It was ten years ago, Randy, Ruth and John Reimer had to pick up the mantle after Kaitlyn Reimer breathed her last breath at age 15. Katie Cares was a charity started by Kaitlyn before she passed away. She left a board, a vision for the future and a slogan to See it, Believe it, Achieve it.
Ten years after her passing, her charity has maintained the Beanie Baby program, providing Beanie Babies for children in the hospital and for those who receive their vaccinations, it has supported families whose children are diagnosed with cancer, it has built Katie's Cottage respite home, written a children's book, "Love Like Katie" and carried on its largest fundraiser, the Katie Cares Fashion Show, returning this past Saturday, after two cancelled years.
CEO of Katie Cares and Kaitlyn's mom, Ruth Reimer, said the return to the stage was surreal.
"My granddaughter started the fashion show. She is turning six this year, and that's the same age as Katie's Cottage. So, I look at Katie's Cottage as a 6-year-old now, and getting stronger and braver and more independent. She's growing up. She's not a baby anymore. It's hard to describe that, but that's the feeling I have when I see Katie's Cottage, and where it's come and where it is today."
Momentum Aerial and Acrobatic Troupe returned to the stage. Reimer noted, "They outdid themselves."
The Bare Yogis were also back to play music for the models walking the catwalk in clothes and accessories from nine local clothing companies, and volunteers served meat, cheese and cupcakes to 400 guests who were happy to be back to support the work of Katie Cares.
"I think we had the best silent auction prizes we have ever had. The community support from businesses, from Altona, to Pilot Mound, to Carman, and all points in between, gave from their hearts to make this silent auction the success it was tonight."
With 400 tickets sold, and 37 Silent Auction combined prizes, $40,000 was raised. "With more coming in," Reimer added. She said it was a community effort to make the night such a big success.
"You have the committee; you have the volunteers. The volunteers that are set up. There are the volunteers that get plating ready, there's the volunteers that do the photography, there's the volunteers that tear down the evening, and NPC students and staff who allow us to come into their school. I can't say enough thanks or gratitude to each person that's been involved with this evening."
There were tears shed on stage, as both Randy and Ruth reflected on the ten years without the girl behind the dream, Kaitlyn. Reimer shared what she thought Kaitlyn would've said about Saturday night's Fashion Show, knowing how much she enjoyed getting dressed up and going out with her mom or dad on special nights.
"She loved nothing more than to be able to enjoy life. She would have loved Momentum, she would have loved the food, but more importantly, she would have liked the community that is in that room. The community that says we believe in what you have put down, the foundation of Katie Cares, we believe in that. In turn, she always wanted to give back whoever was part of this."
Reimer said the foundation of giving back, and to See it, Believe it, Achieve it, is the beauty of the whole charity, to help your neighbour in their time of need.
You can go to the Katie Cares website to learn more about Kaitlyn and the work of Katie Cares.
