacks,” Oswald said. “It really reinforces the impact that our community can have on each other, helping local families who could use some extra support.” Established in 2013, the annual campaign has collected more than $675,000 in donations. This amounts to approximately 37,800 backpacks stuffed with supplies to benefit disadvantaged students in southeastern Wisconsin.
