Since May, Kim Haeg has been raising funds for a 10-year reunion for Southold High school’s Class of 2004 — and after hours of planning, the big night has arrived.
The reunion will take place Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Soundview Restaurant on Route 48 in Greenport. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased at the door.
“I’m so excited on this day that the Southold High School Class of 2004 10-year reunion is finally here,” Haeg said Saturday. “It’s been a long six months and I’ve put a lot effort in this to make this the best and the most memorable first reunion ever.”
Haeg was a high school senior filled with dreams for her future and excited about college — until a tragic car accident left her near death and a quadriplegic who never got to graduate with her classmates.
In addition to utilizing funds of her own to make the reunion “fantastic”, Haeg, now 28, kicked off a Go Fund Me page to help raise funds for the 10-year reunion. “It was a huge success, and I’d like to thank everyone who donated,” she said. “And my nurses who put in a lot of hard work to be my hands, and had fun with me doing it. They did a outstanding job and I couldn’t ask for more. I’m so grateful for all I have.”
In addition, Haeg said a long line of volunteers are helping Saturday to setting up and buy last minute necessities. “Now it’s my time to kick back, get my hair done, get dressed up, get over there and manage what’s going on. Time to party.”
When she set up the Go Fund Me page, which raised $500, Haeg said the reunion was special, because it was the first reunion, celebrating ten years. “Also it means a lot to me because I almost didn’t make it to graduate. I could have died. Instead, I’m here enjoying as much as I can and I would like to enjoy a nice reunion, especially for my memories.”
For Haeg, the fundraising mission was critical. “The reason we don’t have any money from high school is because my class used most of it all to throw a fundraiser for me when I was in the hospital. We have a really close class and I would love to see everybody reunite and just have a good night together.”
This year, Haeg passed the ten-year mark of her devastating accident. See related SoutholdLOCAL story.
Yet despite the challenges, Haeg finds hope and optimism. “Today I am grateful I’m alive and love the people who have come into my life after this accident. And the ones who have stuck by me through everything since. It’s a different life than we ever expected but we have learned not only to survive but to live and enjoy each day. Please remember to appreciate what you have and don’t take for granted the little things in life, like taking a breath of fresh air.”
