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RANDOLPH – What started as a simple First Communion celebration turned into an unexpected crosscountry connection.
Kandyce Korth, daughter of Cameron and Kayla Korth, celebrated her First Communion at her Randolph home April 6. After the cake was eaten and the final party decorations were being tidied up, her cousins got creative with the leftover helium balloons.
Armed with markers and imagination, the kids decided to write messages on the balloons, launch them and hope someone, somewhere, would find one and send it back.
A sky-high experiment had officially begun. The next morning, Kandyce’s father received a mysterious call from an Oklahoma number but didn’t answer it. Later, a text message arrived with a surprising photo of one of the First Communion balloon.
It had landed in Stilwell, Okla. — 583 miles away, found by Misty Dake and her sister who discovered it on their lawn the day after it was launched from Randolph. The two were delighted by the cheerful message written by Jaxson Korth, son of Chris Korth and Jen Schutt.
The ladies not only reached out, but also mailed the balloon back as instructed.
Inspired by this unexpected pen-pal-style balloon connection, the family decided to continue the tradition.
On April 13, Jaxson celebrated his own First Communion and once again, balloons soared into the sky with hopeful messages and wishes for another far-off friend to find.
The experience has added a fun twist to celebrations and proved that a little helium can go a long way.
*** Information for this story was submitted by Barbara Korth, finessed by AI/ChatGPT, and edited by Trisha Benton.
Kandyce, Kallea and Jaxson Korth are seen here on the front step of the Randolph home where they launched balloons April 6. Courtesy Photos
