Memorial balloon launch for Chloe

Chloe Plank would have been three years old November 9.  Born with a rare heart condition, doctors initially gave her 48 hours.  Instead, she lived slightly more than two years and touched a wide circle of people.  The memorial  at Mt. Olivet Cemetery Sunday was  not just to remember Chloe on what would have been her third birthday,  but to launch a scholarship fund in her memory.

(Photo by Mary Zielinski)

“There will be at least a $500 scholarship awarded to a Highland graduate next year,” said Shelli Plank, Chloe’s mother.  The criteria is simple, “Someone going into a field where they could make a difference,” she said, noting it could be medical or social areas.  It will be an annual award and eventually the presentation may be done by Addison Plank  (now four months old) in memory of her sister.  Despite cold and wind, 100 people showed up to launch 100 balloons.