Unity during tough times

For many years, the Klennert family has been a huge part of the Hayfield community. 
Grant is the High School principal at Hayfield, and his wife Michele is a fifth grade teacher with the district. 
Aside from working for the schools they have found themselves apart of the local community in many ways, including reffing, coaching the academic triathlon team, coaching and being apart of local service organizations. 
That’s why it’s so fitting that the local area communities have been very supportive of the family as they have gone through a difficult time. 
In December, after experiencing back pains, Michele was diagnosed with Ependymoma, which is cancer of the spinal cord.
Since that time, many organizations, including the school, have come together to organize fundraisers for the family. 
The first fundraiser that took place was during a basketball game against Maple River on Jan. 15. During the game, they were able to raise about $6,000 through different raffles and other fun activities. 
The next sign of unity came during the boys basketball game against Blooming Prairie on Feb. 5 where both teams wore matching shirts as a way of showing their support for the family. 
In addition to showing its unity by wearing the same shirts as the Hayfield team, the Blossoms also raised money for the Klennert family through a variety of other ways. The girls basketball team had a cookie sale at its game against Faribault Bethlehem Academy. The girls also wore purple shirts at their game against Hayfield. 
“It was a team effort with both basketball teams and members of our student council,” said Alison Mach, activities director at Blooming Prairie. She noted a number of different kids passed a basketball to raise money for the family. 
For Blooming Prairie, showing its support for the Hayfield community is important. 
After being stricken with tragedy last fall with the loss of Rachel and Emerson Harberts, the Hayfield school district showed its support for Blooming Prairie.Mach explained that returning the favor was important. 
“Our staff and students felt it was important to reciprocate the same kindness towards the Hayfield community as they did for us this past fall,” Mach said. “Our goal as educators has always been to teach our students the importance of not only being great students but great people. We are very proud of our students and staff and the entire community of Blooming Prairie for always stepping up to support other communities,” she added. John Worke, principal of Blooming Prairie High School, echoed the same sentiment. 
“This is just what small schools and communities do. We have experienced a lot of tragedy throughout the years and many of the area schools step up to offer support in many different ways. We do the same when other schools experience tough times.”
There will also be an upcoming fundraiser on Sunday, Feb. 24 from 2-5 p.m. at the Rohler Rink in Brownsdale. 
During the fundraiser, the admission, skate and blade rental will be a free will donation with 100 percent of the proceeds going towards the family. 
At the fundraiser there will also be a raffle along with a tupperware fundraiser with 40 percent of the sales going to support the family.
Chris Pack, the activities director for Hayfield and the organizer of the basketball fundraiser, said that he and the Klennert family are very appreciative of the support that they have received. 
For Grant Klennert, seeing the support that his family has received is special. 
“The support of our communities has been unbelievable,” Klennert said. “This is an incredibly difficult journey and challenge for any family to endure, and we are incredibly grateful, from the bottom of our hearts, to have this many people behind us fighting this battle with us.”
Klennert went on to say, “We have always been a firm believer in the power of small towns, especially Hayfield. To see this generosity and support for us whether in time, talents, fundraisers or prayers has met the world to my family, and we are forever grateful for the actions of our students, parents, and community members in Hayfield and the surrounding areas.”