Fundraiser held for Nicolet sophomore killed in car crash



PLEASANT PRAIRIE -- Friends, family and strangers came together in Pleasant Prairie on Saturday to raise money for the family of Halee Ludowise-Fischer. The 15-year-old was killed in a car accident in Glendale in November, along with her friend, Jenni Geren.

Lisa Anderson, Charlene Nikolai, and scores of others packed the popular Uncle Mike's Top Shelf Pub in Pleasant Prairie on Saturday, not for drinks, but to help friends in need. "We have a group of friends that have stuck together since high school, and we're here to always support each other," Nikolai said. "This is what friendship is. This is what community is about," Anderson said.

Anderson and Nikolai organized a fundraiser that included a raffle and auction, all in an effort to help out the Ludowise-Fischer family, as they try to cover the costs of the funeral for their 15-year-old daughter, Halee. On November 19th, Ludowise-Fischer and her friend, Geren, were killed after Ludowise-Fischer crashed a car into a pole while fleeing from police.

Despite the sadness that surrounded Saturday's event, Halee's aunt, Becky Ludowise hopes people were able to take something positive away from the accident, as well as the fundraiser. "Halee was an amazing girl, and this just puts people together to remember how amazing Halee was. This makes me feel good, because there's many people out there that are remembering Halee. Because of this, Halee's memory will continue to live on. I want people to remember that one person's action doesn't define their life," Ludowise said.

Halee's friends and family were celebrating something known as "The Dash," from a poem read at Halee's funeral. It's about the time between someone's birth and their death, called "The Dash," which they say they are living now.

If you'd like to donate and help Halee's family, PayPal donations can be sent to ang_ferris@yahoo.com. Donations can also be made at any Johnson Bank, under the Halee Ludowise-Fischer Benefit Fund, or by check, made payable to Halee Ludowise-Fischer Benefit Fund, and mailed to 7403 14th Ave. Kenosha, WI 53143. For more information, visit the fundraiser's Facebook page.