De Pere, WI – This week, the De Pere High School Key Club joined forces with the nonprofit Desert Veterans of Wisconsin to assemble almost 100 care packages for area veterans. The effort, led by Project Coordinator Matt Colwell, a former U.S. Army paratrooper, reflects a growing tradition of student‑led service in the community.
Veteran‑focused care packages
Key Club members packed each bag with warm winter gear, personal‑care items and an olive‑drab blanket reminiscent of the gear issued to soldiers decades ago. “We always try to add something fun in addition to the standard care items,” Colwell said.
While the practical items are appreciated, Colwell emphasized that the handwritten cards from students across the district are the most treasured part of the packages. “Several years ago, I visited a Vietnam vet who told me, ‘No one’s ever done anything like this for me before,’” he recalled.
Student leadership and family ties
Senior Lillianna Graf and junior Clare Enright served in leadership roles for the Key Club project. Graf explained her personal connection: “My dad was in the Navy, so serving veterans is especially important to me.” Enright added, “Being able to interact with veterans is a great opportunity for the club and for the kids involved.”
The initiative marks the second consecutive year that De Pere students have organized the care‑package drive. The effort not only supports veterans residing in assisted‑living facilities and hospice care but also reinforces the school’s commitment to community service and patriotism.
Delivery scheduled for Veterans Day week
Colwell confirmed that the packages will be delivered during the week of Veterans Day, which falls on Wednesday this year. The timing ensures that veterans receive the gifts in time for the national holiday honoring their service.
Desert Veterans of Wisconsin, a De Pere‑based nonprofit, focuses on assisting veterans throughout the region. By partnering with local schools, the organization helps bridge generational gaps and fosters a culture of gratitude among younger residents.
Continuing a tradition of service
Colwell, who served in the 82nd Airborne Division from 2003 to 2008, has been filling care packages for 17 years. His long‑standing involvement underscores the lasting impact of volunteerism on both veterans and the students who serve them.
As the community prepares to honor its hometown heroes, the Key Club’s effort stands as a testament to the power of faith‑rooted service, family values, and individual liberty—principles that guide De Pere’s residents in caring for those who defended the nation’s freedoms.
Original reporting: FOX 11 WLUK Green Bay (local) — read the source article.
