Pictured left to right, E-S students Chelsey Knutson and  Shania Urness proudly displayed their memory bags, “Sweet Memories” made for the yearly community service project through FCCLA.  The bags, which were created to help families who have suffered sudden loss of an infant, were delivered to Sacred Heart and Luther Hospitals in Eau Claire on Friday, Feb. 27.  Each memory bag included the following: A personal note, a handmade blanket, chapstick, Kleenex, and a baby clay footprint/handprint kit. Also included were donated items by local businesses: a pen, journal, and a book “The Christmas Box” by Richard Paul Evans.

E-S students create meaningful memory bags for grieving parents

An FCCLA project honors memory of E-S Teachers’ child
“I enjoy helping people, and it seemed like the right thing to do,” Urness said.

By Dana Serum

On Friday, Feb. 27, E-S Senior Chelsey Knutson and Junior Shania Urness accompanied FACE Teacher Stephenie Ebsen to Sacret Heart and Luther Hospital of Eau Claire, to do something all three have been anxious to do for months; to deliver memory bags made by the students, for parents who have suddenly lost an infant after childbirth.
Ebsen and the two girls came up with the idea for their FCCLA community service project after Ebsen shared the story of baby Colin, Ebsens’ first born child who passed away in 2002. Colin passed away only 14 days after birth, from a rare disease called Seracia. Ebsen said she had wanted to do something in his memory for a long time.
“It’s hard to put into words; it’s truly an amazing feeling,” Ebsen said. “I have appreciated it very much.”
Knutson and Urness were excited to be a part of this project, stating it was something new and different to do for their yearly community service project.
“Her story was really heartwarming, very touching,” Knutson said, mentioning many tears were shed after hearing Ebsen’s story. “I really wanted to do this for Mrs. Ebsen; I knew it was something that was really important to her.”
Urness said the project hit close to home for her, a family member also losing a child at infancy.
“I enjoy helping people, and it seemed like the right thing to do,” Urness said.
Together, the three had to start the project by fundraising. They had planned to have a “Biking for Babies” bike race in October, but with school just starting up again it didn’t come together in time. Instead, it was decided to join in on Plan Ahead Events of the Chippewa Valley’s, “Stuff the Sleigh 5K” held on Nov. 22 at Prestige Auto. The E-S group was noted as the biggest group in participation, making up 60-percent of the walk.
“There were 56 participants,” Ebsen said of the race, “It was a slushy, yucky mess.”

All coming together
With the funds raised and a little help from the FCCLA fund, the students began creating their memory bags, which they called “Sweet Memories”. In total, 30 bags were made. Each bag included the following: A personal note, a handmade blanket, chapstick, Kleenex, and a baby clay footprint/handprint kit. Also included were donated items by local businesses: a pen, journal, and a book “The Christmas Box” by Richard Paul Evans.
It was clear on that day of delivery of the memory bags, Ebsen couldn’t have been more pleased.
“My family and I have spent time with other families that have lost an infant. It’s like you go through it all over again,” Ebsen
“It’s an emotional roller coaster. And when October hits, I have a few tough days, but my students are there.”

Competition
On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Knutson and Urness took their FCCLA project to Regional competition at UW-Stout along with other E-S FCCLA students. Knutson and Urness reported on their project in front of judges, displaying a digital portfolio, along with a speech and presentation.
“We made it to state with silver,” Knutson said.
“Everyone learned a lot about planning something of this magnitude,” Ebsen said.
Along with the memory bags project, a total of seven other E-S students made it to state competition in a variety of different presentations and projects, all the way from cake decorating to planning a graduation party.
State will be held at the Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells on April 13-15. If they make it to Nationals, the E-S students will head to Washington D.C.,July 5-9.

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