To the Editor:

My family has personally experienced what the prayers and support of an amazing community can do. I have also watched this remarkable community come together during the unthinkable horror of two of our students being kidnapped and one murdered. Another tragedy has recently struck the Southeast Webster-Grand community. While coming home from baby-sitting Sunday morning on Oct. 27, Emma Kiefer, a senior at SW-G, was critically injured when another vehicle allegedly ran a stop sign and T-boned the driver side of her car. She was Lifeflighted to Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines and has been in intensive care since. Her parents are Mark and Angie Kiefer, of Lehigh.

This energetic and vivacious 17-year-old and her family have touched so many lives that the community is holding a benefit in Emma’s honor at the Webster County Fairgrounds in the East Auditorium of the 4-H building on Saturday, Nov. 23. The doors will open at 4 p.m. with a freewill donation dinner starting at 5 p.m. There will be a silent auction from 4 to 7 p.m. and a live auction starting at 5 p.m. There are many celebrity items and donated goods to be auctioned.

Emma has been involved in many activities including mentoring, 4-H rabbits, National Honor Society and golf. Her mother Angie is the school secretary at Dayton and is one of the most generous and unselfish people I have had the privilege of knowing. She is always the one that is finding out what people need and makes sure it gets done. She is the person who has spearheaded many of the past benefits in the community. Emma’s father, Mark, even shaved his head in support of another SW-G student who had brain surgery to remove a tumor. They are both also 4-H leaders.

As you can see this family is without a doubt extraordinary. Emma and the Kiefer family have many challenges facing them. They are a strong family and their faith during this experience has only made them stronger; but, they need the prayers and support of our larger community. I am asking you to please consider coming to the benefit on Saturday.

JoAnn Lennon

Duncombe