What started as a search for a mentor became a global mission for Wessington Springs High School senior Ella Fagerhaug.
Fagerhaug learned about Anchor of Hope Haiti after reaching out to local volunteer Ann Scheel, who has long supported the organization’s work with children in Haiti.
“I learned about how hard the children have it over in Haiti and I wanted to help to try to make a positive difference,” Fagerhaug said.
Although many of her classmates chose local causes for their senior projects, Fagerhaug felt called to look farther from home.
“The biggest reason I chose this project was because there are so many people in my class,” she said. “Yes, giving back to the community is very important, however, so many people were already doing this and I wanted to help make a big impact on other people.”
Her fundraiser was held during a home basketball doubleheader on Jan. 8 and included a soup supper, bake sale, quilt auction, and 50/50 raffle. Fagerhaug estimates she served between 150 and 175 people that night.
“The biggest challenge was deciding what the fundraiser event should be,” she said. “I chose a smaller basketball game, but I still wanted to raise as much as I could.”
One of the highlights of the evening was the quilt auction. Fagerhaug and her grandmother sewed the quilt together, with Jean Scheel donating her time to finish the quilting. The quilt was won by Charlie and Darlene Bergeleen.
“Seeing everything come together and having the event run smoothly was my favorite part of the night. It was relieving to have it go better than I expected.”
Through the project, Fagerhaug said her perspective has changed.
“I have realized that my problems aren’t so bad compared to what others have to go through,” she said.
She hopes the community took something meaningful from the event.
“I hope that they see what is going on in Haiti and, if anything, try to become aware and appreciative of what we have.”