CAMDEN — With the holiday season steadily approaching, the Watershed School's Liberian Education Fund chapter has begun taking orders for their annual wreath sale.

Collecting balsam fir tips themselves, the students of the Watershed LEF group have a hand in the wreath-making process from start to finish.

Spearheaded by Louisa and Isabel Crane of Camden, the annual wreath sales mark the beginning of a new year and new opportunities for students in Liberia.

Since the majority of the funds raised by the Watershed LEF group are made in wreath sale orders, a wreath could mean the difference between receiving an education and not being able to attend school.

In 2007, the first chapter of LEF was founded at the Belfast Area High School. The Liberian Education Fund has since grown into a multi-chapter, multi-state endeavor comprised of Camden Hills Regional High School, Belfast Area High School, and the Watershed School, as well two university chapters.

The Liberian Education Fund is currently funding more than thirty students' educations, five of which are directly funded by Watershed's chapter.

All proceeds raised from LEF fundraisers go directly towards paying the required costs of a high school education in Liberia, a privilege many Liberian students cannot afford.

With sixty percent of Liberians living below the poverty line, LEF is a life changing opportunity for underprivileged Liberian students.

Many have expressed their gratitude by sending various letters and photographs.

The Watershed LEF group also raises money by holding an annual 5K race, bake sales, bottle drives, and a Valentine's Day cake sale.

In total, the group has gone from funding just two students to five each year since its inception in 2011.

The Watershed chapter raises about $1,500 in funds annually to provide its students with full scholarships.

While Liberia has been ravaged by Ebola, the deadly disease taking a large death toll in three West African countries, none of the students funded through LEF have contracted it.

Unfortunately, the disease has already made a significant impact on the students' lives and many schools have been shut down temporarily.

However, the Watershed LEF chapter is continuing to raise funds with the hopes that the already sponsored Liberian students will not have to worry about financial insecurity in the face of such immense tragedy.

To place a wreath order, download the Watershed LEF wreath order form at docs.google.com/forms/d/1nhgLoIRZys2of1PVoJFoDuln0GV0BkipU0W8e5NXRP8/viewform.

To learn more about the LEF chapter and the work they are doing, contact the Watershed chapter at watershedlef@gmail.com.

For more information on the Liberian Education Fund, visit liberianeducationfund.com.