Hutchinson Students Gear Up For We Day Minnesota

HUTCHINSON, Minn. (WCCO) -- With Minnesota's first We Day less than a week away, students all over the state are getting ready for the star-studded event.

About 18,000 students will pack the Xcel Center on Oct.8, and they've all earned their ticket by being of service to others.

WCCO-TV was at Hutchinson High School on Wednesday, where students there are in a program called REACH. The school held a fundraiser called "Spooky Sprint," which actually aims to support the REACH program. Proceeds from the event, which features more than 500 runners, go to assist students who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford to go to college.

There's also a fundraiser planned for a 7-year-old in the area who has cancer, and about a year ago a resident lost their house in a fire. That prompted students to donate items to help the family get back on their feet.

Students there said they have support on a daily basis, and it's a nice feeling to help somebody else in need.

Chad Harlander is the coordinator for the REACH program at Hutchinson High School. He said the students there are committed to the program and to changing the world in whatever way they can. Harlander said 70 students from Hutchinson will head to Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul for We Day Minnesota next Tuesday.