To the editor:

Getting together the money for a mission trip to Namibia has been grueling, but between my own contribution, the donations made by friends, family and community members and the money made through the fundraiser and selling T-shirts, I was able to reach my goal of fully funded.

I have so many people to thank that I don’t even know where to start! I want to thank these local businesses for their contributions to the raffle at the fun run: Alvetro Orthodontics, Rachel’s Cakes, Country Closeout Barn, Trackside Treats, Subway, Wendy’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, the Sidney Flower Shop and Shelby Oaks Golf Club. I want to say thank you to each and every person who helped me reach my goal, whether they donated $5 or $100. Asking for money was difficult and not getting it was discouraging, so every time someone donated, even if they could only give me the spare change in their purse, I was so grateful! It means so much to me that people I knew, even just by association, cared enough about me and my mission that they were willing to give, even if it wasn’t much. I want to thank my family members, as well as my close friends, not only for their monetary donations, but for the support and work they put in to assist me reaching my goal.

I’d like to give a special thank you to my youngest sister, Faith, who went above and beyond to help me. Despite the fact she didn’t want me to go, she asked for donations, actively sold T-shirts, told everyone she knew about me, posted about my trip all the time, and worked at the fun run, which she also invited her friends to. My sister, Faith, showed me every day how much she loved me by working so hard to help me, putting my needs over her wish for me to stay, writing me notes of support and so much more. She did so much for me all by herself. I can’t even put into words how much I appreciate it. She was so kind and thoughtful, and I am going to miss her and everyone else I love so much this summer.

Jessica Witer

Anna