SYRACUSE - This winter the Wawasee High School Student Representative Council is holding the first annual Winterfest For Riley. This year the council is interested in sending money to Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis because of two tragedies that affected the Wawasee Community.
The money will be sent in the names of two WCSC family members. The money will be sent to the Makenna Van Laeken Liver Research fund and to the general fund in the name of Kayla Courtney.
Cheryl and Mike VanLaeken's daughter Makenna lived only six weeks. They have established a fund at Riley's to benefit infant liver research. Cheryl teaches fifth grade at Milford.
Kayla was in an automobile accident in early January. She was in ICU several week at Riley, and is now in a "step down" room, but her hospital stay remains open-ended as the injuries she received have a long recovery time.
Students are selling basketballs during lunch and at all varsity basketball games.
These small basketballs are $1 each and you can buy any amount. All the balls will contain the donor's name and/or a personal message to Kayla. Kayla will receive these balls at the end of the fundraiser.
In addition, the senior guys have formed a team to play against members of the WCSC faculty and staff on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at WHS. There will be cheerleaders, coaches, and fun at the breaks. Everyone will pay $3 to come and support the Riley Winterfest.
Another part of the fundraiser is the crowning of the Winterfest king and queen.
Money will be raised by each candidate as they vie for the crown. The king and queen will be recognized immediately prior to the boys varsity contest Feb. 20.
Basketballs for Kayla can also be purchased at Wednesday's basketball game.
