Light The Way event set to raise money for families in need

FAIRBURY, Neb. -- Fairbury Public Schools hosted a Light The Way event as a way to raise money for families in need. 

Whether it’s families in need with medical bills, transportation issues or other things, the community is coming together to raise money to support those who arestruggling.

“We put candles out in front of the school and they light all the way down to the entrance of the school,” said Aaron Leibel, a teacher at Fairbury Public Schools. “And we do that as a way to raise awareness and what we are doing is raising money for a family in need. Whether that’s medical bills, we’ve helped families with transportation issues.”

The community came out Friday night as Fairbury played Milford in basketball and used the table set out in the lobby as a donation hub. 

“Yeah, we set a donation jar out tonight,” Leibel said. “This is kind of our big night but, obviously, we collect money days after and days before as well.”

The event has been going on for 34 years in Fairbury and it has always been able to raise thousands in support.

“And the teachers and the support staff,” Leibel said. “Everybody gets together and everybody chips in and that’s what makes this event, really really cool. The past few years that we’ve done this, we have raised several thousands of dollars for the families.”

Leibel said that things like this, that bring the community together, is what makes Fairbury such a great place.

“Well, it makes Fairbury a great place to live,” Leibel said. “It shows that it kind pof unites us as a group. As teachers, as families, as churches, as businesses and that’s why I really love this event because it brings us all together and we’re all helping someone else out.”

To donate, you can bring cash or check to any school, as well as the administration building. The schools will collect money up until Dec. 21, or the start of winter break.