Dedicated to helping children

DE PERE, Wis. — Fifteen years ago, a group of dairy industry friends decided they wanted to give back. The cause they chose to fight for is helping children who are sick or facing medical emergencies. It was around this purpose that Dairy Cares of Wisconsin was formed.

“It was a cause people could easily get behind — helping children,” said Jim Ostrom, co-founder and chairman of Dairy Cares of Wisconsin and CEO and president of Milk Source. “It’s been a great 15 years of success. So many things in life are difficult, but being part of Dairy Cares has been very easy. The enthusiasm displayed by the entire industry has really grown.”

Since its beginning, Dairy Cares of Wisconsin has raised more than $3.7 million on behalf of Children’s Wisconsin. Those funds have been applied across a broad array of medical needs, directly benefiting children and families facing medical emergencies and related long-term health issues. In addition, Dairy Cares has helped fund two special projects for the hospital system.

One of these projects was the Dairy Cares Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy space at Children’s Wisconsin-Fox Valley. Opened in 2022, this space helps children regain skills as part of their treatment plans.

In 2018, Children’s Wisconsin-Milwaukee launched the state-of-the-art Dairy Cares Simulation Lab, which gives hands-on educational training to medical professionals, allowing the safe practice of real-life scenarios, such as reviving someone in a car accident.

“Those involved in Dairy Cares are very passionate about the topic of medical care for young people,” Ostrom said. “Many of us know somebody who has been helped by Children’s. It’s a world-class organization.”

A garden party held every summer in De Pere at the Ostrom family home serves as the primary fundraiser for Dairy Cares of Wisconsin. Dinner and a live auction are highlights of an evening conducted in a setting of elaborately landscaped gardens. Cows also come to the event to mingle with guests.

“We’re blessed with some show cows that are used to walking around and being around people,” Ostrom said. “Our urban friends and others just absolutely love them.”

Ostrom welcomes guests to the party before handing the microphone over to Alice in Dairyland who says a few words. She is followed up by families and doctors from Children’s Wisconsin who also provide comments. The party is capped off with fireworks.

The success of the annual garden party has exceeded expectations. Organizers thought the inaugural event might bring in $10,000, but it ended up raising $60,000. This year, the 15th anniversary garden party brought in more than 500 guests and raised a record $516,000 for Children’s Wisconsin.

“We want to give back, but we also want to facilitate others to give back,” Ostrom said. “It’s so exciting because there is a lot of enthusiasm for Dairy Cares in the industry and in the general business community. We have this wonderful event that people dress up for, but what strikes me is the conversation is never around the food or the environment; it’s always around how we can help children.”

Those in attendance include people from the dairy industry, as well as people from around the community and the state who promote the cause. A fundraising drive in the weeks leading up to the event features an online silent auction. Dairy Cares of Wisconsin also accepts donations year-round through its website and Facebook page.

“We have gratitude for any amount,” Ostrom said. “We’re thankful for whatever anybody is comfortable doing.”

Support for the endeavor comes from around the country.

“We use our influence in the dairy industry; and vendors, suppliers and customers have all shown support,” Ostrom said.

Ostrom said he originally thought donations would be tied specifically to the dairy industry, but Dairy Cares of Wisconsin has broadened over time.

“There are companies with really no ties to the industry that are sponsors because they know it’s a great cause,” he said. “They want to help out, and that’s great for us.”

One of Ostrom’s favorite moments with Dairy Cares of Wisconsin was listening to a speech given several years ago at the garden party by a boy named Troy, who had been a patient of Children’s Wisconsin. He had undergone heart surgery in which he received a valve from a cow’s heart.

“He gave a fabulous speech filled with enthusiasm, laughter and gratitude,” Ostrom said. “That moment was so touching. He had the crowd in stitches. It was so amazing for a young man to do that.”

Philanthropy is a focus of Ostrom’s, and he encourages others to also help those in need.

“I often tell people, especially young people, if you can’t contribute money at least contribute some time,” Ostrom said. “It might be helping a neighbor or a cause like Dairy Cares. Make it part of your personal mission of giving. It doesn’t necessarily have to be dollars.”

Dairy Cares of Wisconsin continues to grow, and Ostrom said the group is appreciative of the generous hearts in the dairy industry.

“I think it’s important for us to give back,” he said. “So much of our lives are focused on building a thriving business, and once in a while, we have to slow down and give a little bit back.”