Jay, who has lived in the Waukesha area for nearly 20 years, is an active volunteer who serves on numerous local boards and committees. He’s married to Colleen with three kids having gone through the Waukesha schools. He is the VP of a local distribution company and currently serves on several area Boards.
Christmas arrived on December 22’nd this year.
Every year my family asks “What do you want for Christmas this year?” Every year I give the same ritualistic response: “Good kids”.
My wife received a call from the Waukesha North School Resource Officer, Terry Thieme. Officer Thieme related how our senior daughter, Caitlin, had been commended for turning in a “wad of money”. She found the money in a school hallway and, without disturbing or counting the money, turned it in to the Officer.
The bundle of money was $107! His call reflected on how a fellow student had reported the loss and was able to identify and get the money back. We were told the student had the money to pay for Christmas presents. We also received an email from the North H.S. Principal, Dr. Ryan Champeau, congratulating us on Caitlin's actions.
The Officer has a fund which rewards students for positive actions. He gave Caitlin $25. She rejected the reward because she was “just doing the right thing”. When pushed, she accepted the money and then promptly drove to the Elmbrook Humane Society where she donated it in the name of Waukesha North. (She has volunteered there over the years.)
Interestingly, Caitlin had not even found her actions worth mentioning at home…
It's rare when as parents you get concrete validation that your efforts and hopes are paying off. Our entire family is very proud of Caitlin from start to finish. Hers is a heart-warming story for the holidays, and I have to believe the student who lost the money has to be relieved.
Christmas came early this year to the Walt household, and I received everything I asked for and more – “Good…no…Great Kids!”
