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WAUSA – Family members of a Wausa boy who left the world too soon are thankful for the memories they have of him, especially his love for alpacas.
In honor of the late Payne Haberer, Coleridge native Heidi Haberer, his mother, and her sister, Haley Rasmussen of Laurel, created a nonprofit organization called Payne’s Pacas Inc.
“A few months prior to officially starting this organization, Heidi and I found stuffed alpaca dolls on the Cuddle + Kind website and ordered a few to give to children of family friends who were hospitalized,” Haley said.
“The feeling of providing some comfort and also knowing that a child would have a guardian angel looking over them is incredible,” she said. “We knew we wanted to keep his memory alive and that’s when the decision was made to create this nonprofit organization.”
Haley and Heidi met with their lawyer, Alissa Baier of the Galyen Boettcher Baier law firm, in mid-May of 2023 to begin the process of creating Payne’s Pacas, and by the end of July, the organization was official.
“We have so many family members and friends who loved Payne and wanted to be involved in this project,” Haley said. “It did not take long to bring this concept to life.”
Haley and Heidi are members of Payne’s Pacas, along with Nichole Aitken, Sadie Ebberson, Amy Schutte and Rachel Schutte.
The organization’s board of directors consists of Haley, the president; Heidi, the vice president; Amy; and Nichole. Sadie is the treasurer and Rachel is the secretary.
Amy is Haley and Heidi’s aunt and Rachel is Amy’s daughter and the sisters’ cousin. Nichole and Sadie are close friends of Heidi’s.
The purpose of Payne’s Pacas is to provide stuffed alpaca dolls to children undergoing medical treatment in the pediatric intensive care units at the Nebraska
Medical Center and Children’s Nebraska – formerly Children’s Hospital and Medical Center – in Omaha.
“These hospitals were where Payne was hospitalized and received the best possible care,” Haley said. “We understand that being in the hospital can feel lonely and scary, so we wanted to provide ‘pacas’ to bring joy and comfort to other children, just like Payne brought joy and comfort to his loved ones.”
Payne, the son of Coleridge natives Chris and Heidi (Hefner) Haberer, loved animals of all kinds, but his face really lit up when he saw alpacas.
“Chris and Heidi’s friends had an alpaca on their farm and it wasn’t unusual for Payne to ask to go for a drive and see it many times during the week,” Haley said. “He would even squeal ‘pacas’ whether he saw them in person, a photo or a book. Hence our name: Payne’s Pacas.”
The organization is planning to donate 20 stuffed alpaca dolls to the Nebraska Medical Center and Children’s Nebraska two days before Payne’s Dec. 4 birthday.
“We will be delivering the Payne’s Pacas on December 2,” Haley said. “Payne’s Pacas are collaborating with Cuddle + Kind. We share the passion for caring for children.
“Cuddle + Kind ethically produces hand-knit dolls and donates 10 nutritious meals to children in need, for each doll sold,” she said. “We are elated to team up with this incredible organization.”
Payne’s Pacas is one of many ways the memory of the 2-year-old boy has been honored since his passing on Aug. 15, 2022.
Wausa’s Gladstone Park is home to Payne’s Playground, books Payne was interested in have been donated to Wausa Public Schools and the Lied Lincoln Township Library in Wausa features a section of books Payne enjoyed reading.
“Although Payne’s time on Earth was short, he has taught us about love, compassion, laughter, and the kindness of people,” Haley said. “Payne’s Pacas Inc. will allow Payne’s joy for life and his adventurous spirit to be celebrated and experienced by many.”
Payne’s Pacas will be planning events in the future that will enable it to donate stuffed alpaca dolls throughout the year. For more information, people may check out the organization’s Facebook page.
