Wallace student organizes fundraiser to assist fire victims

Angelica (Angie) Vazquez, 17-year-old junior from Wallace, is always looking for ways to help people, according to family and friends. So when she decided to organize a fund raiser to help those affected by wildfires in Gosper and Furnas Counties, no one was really that surprised.
“She initiated this all on her own. She is just a great kid,” said Wallace High School Principal Bob Braithwait.
Angie said she came up with the idea for the fund raiser after finding out about the situation from her mom and her classmates.
“I just felt heartbroken,” she said. “And I wanted to do something to help.”
She emailed “Mr. B,” as the students call Braithwait, and he helped her get the ball rolling.
With minimal help from Braithwait in getting the word out on social media and to local news organizations, Angie started letting friends and community members know by word of mouth and posters. The donations began coming in immediately.
From canned foods, to household items, to clothing, and bottled water, the items were stored in Mr. B’s office until April 29 when they were delivered personally by Angie, Braithwait, community member Larry Seger, and Angie’s classmates Odalys Nunez-Enriquez, Skyler Kuhlman, Cam McConnell, Kolton Hager and Alec Messersmith. The food items were taken to the food pantry, while the clothing and other items were taken to the Mission Mall thrift store, both in Arapahoe. The students ended up delivering a van load of clothing and more than 1,000 food items, Braithwait said.
Angie said she is not surprised by the generosity of the community and the local grocery store, which has also donated items.
“We have a great community. They are very good at helping out,” she said. “Their response makes me feel really happy, and I just want to tell them thank you for all of their help.”
Angie also said she is very grateful to Mr. B and all of his help.
“I couldn’t have done it without him,” she said.
“Angelica should be extremely proud of what she started, as should the community of Wallace and Wallace School,” Braithwait said. “All three entities have made a tremendous difference in a lot of lives.”
Angie is the daughter of Eduardo Vazquez and Angelica Saenz of Wallace.