A wave of purple washed over the city on Friday, May 8th as Monroe High School (MHS) staff and students set out to represent the bright future of our district and local community. This year marked the 14th annual Day of Service (DOS), a cherished tradition that engaged over 700 participants. Together, they contributed over 2,100 hours of community service in a single day.

DOS 2026: Setting the Stage

The event began with an energetic rally in the gymnasium, featuring a powerful message from Colony Brands Foundation President John Baumann. He spoke about the profound impact of volunteerism and the lasting difference one person can make. Following the kickoff, MHS Principal Jeriamy Jackson released the crews to their respective work sites.

To fuel this massive effort, we are proud to announce that lunch was sponsored by the Monroe Morning Optimists, Performance Foods, and Sysco Foods. Their generosity ensured every student enjoyed a free meal after the morning of hard work.

Service in Action

Working side-by-side with site coordinators and MHS staff, students engaged in a wide variety of projects that transcended the typical classroom dynamic. As academia took a backseat to manual labor, students were challenged to build new skills and adapt to unique challenges.

Whether they were pulling weeds, spreading mulch, planting flowers, or moving rocks, these crews were ready to work. Some teams focused on cleaning, organizing, painting, or washing windows, while others cleared litter from our streets. Whether walking to nearby sites or traveling via Lamer’s Transportation Services, every student had a role to play.

More Than Just One Day

For many staff members, the Day of Service is the highlight of the year. Rolling up their sleeves and getting dirty alongside their students builds a unique bond that carries back into the school halls. Students learn the value of “selfless giving” through the act of contributing to the greater good without expecting anything in return.

There is a distinct sense of pride that comes from leaving a space better than you found it. Through this experience, students realized that we are more than a collection of neighbors; we are a community in action. Today is our bond. By fostering teamwork, excellence, and empathy, DOS 2026 reinforced the character-building mission that MHS faculty strive for every day.

A Community of Gratitude

This event is only possible because of a collective commitment to our youth. We extend a heartfelt thank you to Colony Brands for sponsoring the official DOS shirts for every participant. The sight of students, faculty, and bus drivers unified in purple was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together.

We also thank John Baumann for his inspiring leadership, and Lamer’s Bus Service for their essential role in coordinating transportation. Our gratitude goes out to the Monroe Morning Optimists, Performance Foods, and Sysco Foods for providing lunch.

Finally, to our community partners, MSD administration, and the dedicated staff and students of MHS: thank you for bringing the 2026 Day of Service to life.

Once again we are grateful to our community partners for welcoming us in and providing projects for our students that will make a difference in the Monroe Community.

Abraham Lincoln School

Bountiful Hope Gardens

Cadiz Springs Park

DNR Badger Trail Clean-up

Fowler Dental Clinic

Green County Child Advocacy Center

Green County Courthouse

Green County Fairgrounds

Green County Food Pantry

Green County Highway Department

Monroe High School

Green County Humane Society

Green County Veterans Memorial Park

Green Haven Family Advocates

Historic Cheesemaking Center

Kiwanis Youth Cabin

Lamers Bus Service

Monroe Arts Center

Monroe Clinic Hospital

Monroe Main Street

Monroe Middle School

Monroe Parks Dept

Monroe Theater Guild

Orion Family Services

Parkside Elementary School

Pleasant View Nursing Home

SSM Health Monroe Hospice Home

St. Clare Friedensheim

St. John’s United Church of Christ

St. Victor’s School

Thrivent Financial Services

Turner Hall/Wisc Cheese Corp

Union Presbyterian Church

— Tim Brown is the MHS Day of Service Coordinator. He can be reached at timothybrown@monroe.k12.wi.us.