Every year, for the past several years, the Harrison Elementary first-graders have gone to the Winona Lake Park for their year-end field trip. The field trip was the idea of Harrison Elementary first-grade teacher, Renae Garber. Garber lost a 6-month battle to melanoma on March 21, 2014.

Winona Lake Parks Director Holly Hummitch approached Rebekah Allebach — daughter of Mrs. Garber — and the other Harrison Elementary first-grade teachers with the idea of a balloon launch in Garber’s honor. “Mrs. Garber was an amazing lady. Her contagious smile and love for life infected everyone around her. I am blessed to have known her,” said Hummitch.

During this year’s field trip to the park, held on Friday, Harrison School Principal Lee Snider said a few words and held a moment of silence before the balloons were launched in Garber’s memory.