By Jacob Nielson / Mitchell Republic
A community gathered Tuesday night to support a family in mourning.
Hundreds of people filtered through the Wessington Springs Elementary cafeteria for a fundraising event for the Carothers family. Their 12-year-old daughter, Reba, died Monday, days after she was struck by a car while trying to board a school bus on Jan. 26.
The fundraiser, which involved a dinner, a silent auction and a 50-50 raffle, began before the Wessington Springs, Wolsey-Wessington varsity basketball game that took place in the adjacent gym.
The event, originally planned while Reba was in the hospital, went forward with all the proceeds going to the Carothers family.
“They're members of our community,” said PTO member Ryan Jensen, who helped organize the fundraiser. “And Wessington Springs takes care of our community and people of our community."
On hand was Reba’s older brother, Raymond, and his wife, Kylie. The couple have a daughter the same age as Reba, and had a unique sibling relationship with her.
“They were in the same grade,” Kylie said. “She was pretty much my baby.”
Raymond and Kylie fought through emotions as they spoke about their sister.
“She loved to draw, loved to dance, and loved to listen to weird music. She was always smiling. Just a 12-year-old girl that loved everything,” Raymond said.
“She was bright, just colorful,” Kylie said.
Raymond said Reba moved to Wessington Springs with their mother four years ago. Originally home-schooled, she began going to public school two years ago. The transition was difficult at first, but had a blast interacting with the other kids once she got used to the change.
Being best friends with her niece certainly helped.
“They spent every night on the phone together and doing homework, talking about boys,” Raymond said.
The Carothers family reiterated their gratitude toward the community for their support and stood in the cafeteria and watched as the townsfolk came in.
People moved between the auction tables, bidding on different items such as desserts, toys and hand-made products.
People stood in line for pork sandwiches, dropping donations into a bin, then sitting at tables to eat dinner.
There was a touch of reverence, with individuals warmly embracing one another, and people who knew the Carothers family respectfully approached them to offer condolences.
During the varsity game, the school announced the winner of the 50-50 auction. The person with the winning ticket immediately donated the money back to the Carothers family.
Additionally, it was determined that 50 percent of funds earned from a previously held “pennies for PTO” event would go to the Carothers family.
"We all come together in times like this," Jensen said. "Support each other. That's what we're doing.”
It was a moment for the school, community and family to mourn the tragic loss of one of their children.
“Definitely one of a kind,” Raymond said of Reba. “Always going to be loved and missed.”
