Educators Rising members receiving a donation from Harrisburg Optimist Club rep Adam Walsh along with CARE for Harrisburg project coordinators (L to R): Anders Clayton, Chris Behrens, Walsh, and Kami Rasmusson
It’s the time of year for holiday cheer and festive treats. However, accidents and house fires do not stop during “the most wonderful time of the year”. Harrisburg resident Kami Rasmusson created the CARE for Harrisburg project in partnership with the Harrisburg Community Fire Department to help those displaced by fires or other accidents in the community after witnessing neighbors deal with the reality of a house fire. Rasmusson’s vision was shared at the November meeting of the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce where plans were put in action to coordinate a donation drive facilitated by HHS Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs): DECA, Educators Rising, FCCLA, FFA, and HOSA with assistance from Anders Clayton, aspiring fireman, and HHS intern.
HHS learners, staff, and community members were invited to donate items to support the HCFD when they are called to house fires or accidents with hopes they would be able to provide necessary items for the first 48 hours after an incident to help those displaced or injured. Chris Behrens, HCFD President noted, “donations will be distributed to families and children as needed for a sense of comfort and support if a tragedy were to happen”.
With the help of the CTSOs, Anders Clayton, along with the generosity of the HHS community, donations were collected over two days for a grand total of 266 items including diapers, coloring books, games, stuffed animals, flashlights, and other comfort items. Educators Rising was supported with 144 donations, which earned them bragging rights, a traveling trophy, and a $100 donation from the Harrisburg Optimist Club, represented by Adam Walsh, to further their initiatives as a thank you for their support of the CARE for Harrisburg project.
Rasmusson had high praise for the learners, “I'm thrilled that the community has come together to really support this project. The additional assistance of Anders, Educators Rising, and all the other CTSOs is inspiring. With the students' help, we have created a supply that has put us over our goal. I'm proud of the students for their recognition of community need and initiative to help”.
Additional donations are still being collected from local businesses in support of the CARE for Harrisburg project. The greatest need is gift cards or coupons for gas and/or groceries. If individuals or businesses would like to donate contact Kami Rasmusson, kamrin.rasmusson@gmail.com, or Chris Behrens to make arrangements.