MILWAUKEE -- Thousands of Wisconsin students will be starting the school year with extra supplies thanks to a surprise donation from former U.S. Senator Herb Kohl.

Herb Kohl Philanthropies, the charitable arm of Kohl's business operations, announced Tuesday morning that the senator has funded every Wisconsin request on the educational crowdfunding website DonorsChoose.org.

Here's how the website works: Teachers post projects requesting materials that they need for their classrooms, and donors from across the country can decide which projects to fund at the amount that works for them.

Every Wisconsin project on the website as of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, nearly 700 across 140 districts, was funded. That amounts to about 600 teachers and 43,000 students who will now have better access to things like hygiene items, paper, pencils, books, laptops, musical instruments, and microscopes.

“Wisconsin’s educators are constantly seeking innovative ways to reach students and improve learning outcomes. I would like to personally thank Herb Kohl for his recognition of the importance of that work and for his willingness to help turn the dreams of those educators and students into realities,” said Dr. Tony Evers, State Superintendent of Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction.

According to a news release from Herb Kohl Philanthropies, the senator posted a message on each funded project, letting teachers know they were part of the surprise.

“We are deeply grateful for Herb Kohl's commitment to Wisconsin classrooms," said Charles Best, founder of DonorsChoose.org. "His generous surprise will be so helpful as teachers and students kick off the new school year."