School fundraising effort hits 18 million milk caps and $900,000 donation milestone.
Longmont Dairy awarded Meridian Elementary School in Broomfield a celebratory donation through its Milk Caps for Mooola fundraising program after the school submitted the 18 millionth milk cap. Since the program launched in 2012, Longmont Dairy has collected 18 million milk caps, generating $900,000 in donations for participating schools across the Front Range.
Longmont Dairy hosted a special “milk and cookies” party for Meridian’s Structured Learning Services (SLS) program to mark the milestone. The celebration gave SLS students and staff an opportunity to recognize the impact of the program and the support it provides to their school community. The funding will help Meridian purchase new materials, tools and other resources that support neurodivergent students, and their individual learning needs, strengths, communication styles and ways of engaging. Meridian has previously used funding to purchase nonverbal communication boards, giving students additional ways to communicate with teachers and peers, and participate more fully during recess.
“We are incredibly grateful for this special gift and for the meaningful investment Longmont Dairy’s Milk Caps for Mooola program is making for our students,” says Heather Mitchell, SLS program teacher at Meridian Elementary School. “This support will make a difference not only through the resources we can provide, but also by helping us continue to build a school community where every student can learn, participate and feel a sense of belonging.”
Longmont Dairy started the Milk Caps for Mooola program to help local schools earn much-needed funding for supplies, programs and activities while teaching students about recycling and sustainability. More than 450 schools now participate, collecting approximately 40,000 caps each week during the school year.
“It’s amazing to see how far this program has grown to reach 18 million milk caps, thanks to the students, families and schools that continue to demonstrate its significance to their communities,” says Katie Copeland, co-owner of Longmont Dairy. “As a family-owned business, we are proud to provide wholesome products that nourish families, and opportunities that nourish the neighborhoods we serve. Milk Caps for Mooola is one way we’re able to make that connection.”
Students, families, neighbors and educators are encouraged to collect caps from Longmont Dairy bottles, including milk, cold brew, lemonade, orange juice and eggnog. As the program works toward its next milestone of $1 million in donations, participating schools receive 5 cents for every cap they collect, which they can use to directly benefit their students. Schools have used Milk Caps for Mooola funding for electronic equipment such as tablets and computers, playground equipment, athletic programs and art supplies. A list of participating schools, along with information for schools interested in joining the free program, is available on Longmont Dairy’s website.
