Each year, the kindergarten classes in Weyauwega receive Smokey the Bear stuffed animals, backpacks and coloring books from the Weyauwega Fire Department.
The fire department does so in anticipation of the wildland fire season.
The students take the stuffed animal home to share the story with their families.
After “Smokey” visits has all the students’ homes, a drawing is held and a student from each of the kindergarten classes gets to take Smokey and the backpack home.
This year’s winners were Alanna Weed, from Marilyn Schwanke’s class at St Peter Lutheran School; Evan Poltrock, from Jodi Zeichert’s class at Weyauwega Elementary School; and Clare Josie, from Tara Hagman’s class at Weyauwega Elementary School.