Commitment to Schools Earns State Honors for 2 Businesses

Two Port Washington businesses have been named to the Wisconsin School Board Association 2012 Business Honor Roll for partnering with and supporting local schools.

Dockside Deli and the Port Washington State Bank were two of more than 70 businesses nominated statewide for the honor.

Dockside Deli was nominated by the Port Washington-Saukville School Board due to owner Don Voigt’s support of the district’s STEM program and the deli's sponsoring of activities, including robotics at the elementary and high schools and the cardboard regatta, and also the donation of space for a variety of school events and soup for the annual 100 Bowls event held in conjunction with the high school.

“On top of all this, Don is a humble, positive, and optimistic person, and it shows in his businesses and in the community,” according to the entry nominating Dockside Deli.

In its nomination entry, the Schowalter family and the Port Washington State Bank were noted for their lengthy involvement with the school district over several generations, making their contributions and support over the years “too numerous to list.”

However, more recently, the bank has provided the district with quality banking services.

“Their professionals have also assisted our business office (with) investment advice, and they are very active participants on the education foundation board,” according to the nomination entry.

Also, last year, James Schowalter helped one elementary school purchase three iPods for every classroom, a variety of electronic fiction and nonfiction books, and MP3 players, according to the nomination.

The Bank gives student scholarships each year, supports Character Counts activities, and is an outspoken advocate for educating children, according to the nomination entry.