More than 75 million people volunteer annually in the United States. But one volunteer within the Luxemburg-Casco School District is making a significant impact on its students through his singular efforts.

Meet Lane Trimberger, a district parent on long-term disability for the past seven years with back and neck injuries incurred from overuse during a 21-year career building fire trucks for Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton. The repetitive nature of his work during workdays of 12-16 hours at Pierce took a physical toll.

Not wanting to sit around the house, he began helping with the Luxemburg-Casco football team during its 2023 season, when the Spartans advanced to the state title game and other volunteer activities within the high school.

Starting last fall, Trimberger began volunteering 3-4 days weekly at L-C Intermediate School. His activities range from helping in classrooms and the lunchroom to filling in as a crossing guard to mentoring students, particularly those who might be experiencing a hard day. He often serves as a liaison between teachers and students.

Trimberger finds great fulfillment in his volunteer work, saying, “I wanted to find something that I could do physically. The district is helping me because I need to be mobile, especially in the winter. They were willing to help me, and I was willing to help them.”

An increasingly significant aspect of his volunteer activities is spending time with individual students, especially those who are struggling. His success with those students has caught the attention of Intermediate School Principal Heather Mleziva.

“What really stands out is how much Lane supports the students who need it the most,” says Mleziva. “He has become the go-to person for several students who need a little extra encouragement, someone to help them stay on track, or just someone to listen and help figure out solutions to their problems. Lane checks in regularly with four or five students and spends quality time with them. It’s clear that he has a profound impact on each of them.

“One student in particular has developed a strong bond with Lane, and he plays a crucial role in helping this student stay on task. The relationship they’ve built is so strong that the student now eagerly looks forward to seeing Lane and often asks if he will be at school that day. This bond highlights the real difference Lane is making in the lives of the students he works with.”

Trimberger explains that he grew up “on a very different path,” without a person he could relate to or talk to. He finds tremendous satisfaction in serving in this role for many L-C students.

“I had to redefine myself after I hurt my back,” he says. “My greatest reward is to just sit with a kid and help them out.”

While it may be rewarding for him to help students, Mleziva sees a bigger impact on many Intermediate School students.

“Lane serves as a positive role model for our students, especially those who struggle emotionally. He provides them with the encouragement and support they need. He’s always ready with a pep talk, motivating them to stay focused and do their best work. His willingness to go the extra mile and make a real difference in students' lives is something truly special.”

As a district parent, Trimberger is familiar with the district's four schools. Originally from Sheboygan, he and his wife, Trina, an L-C graduate, moved to the district in 2013. Their two daughters, Cassidy and Cadence, graduated from Luxemburg-Casco High School in 2020 and 2022, respectively, and their son, Mason, is currently a junior.

Mleziva appreciates everything Trimberger does – from handling everyday tasks to his overtly positive attitude that rubs off on others to his large-scale impact on students.

“Lane is an amazing person,” she says. “I’ve honestly never met anyone as positive and inspiring as him. He cares so much about the students in the intermediate school and throughout the district, and we’re lucky that he’s willing to volunteer with us. In just a few months, he’s already greatly impacted so many students.

“He also is the definition of a team player. He’s always ready to help out with whatever is needed and consistently looks for more ways to pitch in – whether it’s tasks like printing, cutting, organizing, or filing, he takes care of it all without hesitation.”

Trimberger admits that at the end of many school days, it is hard for him to walk and that he needs to go home and rest his back, but his reward is the feeling that he accomplished something that day.

“My volunteer work is such a great bridge for me,” he says. “I don’t have to do a lot physically – I just have to be there for a kid.”

It’s safe to say that Trimberger’s presence is much more impactful than “just being there.” How does one person make a difference? That's how we turn the negative situation of disability into a positive impact on Luxemburg-Casco students.