Mifflin Park Shines in Maroon: A Heartfelt Community Triumph
By Do It Local Berks | November 2025
A Community Ignited by School Spirit
This fall, Mifflin Park Elementary School transformed into a vibrant sea of maroon as every one of its 550+ students, teachers, and staff received a custom tie-dyed Mifflin Park T-shirt—free of charge. What started as a spark of an idea from Katie Broskey and Heather Brady (Do It Local Berks) exploded into a full-blown celebration of unity, fueled by generous local business sponsors. The result? Unforgettable smiles, twirling hallways, and a reinforced sense of belonging for the entire Mustang family.
These amazing sponsors came together to make this mission a true success! Thank you sponsors!
Inclusion: The True Heart of the Initiative
Principal Melissa Papperella has always championed Mustang pride within the Governor Mifflin School District. Yet, for some families, even modest costs for school apparel can create barriers to participation. A crystal-clear mission was formed: No child left out.
“No student should ever feel excluded from the joy of representing their school,” said Katie Broskey, a passionate GM advocate and local Realtor. “Seeing every face light up in those shirts? That’s the magic we chased—and caught.”
Behind the Scenes: Mifflin Park PTO Steps Up
None of this would have flowed so smoothly without the Mifflin Park PTO (Parent Teacher Organization). This dedicated group of parent and teacher volunteers rolled up their sleeves to sort hundreds of shirts by size and distribute them efficiently to classrooms. Their behind-the-scenes hustle ensured the surprise landed perfectly, turning logistics into pure delight. A huge shout-out to the Mifflin Park PTO—your energy made the magic happen!
More Than T-Shirts: A Legacy of Giving Back
For Katie, this project is personal. A former business education teacher at Governor Mifflin High School and a current parent at Mifflin Park (where her daughter attends), she pours her heart into the community she calls home.
Her year-round impact includes:
• An annual Diaper Drive for Mary’s Shelter
• USA-themed client events raising funds for Veterans Making a Difference
• Donating a portion of real estate commissions to local nonprofits, PTO events, classroom supplies, Mifflin sports teams, and clubs
“I love this community, and giving back is simply who I am,” Katie said.
The Moment It All Came Together
Distribution day was electric. Hallways buzzed with laughter as students slipped into their tie-dye masterpieces. Teachers and staff joined the fun, beaming in matching maroon.
“The love, togetherness, and pride radiating through our school is inspiring,” Principal Papperella reflected. “We’re deeply grateful to our local business sponsors, our dedicated PTO, and especially Katie Broskey & Heather Brady (Do It Local Berks) for making this collaboration mission possible. Our school encourages our students to rock their maroon and gold weekly, and these shirts make it possible for each and every student to participate!”
The Berks Spirit in Action
This initiative captures the essence of Do It Local Berks: forging bonds between businesses and neighbors, sparking joy through collaboration, and proving kindness scales.
At Mifflin Park, the proof is in the hallways—strong school spirit declaring loudly and proudly: Everyone belongs. Everyone matters. Everyone is Mustang proud.
