Pella High School’s student council presented a check to a fellow classmate in need of a service dog.

Kaelie De Heer and her family received $3000 at a ceremony this morning. De Heer is a student at Pella High School who has cerebral palsy, which has limited her mobility. Student Council Member Ethan Vance says students helped organize fundraisers at concession stands and Pizza Ranch to collect the money.

De Heer’s mother Tina Uitermarkt expressed great appreciation for the Pella community and the students for their support in getting a service dog for Kaelie, as the money will push them past their $14,000 goal.

“We started fundraising last fall around the end of November, so to reach our goal by the first part of March is pretty outstanding for us,” she says.

They will begin training a dog through Domesti-PUPS this June. Uitermarkt says the next step in the process is securing a fence for the service dog and to cover veterinary expenses. A silent and live auction fundraiser will be held at the Pella Opera House on Saturday, March 17th from 7 to 9:30 p.m. and the Leighton Lions Club will hold a fundraising breakfast from 6:30 to 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 31st at Leighton Christian Reformed Church.

Hear more about the fundraising effort on tomorrow’s Let’s Talk Pella.