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Local trainer launches school milk drive
LAUREL — A Laurel native is looking to give back to the community.
Personal trainer and Fitness and Training center owner, Nicole Dennis, is heading the third annual milk and snack ticket drive for Laurel Concord Coleridge Public School.
“I was just looking for a way to give back,” said Dennis. “I’ve always had a heart for helping people, especially kids.”
Dennis returned to the community in 2021 with a degree in nutrition and exercise science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After enrolling her children in the school, she noticed the need in the community.
“I just felt the push, I guess, and obviously with my background in nutrition, I know the importance of having a kid eat well,” said Dennis. “I know the connection between how they perform in the classroom and how they’re eating.”
Dennis said the Laurel community has been very supportive of her initiative, but the topic is still foreign to many.
“You think of it in big cities, but it’s close to home,” said Dennis. “There’s some kids that may not get many healthy meals, or meals at all.”
Her goal is to raise $2,800 to donate to the LCC school district for milk/snack tickets. She has raised the goal each year and said the need is not going away.
“I contacted the school first to see if there was a need, and yes, definitely there is a need,” said Dennis.
To spread the word, Dennis has used social media and word of mouth through her clientele but encourages everyone to participate.
“People are willing, especially when they know it’s local kids, you know, it’s our neighbors and our friends,” said Dennis.
The money she or the school receives gets distributed to kids’ milk and snack accounts anonymously. The accounts these funds go into help cover the cost of second meals, which range from $1.15 to $1.65 per day, as well as milk and snack punch cards for $12 for 20 punches. For children who receive both milk and a snack daily, the cost adds up to $24 per month per child.
Dennis said that in the first week, they raised $500 and will continue to collect donations through Aug 12.
She hopes this fundraiser continues to show the community how generosity can impact children’s lives.
“I hope this keeps opening up our eyes that people are struggling, and we just don’t know what people are going through,” said Dennis. “As long as there is a need, I will continue to raise awareness and funds.”
Dennis said she encourages people who many live outside the Laurel school district to contact their local schools to see if they have a need as well.
“If there is a need, then donate as needed or whatever you feel comfortable donating,” said Dennis. “Even if it’s just a month’s worth of supporting a kid, that’s a month of meals that may not be there.”
If anyone is looking to donate, Dennis said they can make a check out to LCC and drop it off to her or to the school, or Venmo her @NicoleDennis and label the transaction “LCC Milk Drive.”
