Milverton youth donates $10,000 to give every Perth County student free chocolate milk

Milverton’s Wyatt Westman-Frijters visits Milverton Public School with free chocolate milk, part of his effort to ensure every student in Perth County received a nutritious treat before the holidays. Contributed photo

By Gary West

Students across Perth County received an unexpected – and much-appreciated – treat last week thanks to the generosity of Milverton’s Wyatt Westman-Frijters and the support of Perth County Dairy Producers.

Westman-Frijters, who recently sold a Holstein calf during a charity auction, donated $10,000 of his own proceeds to ensure every student in all 41 schools across the county could enjoy a carton of chocolate milk. His goal was simple: give kids access to a nutritious local product instead of sugary drinks and brighten the holiday season for families who may be feeling the pinch this time of year.

Westman-Frijters said he knows Christmas can be difficult for many households and wanted to help in a way that brings joy and promotes healthy choices. His donation set the wheels in motion for Perth County Dairy Committee volunteers, who spent the week delivering chocolate milk to schools in Stratford, St. Marys, Listowel, Milverton, Mitchell and throughout the county’s rural villages.

Principals, teachers and parents were quick to praise both Wyatt and the local dairy farmers for their community spirit, noting how excited students were to receive the surprise just three weeks before Christmas.

As one committee member put it, “Milk is nature’s most perfect food – and this was the perfect time to share it.”