Gustine, Texas – A bright new bottle of milk is rolling onto grocery‑store shelves across the state, and it carries a story of faith, family and community service. The limited‑edition glass bottle, produced by Volleman’s Dairy, showcases a vibrant floral pattern drawn by Octavia, a seven‑year‑old patient at Children’s Health. Octavia’s artwork was selected as the winner of the dairy’s annual bottle‑design contest, a program that invites young patients to submit original creations for a chance to see their work featured on a product that families buy every day.
How the contest works
Each year Volleman’s Family Farm partners with Children’s Health to encourage children facing serious medical challenges to express themselves through art. Participants submit drawings, and a panel of judges—including representatives from the dairy, the hospital and local community leaders—chooses a design that will be printed on one of the brand’s iconic glass milk bottles. The contest not only celebrates the creativity of these children but also raises funds for The Children’s Medical Center Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families throughout Texas.
Octavia’s winning design
Octavia’s submission stood out for its bold colors and joyful composition, featuring a cascade of blossoms that wrap around the bottle’s curved surface. “I love flowers and I wanted the bottle to look happy,” Octavia explained, smiling as she held a mock‑up of the final product. Her family traveled to Volleman’s Family Farm in Gustine for a celebratory visit, where they toured the dairy’s historic facilities, met the farm’s owners and learned how the milk is processed and bottled.
Supporting a vital cause
Volleman’s Dairy has pledged that a portion of the proceeds from each specially‑labeled bottle will be donated to The Children’s Medical Center Foundation. To date, sales of the 2026 design have generated $3,500 for the foundation, directly funding programs that provide medical care, counseling and family support services to children battling illness. The partnership exemplifies how local businesses can rally around faith‑based values of generosity and stewardship, strengthening the fabric of the community.
Community response
Local residents have embraced the new bottle, noting its eye‑catching design and the cause it supports. “It’s wonderful to see a child’s artwork on something we buy every day,” said Mary Jensen, a longtime customer of Volleman’s Dairy. “Knowing that our purchase helps other families makes it even more meaningful.” The dairy plans to feature the design on shelves throughout Texas for the remainder of the year, encouraging shoppers to contribute to the foundation with each purchase.
Looking ahead
Volleman’s Dairy and Children’s Health intend to continue the collaboration in future years, inviting more young patients to share their artistic visions. The program aligns with the broader mission of both organizations to nurture hope, celebrate resilience and uphold the values of family and faith that anchor Texas communities. As Octavia’s family reflected after their farm visit, “This experience shows that even a small drawing can make a big difference for other kids.”
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
