SESSER (WSIL) -- A Sesser woman used her business to help the high school and junior high basketball programs earn money for new uniforms.
Debra Wilson started opened her business, Debra K's Catering, in April of 2020. When the Sesser-Valier junior high and high school basketball teams needed her help, she answered the call. The group organized a fish fry fundraiser for the Spring and sold about 500 tickets for a carry-out dinner on Good Friday. A week before the event, the person who was responsible for preparing the dinners, due to unforeseen circumstances, could no longer do the cooking.
Head Basketball Coach Shane Garner, unsure of what to do next, reached out to Debra, hoping she could help, and she didn't hesitate.
"I had no idea what I was in for, didn't have a clue, but I knew the school needed help, and they reached out, and I said absolutely. Being Sesser-Valier alumni, you bet I'm going to help that school, so we did, said Debra.
She ordered all the products and prepared the meals, and never charged a dime. Debra called it a family affair since her husband and daughter helped prepare about 5,000 pieces of fish, hush puppies, and fries.
"People need to know it's that type of people, who are out here in this community, that we are extremely grateful for, and that people are still out there doing great things for other people, and especially kids," said Coach Garner.
The team and their parents also helped that day, passing out the dinners as cars went by to get their meals. Coach Garner said he would love to work with Debra for future fundraising events. He said he hopes her business will always be a success because of her kindness.
"When people do good things for people, that's what this is about," added Garner.
Garner said the team was able to get new uniforms with the money they raised.
