As a part of her FCCLA project this year, WSHS Junior, Carissa Scheel is working to help raise funds for the Elsie Mission Midwest Honor Flight.
The Midwest Honor Flight is a mission with the goal of honoring and thanking veterans from South Dakota, Southwest Minnesota, Northwest Iowa, and Northeast Nebraska, by bringing them out to Washington DC at no cost to them. When in Washington DC, they are able to tour all the National Monuments as well as the War Memorials. Their top priority is currently to send WWII and Korean War Veterans and slowly work towards the veterans of more current wars.
The Elsie Mission is a project spearheaded by a freshman in high school who started raising funds as an 8th grader. Her family is in charge of the whole Midwest Honor flight system which includes getting funding and putting people on this Honor Flight. Elsie Doetsch has always wanted to go on an honor flight and her parents told her that if she could raise enough money to send her own flight, then she could go on one. She has been diligent in her fundraising efforts and has been recognized across various media outlets.
“I am building on my project from last year when I organized my Honoring Veterans in Our Community and the Veterans Day Program. When I heard about Elsie’s project, I knew I wanted to help,” says Scheel.
During the home doubleheader basketball game versus Kimball-White Lake, on February 14th, starting at 4 pm, Scheel, with help from fellow FCCLA members, is hosting a Midwest Honor Flight Fundraiser.
Scheel invites the community to attend the event and help her fundraise through a Free-Will Donation supper, Silent Auction, and Sweet’s for your Sweetie Bake Sale. The event features fun for all ages including Pop-a-Shot at half time of the Girls Varsity game and Chuck-a-Duck at half time of the Boys Varsity game.
Having many family members who have served and are currently in the service, honoring veterans is near and dear to Scheel: “I have had a lot of family in the military. My grandpa served in the Army National Guard . I have also had a couple aunts and uncles serve as well as many “greatrelatives” serve as well.”
Scheel feels that continuing to honor and thank the veterans in our community is a small token of gratitude to recognize all they have done.
“They do so much for us even after they have served our country. They come home and do color guard at all the ball games, host a monthly pancake feed, conduct flag retirement ceremonies, and are big supporters of summer teener baseball,” said Scheel. “I am grateful to live in a community that is very supportive of our veterans.”
Scheel’s goal for the project is to help create awareness for the Honor Flight system and try to get more local veterans on the flight.
“We have one going on the Elise flight so far. My hope is to raise enough money to send more of our own veterans. Another part of the project is reaching out and helping veterans apply to go on the Honor Flight,” explained Scheel.
The Midwest Honor Flight is tentatively scheduled for this spring and the exact date will be determined once the entire cost of the flight, $50,000, is raised.
If unable to attend the event on February 14 and wish to donate towards the Midwest Honor Flight, checks can be made out to FCCLA Honor Flight and mailed to PO Box 449 Wessington Springs, SD 57382. For questions about applying for the Midwest Honor Flight, call Carissa Scheel: (605) 3546208.
