OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – An Oshkosh West High School student created T-shirts to support the high school resource officer stabbed on the job last month.
The shirts raised more than $10,000.
Officer Mike Wissink decided to give the money to charity.
Oshkosh West junior John Weigand wanted something great to come out of something terrifying.
“He took what was a horrible tragedy, and probably the worst day of all of our lives at Oshkosh West, and really took that and turned it into something positive,” said Oshkosh West principal Erin Kohl.
The #WissinkIsAHero shirts clearly honor the school resource officer’s heroism, even if Wissink wouldn’t say that himself.
“He’s very humble, so he didn’t completely agree with it!” said organizer of the #WissinkIsAHero campaign, John Weigand.
Kohl said it wasn’t a surprise Wissink didn’t want credit for any of the teen’s fundraiser’s success.
“He definitely doesn’t want the attention to be on him,” she said. “But I have heard officer Wissink say a few times that John is a hero.”
Weigand hoped the shirts would unite the community and be a call to stop school violence.
With the rival team donning Oshkosh West blue at last month’s basketball game, that goal seemed to have been accomplished.
“The fact that other schools wanted to be supportive of the school, the staff and the students was amazing,” Cathy Weigand, John Weigand’s mother, said.
The teen brought the idea to a local screen printing shop.
“I couldn’t think of a better thing to help with,” said Dave Pankse of Panske Enterprises screen printing shop in Oshkosh.
The owner was on board immediately and donated the T-shirts.
More than 700 were sold, raising more than $10,000.
“We went from a project that was maybe going to be a few shirts for friends and some kids at school to over 700, which we were never expecting!” Cathy Weigand said.
Wissink chose to give the money away.
His choices? Team Blue Line and the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officers Association Memorial Campground.
As for why those were chosen
“Just the personal connection,” John Weigand said.
Team Blue Line raises money for families of law enforcement officers. Its mission hits close to home for Wissink.
“In officer Wissink’s case, something as little as doing the dishes that he was unable to because of his injuries,” Kimberly Kuehl Zoch of Team Blue Line said. “We purchased the dishwasher and located a plumber who did the install for free, so it goes back to helping in ways like that.”
The two charities were presented the checks Friday afternoon. Each received more than $5,000.
Officer Wissink was present, and met with John and his family but, being the humble person everyone says he is, Wissink didn’t want this to be about him at all and left before FOX 11 got there.
“He’s very grateful for everything, and he’s also very impressed with John and what he did, and for the support of the community,” Lt. Andy Lecker with Oshkosh Police said.
Although not present for the check presentation Friday, Wissink did give a written statement:
“I am so grateful for the outpouring of support from the Oshkosh community, and the incredible success of this fundraiser is truly humbling. John’s leadership, along with Mr. Panske’s generosity, allowed our community to come together and support one another during a time of need. These individuals are my heroes. John is a remarkable young man, and his ingenuity and caring nature show that good, hardworking people can accomplish anything. Mr. Panske’s willingness to give back in a big way shows how important caring individuals and small businesses are to local communities. And all those who participated in the fundraiser shows just how amazing the Oshkosh community is. I also want to express my appreciation for the opportunity to designate the charities that will benefit from this fundraiser. Team Blue Line and the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officers Association Memorial Campground positively impact the lives of law enforcement families and it is an honor to support them. Lastly, on behalf of my family and I, we would like to express our appreciation for the support of so many. Thank you to the entire Oshkosh community and beyond for the cards, gifts, well wishes, and prayers. Thank you for the support you have given to the Oshkosh Police Department, Oshkosh West High School, and the Oshkosh Area School District. And most importantly, thank you to all Oshkosh West students and their families, as well as the Oshkosh West staff, for the unbelievable amount of support we have received. We are so grateful and proud to be a part of the Wildcat family.”
