Katelyn Heitert, senior, has been raising money for animal shelters since 2022, but it’s not her love for animals that motivates her. It’s her love for her friend Rhegan Sajben, who passed away in a car accident on Nov. 14, 2021.
After Sajben’s death, those close to her wanted to find a way to celebrate her birthday, Feb. 24, and her love for animals.
“[Rhegan’s] mom and my mom thought of raising money for a different animal shelter every year, donating all the money on a big check, and then volunteering the day of the donation,” Heitert said.
This idea turned into the annual PAWS for Rhegan fundraiser, held by Sajben’s friends and family throughout February.
Heitert was one of Sajben’s close friends and is involved in the fundraiser each year. She raises money with seniors Annie Dill, Kaitlyn Hobart, Mary Risley, Aubrey Roux, Madison Swehla and Alaina Westhoff. The girls became friends with Sajben during preschool and elementary school and now work to spread the word about the fundraiser by posting it on their social media.
Rhegan’s mother, Gayla Sajben, selects a different shelter to donate the money to each year. This year, the shelter is the Granite City APA. Laura Heitert, Katelyn’s mother, then creates and launches the GoFundMe at the beginning of February.
Laura said she aims to get as much exposure to the chosen shelter as possible.
“We think it is important for donors to see how much good their donation does,” Laura said.
The fundraiser raised $5,399 in 2022 and $5,563 in 2023. This year’s goal is $6,000, and as of Feb. 23, $6,465 has been raised. The fundraiser will close at the end of February.
At that point, Rhegan’s group of friends and their mothers will go to the Granite City APA to present a check with all of the money raised. In previous years, they have also taken items that the shelters may need, including towels, blankets and pet food.
Aubrey Roux, senior, attends St. Joseph’s Academy and enjoys seeing how the money raised in Rhegan’s honor will be used.
“It is a very heartwarming and inspiring experience to see the impact this check has on the daily workers at the shelter,” Roux said. “Every time we volunteer at the shelters we have so much fun together and love helping the animals there.”
