Engaging with our communities is a Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) priority. That was evidenced as the College honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during the College’s inaugural MLK Week of Service Literacy Project.

Throughout the week of January 20-24, more than 70 Moraine Park employees spread the joy of reading to elementary school students. Some read culturally responsive books to classrooms and individual students at three elementary schools — Chegwin in Fond du Lac, Green Tree in West Bend and Jefferson in Beaver Dam. Others personalized MPTC bookmarks to distribute to the schools’ nearly 1,000 students. Additionally, each school received more than 150 culturally responsive books for their libraries, thanks to donations from MPTC and Kiwanis of Fabulous FDL. What a great week it was!

morainepark.edu

Congratulations to Moraine Park’s very own Pete Rettler on earning the Hometown Hero designation at the State Assembly Floor Session on January 22.

Pete was nominated by Representative Rick Gundrum for his selfless community efforts that span from volunteering to organizing his run event every year that raises funds for charity.

Pete’s most notable impact revolves around his 25 Runs of Gratitude event in 2018, which collectively raised $34,000 for the United Way of Washington County. To date, that is the largest donation they have received from an event like this. You can find more information on Pete’s 25 Runs of Gratitude here.

Most recently, Pete helped the Wisconsin 9-11 Memorial raise $2,500 toward their efforts in building a memorial in Kewaskum.

Pete accepted his award with his son Max in attendance.

“I want to stress that I do not see myself as a hero. That title should be reserved for those that risk their lives every day,” Pete said. “ I am the one lucky enough to be here in Madison to receive this award, but I am merely a representative of a collection of friends, colleagues, and businesses that have donated to the year-end running event. Frankly, I’m just a guy with a streak that happens to throw a party at the end of every year. It’s the great people and businesses of Washington County that show up with their generous contributions. For that, I am incredibly thankful.”

Congratulations again to Pete for his continued efforts. This award is very well deserved!

You can watch his speech here (which begins around at the 12-minute mark).