This year marks a special milestone for Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW) — 20 years of partnership and community connection through the Madison Public Schools Foundation’s Adopt-A-School program.
In 2005, GHC-SCW became the first organization to embrace the mission of supporting Madison’s public schools through the program. Founder and former GHC-SCW Chief Executive Officer Larry Zanoni participated in a Principal for a Day at Crestwood Elementary School. Zanoni’s experience inspired him to look for an opportunity for GHC-SCW to be a resource for schools with health and service needs.
Collaborative planning efforts with Leopold Elementary staff and the Madison Public Schools Foundation led to GHC-SCW establishing an Adopt-a-School partnership with Leopold. This marked the beginning of a lasting commitment to enhance education, enrich student experiences and help create brighter futures – one classroom at a time, as GHC-SCW expanded to forming additional Adopt-a-School partnerships.
Now, 20 years later, GHC-SCW is being honored at this year’s Adopt-A-School celebration, recognized for their longevity in the program and the meaningful relationships they’ve nurtured with six local schools. These schools include:
- Allis Elementary School
- Anana Elementary School
- Badger Rock Middle School
- Leopold Elementary School
- Sandburg Elementary School
- Thoreau Elementary School
A few ways that GHC-SCW staff have been involved in Adopt-A-School over the past 20 years include:
- Provided a medical home and access to free services to uninsured Leopold children.
- Participated in crock pot cooking classes with students and families.
- Donated medical supplies for nurse’s offices.
- Assembled winter break boxes, which consisted of food, games, household items, warm clothing and toys for the students.
- Provided language line access (ways for students and families to communicate with others when they don’t speak the same language) and provided Spanish interpreters or member liaisons for families.
- Donated healthy snacks and fitness devices for physical activities.
In 2010, the Adopt-A-School program expanded to include the Primary Access for Kids program. GHC-SCW worked with the Dane County Health Council to expand the program model to ensure that all children in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) had access to quality health care. They began partnering with additional local healthcare partners and providers for all 50 MMSD schools, giving access to preventative and primary care for all uninsured children at no cost.
In 2017, GHC-SCW employees started an initiative to ease the burden on local families during the holidays. Employees bought gifts from the families’ wish lists and delivered them directly to the Adopt-a-School partner schools in time for school social workers to distribute to families before the holidays. This program continues today, bringing joy and relief to families in need during the holiday season and strengthening the cooperative spirit within the GHC-SCW community.
As we look back on 20 years with the Adopt-A-School program, this partnership has become something truly special. What started as a simple idea — to support local schools — has turned into two decades of connection, care, and community. Along the way, we’ve built lasting relationships with students, families and educators who continue to inspire us.
We’re incredibly proud of the work that’s been done — but more than anything, we’re excited about what’s still to come. Because when we support our schools, we’re supporting the future of our community. And after 20 years, we’re just getting started.
