Some stories are just fun to tell, and this one tops the list.
The PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom Campaign started with a simple idea. We wanted to recognize local teachers making a real difference in their classrooms, and we wanted our community to help us find them. What began as a nomination drive turned into one of the most rewarding projects we’ve ever been part of.
Here’s how the PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom Campaign came together and why we think Rachel Hanspal’s story deserves to be told.
How the PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom Campaign Began
With help from our community, the PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom campaign started by spotlighting ten local teachers on our social media. Each nominee had a story worth sharing, and each one was already going above and beyond for their students. Choosing just one felt nearly impossible.
But when we read about Rachel Hanspal, a teacher at Curtis Strange Elementary School in Kenosha, something clicked. Her dedication to her students stood out immediately, and we knew the PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom Campaign had found its teacher.
Building Rachel’s Wish List
Once Rachel was selected, the next step in the PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom Campaign involved something simple but meaningful. We asked her to create an Amazon Wish List filled with items she needed and wanted for her classroom.
Teachers spend so much of their own money on supplies most people never think about. The PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom Campaign wanted to change that, even if just for one classroom. PuroClean of Burlington purchased everything on Rachel’s list, totaling nearly $1,000 in classroom supplies. Every item represented something Rachel needed to help her students learn and thrive.
The Surprise Assembly
This is where the PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom Campaign became something truly special.
Working closely with the principal at Curtis Strange Elementary School, we planned a surprise assembly honoring Rachel in front of her students and fellow teachers. Nobody told her what was coming.
I had the privilege of speaking to the students that day about what it really means to be a superhero. We talked about how superheroes don’t always wear capes. Sometimes they’re the people who show up every single day, who care about others, and who quietly make a difference in someone’s life without expecting anything in return.
That’s exactly who Rachel is. The PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom Campaign gave us the chance to say so publicly, surrounded by the very students she shows up for every day.
When we revealed the classroom supplies, the room lit up. Rachel’s reaction said everything. It was emotional, joyful, and exactly the kind of moment the PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom Campaign was designed to create.
Community and Media Response
The story didn’t stay contained to one school gymnasium. Both TMJ4 News and CBS 58 sent crews to cover the assembly, and the PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom Campaign was featured on evening news broadcasts throughout the Milwaukee and Kenosha areas.
Seeing the story spread online and on television reminded us why campaigns like this matter. It wasn’t about the media attention. It was about making sure teachers like Rachel know their work is seen and valued.
Why the PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom Campaign Matters
At its heart, the PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom Campaign reflects what PuroClean Cares is all about. It’s not just a slogan. It’s a commitment to finding real people doing real good and finding meaningful ways to support them.
Rachel Hanspal represents so many teachers across Wisconsin who give more than anyone realizes. The PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom Campaign gave us one small opportunity to say thank you in a big way.
We’re proud to call Kenosha and the surrounding communities part of our service area, and we’re grateful for every person who submitted a nomination. The PuroClean Cares Adopt a Classroom Campaign wouldn’t have been possible without a community willing to point out the everyday heroes among them.
We look forward to finding more stories like Rachel’s in the future.
PuroClean of Burlington proudly serves communities throughout Wisconsin and Illinois with water damage restoration, mold remediation, and biohazard cleanup services, while giving back through initiatives like PuroClean Cares.
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