by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
‘A “Hillbilly Hoedown” will take place starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 11 at Grands at Mulligans as a fundraiser in memory of BriAnna Kruzel of Sartell, who died suddenly on Sept. 28, 2013, after collapsing in her bedroom.
The event in Sartell will feature music by a radio deejay and by local singer Kelly Cordes, an 8:30 p.m. dinner, a silent auction and door prizes.
Since BriAnna’s untimely death, her parents Randy and Tami, friends and other supporters created a non-profit dubbed “What Would Bri Do?,” which raises funds for the programs and causes to which BriAnna was so dedicated.
So far, the organization has donated $28,000 to groups and individuals, including sound systems for the community-education dance program and for the Girl Scouts, scholarships for Sartell High School and Big Brothers Big Sisters, and many other smaller organizations.
The largest donation to date has been for the Angel of Hope statue that was installed by Lake Francis in south Sartell late last year, a memorial place for people who have lost young loved ones.
This year, WWBD hopes to raise $12,000 to provide Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Minnesota with a security system, a phone system and activity bins to place in schools for the school-based program.
Kruzel was an avid volunteer for BBBS and was named Big Sister of the Year for 2013. She was also active in dance and in the Girl Scouts.
For more information, go to the “What Would Bri Do?” website at http://wwbdinc.org.
BriAnna Kruzel
