WAITSBURG – Parents of Waitsburg Elementary School students have not had to buy school supplies for their kids for the last two years, and high school parents were freed from the burden last year as well.

Thanks goes to the Waitsburg Home and School Association, which has made it a goal to provide everything but a backpack for Waitsburg students.

HASA has raised funds through their annual carnival, a silent auction, and movie nights, but this year they’re trying something new. On Jan. 14, HASA is hosting a Father-Daughter Dance that they hope will be a special time for girls and the father figures in their lives, as well as a fundraiser.

“This is my first year with HASA. and I’ve always wondered about a father dance for my girls,” said HASA President Jaimee Knudson. “The idea came up when we were brainstorming fundraisers. Dad David Long is a DJ and Laisha White is an awesome photographer, and both volunteered to donate their time.”

Knudson added: “We started plugging in the pieces and it all fell into place. We hope to cover the cost of school supplies for all of our students in the district again. It takes quite a bit of money to do so, but it’s been extremely helpful for a lot of families to take that burden off of them,” she added.

HASA is hoping to make the event a truly special evening. The theme is “Winter Wonderland,” and first 50 girls to arrive will receive a rose at the door. All attendees will enjoy an evening of music, treats and dancing. The $15 entrance fee (for the gentlemen only, ladies are free) includes a free keepsake photo from Laisha White Photography.

The dance will take place at the Waitsburg Elementary School from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14. Girls of all ages are invited to attend with the fathers, grandfathers, stepdads, uncles or brothers. Girls do not need to be Waitsburg students to attend this special event.