(Whitewater Unites Lives submission) Summer Markham is a WUL Hometown Hero, and has been nominated “For being an outstanding school secretary, and for creating and organizing the Lakeview Loves program that provides food to hungry students at home.”

The nomination includes, “I would like to nominate Summer Markham as a Hometown Hero.  She is currently the secretary at Lakeview School in Whitewater.  This job, especially this year, can be completely overwhelming:  answering questions from staff, families, students, and being the nurse and security guard as well as doing the administrative work that is her job. However not only is Summer an outstanding elementary school secretary she is also the creator of a food backpack program for the families of Lakeview, Lakeview Loves.

She had this idea her first year at our school (2016) when she saw a need at our school for some of our students and their families.  Kids were acting out because they were hungry. She went into action getting food donated, obtaining grants and organizing volunteers.  This program has provided numerous families with weekly various non-perishable food bags and special treats at the holiday time.  When she saw a need for students to have a milk time snack she set her goals to also provide a snack for those students who didn’t bring one to school.  This program is provided to every family at Lakeview School no matter their financial situation.  During the first year the program served 34 kids, in 2019-2020 it served 52 students, and the enrollment is ongoing for the 2020-2021 school year.”

Summer said, “I am honored to receive such an award.  While I might have gotten Lakeview Loves running, Loves truly only happens with the amazing community involvement we are blessed to have.  I am thankful to all those who donate food and funds, and to our PTA and Whitewater Lions Club who really keep our program running with their outstanding volunteer efforts!   Our community of support is the real hero, for together we keep our students fed and ready to learn!  Thank you for honoring me and Lakeview Loves with this wonderful community award!”

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.   

 Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com