Good Neighbor Festival Trustees

Middleton Chamber of Commerce: The Chamber works to promote a strong economy and high quality of life for the greater Middleton community. Its “why” is “to be a connected business community that inspires, shares and learns from each other – so that we’re able to grow, succeed and contribute to our greater community.”  

Under the direction of new Executive Director Kate Wicker, the Chamber focuses on facilitation, advocacy, education and communication for its more than 700 business members. Its motto: “We are STRONGER together!”

Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Education Foundation: The MCPASD Education Foundation supports the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District’s efforts to improve student achievement across all demographic groups by focusing on equitable practices – the heart of an inclusive, innovative and inspiring learning community. They award staff grants and student scholarships annually, and fund programs and activities aligned with the district’s priorities each school year. 

The Foundation is also focused on supporting students in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising funds to provide internet access for virtual learning, food and personal hygiene supplies.  Contact Executive Director Amber Kiggens-Leifheit at amber@mcpasdfoundation.org to learn how you can help.

Middleton Kiwanis: Middleton Kiwanis is an organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time.  Kiwanis projects include sponsoring and mentoring Key Club students at Middleton High School as they learn leadership skills through service projects; providing scholarships for college bound students and for Easter Seal Camp Wawbeek (which offers a true camp experience to people with physical disabilities); sponsoring Cub Scout pack 240; maintaining flower gardens at Lakeview Park and at the Vilas Zoo; and supporting the Red Kettle effort for the Salvation Army.

Middleton Lions Club: The Lions Club is the largest service organization in the world. Its mission is “To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.” 

The Middleton Lions motto is “We Serve,” and that they do!  Their signature project is supporting the expansion of the Restoring Hope Transplant House, where transplant families and patients find compassion, care and support.  They also serve the community through many other activities, including support of children’s vision screening, Lions Camp, Reach-a-Child, Middleton Baseball, Braille Library & Transcribing Services, Inc. and Cub Scout Pack 540.  As “knights in the fight for sight,” they collect used eyeglasses in a dropbox located next to the Senior Center on Hubbard Ave. to be reused.

Middleton Optimists: The Middleton Optimists foster their core mission of “Serving the Youth of Our Community” through a variety of activities. They are most recognized for their signature event, “Cops & Bobbers.”  Their fundraising allows them to provide financial support to the Middleton Baseball & Softball Commission, the Boy Scouts and the Police Department. 

The Optimists are also supporters of education. Every month during the school year they recognize a “Student of the Month” and a “Rising Star,” and also provide four years of scholarship funding for a graduating senior each year.  They sponsor the Optimist Oratorical Contest, which began in 1928, and has become the longest running program sponsored by the Optimist Organization.  The contest is designed for youth to gain experience in public speaking, perfect self-expression, gain self assurance, improve communication skills and provide students with the opportunity to compete for a college scholarship.