For some kids, this summer will be a little different. They'll be at home while one of their parents will be in Iraq. That can make things tough in many ways, including financially.

Thursday afternoon, TDS made the first donation of $2,000 to “Mini-Grants for Military Families.”

Money donated will be used for families in the Middleton-Cross Plains School District who need a little help affording summer activities like camp, or little league, or dance lessons.

Finding the money to pay for things like that can get tough when one of the bread–winners is serving their country. That's where Jane Jensen, an organizer, got the idea for the grants."

I got the idea when I heard about a young child who wasn't going to be able to attend an event because his mother didn't have $15, and the teachers at his school took up a collection."

Bill Reis, MCPSD Superintendent, says, "We have 56,000 children in our school district and it's reasonable to assume that some of the children have parents in the military and some of those kids are feeling the loss of their parents or their absence."

If you'd like to make a donation to this cause you can by sending your check to:

“Mini Grants for Military Families”
5471 Williamsburg Way
Madison, WI 53719

For more information, call (608) 277–1249.