Kaufman Foundation donation helps purchase winter gear for students

MARQUETTE — Every child need toys for Christmas, but they also need basics, like a warm jacket and snow pants. A generous donation from the Kaufman Foundation is providing students with those winter necessities.

The Marquette Area Public Schools received the donation to support their “Coats for Kids” campaign, which aims to provide school-aged kids with winter gear. The district bought 47 coats, 29 pairs of snow pants and 36 pairs of boots to give to students who may not have the resources to buy them on their own.

“For the students, they aren’t the one student now showing up to school that doesn’t have the jacket, that doesn’t have the boots, that can’t maybe play to the same capacity as the other kids on the playground. They’re going to be able to fully participate and fit in, just like any other student,” said Superintendent of Marquette Area Public Schools Bill Saunders.

In the eyes of the district, the donation allows them to take care of the basic needs of students outside of school as well.

The Green Bay Costco and the Marquette Kohl’s also threw in discounts and donations to purchase the winter gear.