Brookings S.D. (KELO AM) - Finding new ways to raise money for children is an ongoing mission for Jade Possail.
Recently, the South Dakota State University senior came up with the idea of engraving Miracle Children's handwritten thank you messages to Children's Miracle Network on coffee mugs and selling them to raise money.
The advertising and apparel merchandising double major began fundraising for CMN in 2011 when she was named Miss Eastern Plains at the Miss SDSU pageant.
Possail's fundraising efforts continued in 2012 while she served as Miss Lake Alvin, and now Miss S.D. State Fair 2013.Pink, orange, blue and green Miracle Mugs will be available Feb. 14 for $15 on Possail's Miss S.D. State Fair 2013 Facebook page and at Choco Latte in Brookings. Possail and the Miracle Children will host a meet and greet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 15 at Choco Latte—where the Miracle Mug idea was sparked.
"I walked in one day and Donna Behrend (the owner) handed me a cup of coffee, and said 'Here, I hope it inspires you.' Not even 10 minutes later, I thought of the Miracle Mug idea," said Possail.
"I love the idea of being an entrepreneur. Donna is a local businesswoman who has a zest for life that we can all learn from."The South Dakota Wheat Commission sponsored the cost of the mugs and Huron Regional Medical Center sponsored the tag costs. All proceeds will go directly to Children's Miracle Network.
"Sometimes people may not know exactly what their money does," said Possail. "It could go to the family for gas, hotel rooms, medical equipment and treatments, or activities for their other children. CMN helps pay for all those things, and the money South Dakotans donate stays in the state."After graduation, Possail wants to advertise for a global nonprofit.
"I love to fundraise for a good cause, and it would be great to work for Children's Miracle Network in the future," she said. As for pageants, Possail will compete for the title of Miss South Dakota in June.