Published: Dec. 15, 2016
12 Days of Christmas offers the gift of giving
KML program is in its 7th year
ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043
Seven years ago, Kettle Moraine Lutheran’s Randy Hughes, pastor of Student Life, wanted to be realistic.
He couldn’t get past the look in his students’ eyes when they came up with this idea called 12 Days of Christmas.
He, along with the staff, students and supporters of KML, are grateful they went with it.
This is the seventh year of the program spearheaded by KML’s Student
Council and National Honor Society. The goal is to collect money through
student involvement to support families in need.
“As far as participation, the only thing that’ll trump it is
Homecoming,” KML senior Aaron Vandermus said. “All of us get involved in
one way or another.”
This year, three families were selected as eventual beneficiaries to the fundraising efforts of KML’s students and churches.
The families chosen were the Webers of West Bend, the Craigs of West Bend and the Poehlmans of Lannon.
The Craig family’s house burned down and they lost all their belongings.
The Poehlman family’s dad unexpectedly passed away at the age of 42.
And in the Weber family, the mom is battling a brain tumor, the dad has diabetes and their daughter has juvenile arthritis.
“We do go to Lutheran school, so a lot of students are looking for
ways to show their faith and give back to other people,” Vandermus
said. “It’s an easy way to implement what we’ve learned.”
Hughes added he consistently hears from families who were aided by KML’s efforts and thanks them for it and lets them know how they’re doing since.
A program like this has sentimental meaning for Hughes.
More than 20 years ago, his then-2-year-old daughter had liver cancer.
The medical bills were quickly adding up. But Hughes was raised with
the mentality to do things himself.
Living in Minnesota at the time, he recalled a conversation he had
with someone who wanted to help the family but Hughes declined the
help. That person was mad, claiming Hughes was selfish for not allowing
people the opportunity to take part in the gift of giving.
That comment struck him and he graciously accepted the assistance from all who wanted to help.
“I didn’t want to rob anyone the gift of giving,” Hughes said.
It wasn’t long until the community raised $50,000 for Hughes and his family.
Today, his daughter is 27, a cancer survivor and a physician assistant.
Since then, the Hughes family do what they can to help, just like someone did for them.
“It did phenomenal things for us,” Hughes said.
Fast-forward to seven years ago: A former KML staff member was called
to serve as a principal at a school in Nebraska, but later passed away
at age 44, leaving behind a wife and five kids.
The KML students wanted to help and they came up with the idea of a
12 Days of Christmas program where they’d do several fundraisers in the
course of 12 school days, collecting as much money or gifts as possible
and present them to families in need.
Hughes was hesitant of the idea, but only for one reason: timing.
He recalled looking at his watch and seeing it was Nov. 29. He knew they had only a few days to get everything together before the semester ran out.
“My gut reaction was, ‘We can’t do this,’” Hughes said. “It takes too much organization.”
Then his mind was changed.
“I looked at the kids’ eyes. They were filled with excitement,” he said.
In that first year, $1,500 was raised. The students, teachers and supporters of KML haven’t looked back since.
“From there it kept growing exponentially,” Hughes said. “Last year,
we collected almost $33,000 for three families over the 12 days.”
Each year, Hughes reminds his students that the money raised should
not be used as a barometer for the success or failure of their efforts.
It just so happens in each year, the students outdo themselves from
the year before.
In the program’s second year, $7,000 was raised, then $16,000, then $23,000.
“Those families will be thankful with whatever they can get,” Hughes said.
This year, some of the fundraising activities included candy cane
sales, penny wars, faculty servant, stocking auctions, student servant
and a bake sale.
Also,
Vandermus said one day before school started, a student stood at the
foot of the driveway leading into KML’s parking lot and asked anyone
driving in to toss change into a garbage can. He estimated the can to be
at least 10 gallons.
The fundraising effort filled about a quarter of the can.
“I can’t believe how many students get involved,” Hughes said.
If the public wishes to participate, they can donate online or by mail. To do so, visit KML’s website, www.kmlhs.org.
Donations will be accepted until Dec. 31.
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