On January 24th, students at Pinecrest Elementary celebrated their hard work and generosity with a special treat—fresh custard served by Culver’s of Hastings. The event marked the …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in, using the login form, below, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
On January 24th, students at Pinecrest Elementary celebrated their hard work and generosity with a special treat—fresh custard served by Culver’s of Hastings. The event marked the culmination of the school’s participation in the “10 Days of Giving” campaign, a collaborative effort between Culver’s, Merchants Bank, and Hastings Family Services.
Josh Malaske, owner of Culver’s of Hastings, led the efforts to bring this celebration to life. “A lot of work behind the scenes goes into making this happen,” Malaske shared. “From running fresh custard to pre-scooping and setting up for the event, our team spends about two to three hours preparing. Then, it’s all hands on deck to serve 500 kids in about 40 minutes.”
This year’s campaign saw Pinecrest students collecting an impressive 3,433 pounds of food and raising $1,116, making their combined total $4,549. Their contribution was a landslide victory over other local schools, with McAuliffe Elementary gathering 541 pounds of food and $454, and Kennedy Elementary collecting 626 pounds of food and $60.
As the top-performing school, Pinecrest earned a custard treat for every student and a Culver’s ButterBurger and fries lunch for all school staff. Mayor Mary Fasbender joined the celebration to help serve, underscoring the community-wide support for this initiative.
“The kids did an amazing job,” Malaske said. “Their efforts helped collect 4,600 pounds of food and $1,630.05 overall, which Hastings Family Services will use to provide 8,500 pounds of food from Second Harvest Heartland. That’s enough to feed about 220 people for more than a week.”
Pinecrest students were ecstatic about their well-earned reward. “It’s always exciting to see their faces light up,” Malaske added. “We’re so proud of their dedication and generosity. Keep doing what you’re doing, kids—you’re making a big difference!”
The “10 Days of Giving” campaign has become a cherished tradition in Hastings, with schools vying for the top spot each year. Pinecrest has now claimed victory two years in a row, following three consecutive wins by Kennedy Elementary.
Malaske, who has been involved in the campaign for five years, reflected on the event’s growing impact. “Every year, the schools go above and beyond. It’s a testament to the incredible community spirit here in Hastings.”
The day’s festivities also served as a reminder of the power of collective effort. Together, the students’ contributions will make a lasting impact on families in need across the community.
For those who stopped by to witness the event, the joy and excitement were palpable—a true celebration of what can be achieved when a community comes together for a common cause.
