MONROE - Baumgartner Cheese Store and Tavern in downtown Monroe held it’s annual ceiling donation clearing last week. 

Over the past 12 months, $4,500 had been thrown and pinned to the ceiling. The store kicked in another $500 itself to make an even $5,000, then separated it into five equal portions to donate to each Monroe school PTO and student service funds. The donated money might go toward field trips, food, clothing, or school supplies. 

“Hearing the appreciation from the staff for this small donation, and the words of how much good this will do the students, and how much the staff appreciate the support and need it right now, it made me so happy to be able to donate this money collected from our customers to such a great cause,” wrote owner Chris Soukup in a Facebook post.