BUSHTON — Thanks to the generosity of USD 112 Central Plains Middle School students, the family of one Kinsley-Offerle Elementary School student are having an easier time shouldering the expenses that go hand in hand with chronic medical conditions. 

The class spent a full day before Christmas break creating wood projects, making wood signs and painting jars for an annual fundraiser. A grand total of 80 items were created for raffles. Drawing were held at the following CPMS and CPHS home basketball games: Jan. 14 vs. St. John, Jan. 17 vs. Kinsley, Jan. 21 vs. Victoria in Bushton. The raffle will continue at the Feb. 8 home basketball game at Central Plains High School in Claflin when Central Plains hosts LaCrosse.

The class decided to split the donations, with proceeds raised at the St. John and Kinsley games, totaling over $1,300, donated to Bailey Habiger to help with medical expenses. Money raised at the remaining games will grow the CPMS student activity fund. 

Habiger is a cousin to USD 112 Central Plains fourth-grade teacher Taylor Siemsen. Bailey is a fifth-grade student at Kinsley-Offerle Elementary School. Her parents are Scott and Jill Habiger. She has three siblings: Madison, Jon and Maci. Bailey loves school, stuffed animals, jokes, softball and alfredo pasta. Unfortunately, Bailey was diagnosed with epilepsy two years ago. Since then, her medical expenses, between medications (over $1,000 per month) and specialists, are ever-growing.  

Items made by the students included: three “Oiler Nation” wood signs, six ”Oilers” wood boards, 12 patriotic wooden centerpieces, 12 wooden snowmen, 25 tissue jars and 22 sets of three-jar centerpieces.