Kremer project raises over $17k

Grace Kremer, a senior from Custer High School, hosted an anti-human trafficking event April 17 with guest speakers, followed by a live benefit auction. Between free will donations and the live auction she raised over $17,000 for a safe house for minor girls that have been rescued from sex trafficking.
Kremer held her senior project at Fork Real Café in Rapid City and hosted guest speakers to talk about human trafficking. Afterwards there was a benefit auction that raised money for Esthers Rising, a safe house for sex trafficking victims that helps rehabilitate them into society.
Kremer has been planning this event for four months in her senior projects class. Senior projects is a class for seniors at Custer High School that is required to graduate. Each senior has to create a project that positively influences the community.
“With my project I wanted to actively include the community, raise awareness and help a small business,” Kremer said.
She chose Esthers Rising because it is a safe home for girls under 18 that have been victims of sex trafficking and she really likes the rehabilitation aspect of it.
Kremer states that her “goal with the guest speakers was to make people cry so they would leave with it heavy on their hearts to make change and be vigilant. And my speakers did exactly that.”
Kremer had Hollie Strand, a computer forensic examiner for the Pennington County Police Department, and two other women with backgrounds in sex trafficking prevention speak against human trafficking.
Kremer adds that she’s “still working with the Doterra Healing Hands program to raise even more money for Esthers Rising. They have agreed to match all donations and funds raised up to $15,000!”
Kremer went to local businesses around the Black Hills and asked for donations from Black Hills Family Meats, Rustic Lady Designs, Doc and Alice, Sylvan Rocks, Kremer Buffalo, Mountain Sage Massage, Elks Theater and several individuals. Donations included gift cards, discovery rock climbs and bison meat.
Kremer worked closely with Strand and Katy Kinnan as her mentors for this project. She gives much thanks to them for helping her with everything behind the scenes.
“This event could not have gone any better,” Kremer said. “It was so much better than I ever expected and was a great learning experience. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity!”