Feb. 24 marked the one-year anniversary of the death of a beloved SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau, who grew up 45 miles south of Chicago in Cedar Lake, Ind. Brancheau was reportedly dragged into the water by a 23-foot, 6-ton big bull orca whale and was killed after she had just finished putting on a show. Tilikum, the killer whale, was also involved in two other fatalities at the park, and has been taken out of the shows, although SeaWorld has high hopes that he will return. Without any trainers in the water, the show is still being put on every day.
Rather than pursuing a lengthy court battle, the Klages family decided that they wanted to celebrate Dawn’s life, and started a foundation in her honor. Junior Melissa Klages, a niece of Dawn’s, said the foundation was started “to focus on how Dawn lived her life, rather than how she left this world.”
The Dawn Brancheau Foundation has already completed projects in the short amount of time the organization has been up and running. “The Cards from the Heart Campaign,” which began in December 2010, delivers handmade cards made by youth organizations and schools to nursing homes, Meals on Wheels, and seven other facilities.
“We are continuing this project each year for Valentine’s Day and Christmas,” Klages said.
The foundation has also purchased two villas at the Give Kids the World resort in Orlando, which provides a vacation spot to children and their families who are suffering from critical and terminal illnesses.
The foundation intends to “continue these projects and add more to help the children and the environment.”
As of right now, DePaul has not participated in the endeavors of the foundation, but Klages said, “We hope to organize fundraising events or community service projects with DePaul students in the future.”
Valentine’s Day, as well as the actual anniversary of Dawn’s death, proved to be a difficult, but peaceful time for Klages and her family.
“Valentine’s Day was bittersweet for my mom and I. Last year, we were with Dawn in L.A. for Valentine’s Day weekend, which was the last time we saw her. This year my family went to mass, spent time with close friends & family, and reached out to Dawn’s friends.”
While it may be hard to cope with such a tragic loss, the Klages family is thankful for the work they have done with the help of the foundation and that her memory will be carried on.