A big idea made a huge difference for the small community of Cashton.

Deb Wilkening said she wanted to help local farmers who were dumping milk. She was raised in Cashton and still had family living there. After speaking with her brother about the idea, he noted many small businesses in downtown Cashton were also struggling. It was the simple beginning of Together We Are Cashton.

The group was made up of local businesses and community clubs in the area. Several dairy processors donated product for a dairy drive event. Hundreds of pounds of butter, milk, cheese, cottage cheese and more were available for anyone to pick up May 2.

“They could come get them no questions asked,” Wilkening said.

Donations were being collected at the drive-thru event for those who were able to give. There was already a $10,000 match being offered from local nonprofit organizations, so the goal was to reach $20,000 in total fundraising efforts. In the end, Together We Are Cashton had $37,000.

“We were so happy,” Wilkening said. “We cannot believe how much the Cashton community and area residents came together to help us out with very generous donations, and now only how much, but also how quickly. I think we put it together in under 10 days.”

Half of the money raised will be used to purchase gift cards equally among the Cashton businesses. Those gift cards will go back to the nonprofit organizations that offered the $10,000 match.

“They are going to be getting a little more back than what they actually gave us to start with,” Wilkening said.

Those gift cards then can be used for upcoming fundraisers or sponsorships so businesses are not asked to donate as much after facing difficult financial times.

Wilkening and her fellow organizers were still deciding how to use the remaining funds. 

The leftover dairy products that were not picked up, including 125 cases of snack packs that included cheese and meat, were given to local school districts for their meal distribution programs as food is being delivered to students at home. 

Wilkening said they will be looking to do additional fundraising efforts in the future, but anyone who wishes can send a donation to P.O. Box 1, Cashton, WI 54619.

A big idea made a huge difference for the small community of Cashton.
Deb Wilkening said she wanted to help local farmers who were dumping milk. She was raised in Cashton and still had family living there. After speaking with her brother about the idea, he noted many small businesses in downtown Cashton were also struggling. It was the simple beginning of Together We Are Cashton.
The group was made up of local businesses and community clubs in the area. Several dairy processors donated product for a dairy drive event. Hundreds of pounds of butter, milk, cheese, cottage cheese and more were available for anyone to pick up May 2.
&ldquo;They could come get them no questions asked,&rdquo; Wilkening said.
Donations were being collected at the drive-thru event for those who were able to give. There was already a $10,000 match being offered from local nonprofit organizations, so the goal was to reach $20,000 in total fundraising efforts. In the end, Together We Are Cashton had $37,000.
&ldquo;We were so happy,&rdquo; Wilkening said. &ldquo;We cannot believe how much the Cashton community and area residents came together to help us out with very generous donations, and now only how much, but also how quickly. I think we put it together in under 10 days.&rdquo; Half of the money raised will be used to purchase gift cards equally among the Cashton businesses. Those gift cards will go back to the nonprofit organizations that offered the $10,000 match.
&ldquo;They are going to be getting a little more back than what they actually gave us to start with,&rdquo; Wilkening said.
Those gift cards then can be used for upcoming fundraisers or sponsorships so businesses are not asked to donate as much after facing difficult financial times.
Wilkening and her fellow organizers were still deciding how to use the remaining funds. The leftover dairy products that were not picked up, including 125 cases of snack packs that included cheese and meat, were given to local school districts for their meal distribution programs as food is being delivered to students at home. 
Wilkening said they will be looking to do additional fundraising efforts in the future, but anyone who wishes can send a donation to P.O. Box 1, Cashton, WI 54619.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

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