By Brenda Erdahl:
Math, English, and science weren’t the only subjects 2019 Graduate Gracie Elsenpeter studied during her years at Maple Lake schools. She learned another skill that is just as valuable – how to give.
During high school, Elsenpeter was active in a school-run service group called Irish Mentors. Every year they assembled gift baskets for locals in need during the holidays. Elsenpeter is now a junior at St. Cloud State University and the owner of Gracie Ann Photography, but she hasn’t forgotten those lessons in generosity. Three years ago, Elsenpeter had a sweet idea to start her own Christmas giving fundraiser. Now every December, she, and her “Senior Crew,” a club she formed through her photography business, spends hours in the kitchen baking cookies which they then sell to raise money for their Holly Jolly Giveaway. This year they baked 2,500 Christmas cookies and sold 105 boxes which will allow them to give away seven gift baskets to local families in need this holiday season.
“In high school Irish Mentors, we did baskets, and it was a really fun project. I wanted to do something similar, but different,” she said.
Using social media, she asked followers to nominate a family they thought would benefit from a little generosity this holiday season. This week, Elsenpeter and her “Senior Crew” will deliver those baskets. She said all the families are in Wright County, most within a half hour of Maple Lake. She and her seniors arrange a time to meet the nominator at the nominated family’s house and they try to keep it a surprise for the family.
“It’s really fun to see the smiles,” Elsenpeter said. “Some people aren’t even going to have Christmas this year. It’s fun to bring them some gifts. It’s awesome to see the kids smiling.”
To read more about the Holly Jolly Baskets, pick up a copy of the Messenger today to see this front page article!