Celebrate a big game with a Do What You Want tailgate fundraiser.
Lisa Schmitz, a long time volunteer and supporter of St. Baldrick’s, knew that and wasted no time organizing a Do What You Want fundraiser for the Kirkwood High School home game.
Her plan? A tailgate party in the parking lot selling food and drinks to hungry football fans. She would promote it through the school as well as throughout the community. It was simple, easy, and she could get the food and drinks donated.
The tailgate fundraiser kick started Team Schmolivbarr’s fundraising for the new St. Baldrick’s season. Lisa’s husband, Craig, and family and friends have shaved with the team at the Helen Fitzgerald’s event in St. Louis since 2009. She thought this would be a great way to help the team towards their $10,000 fundraising goal this year.
Her inspiration? To honor her niece, Emily Barr, and in memory of a friend’s child, Landen Rush.
Emily battled bilateral Wilms tumor since she was 2 years old. Her treatment included surgeries, chemotherapy and partial removal of both kidneys. That was 15 years ago, and Emily is now cancer free. She is looking forward to starting college next year, where she plans on studying nursing.
Left: Emily was diagnosed with Wilms tumor at the age of 2. Right: Emily with Landen in 2012.
Landen was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 4. Always energetic and positive, he loved school and hated missing it for the treatments he had to endure. Landen courageously battled through two relapses but passed away before his fifth birthday.
Landen fought against a brain tumor at the age of 4. He passed away before his fifth birthday.
Lisa puts her motivation into words: “After Landen’s death, we knew he would continue to be our driving force for St. Baldrick’s. Every year our team tries to come up with new ways to fundraise and make our team bigger and spread the word.”
Lisa’s tailgate fundraiser raised $1,040 in just under two hours. Her secret was asking customers to donate rather than charging a price for hot dogs, chili and drinks. And the generous folks in the community donated much more than expected to support the fundraiser.
To top it all off, the Kirkwood High School Pioneers won that night 35-19!
Not a bad way to start the the 2014 St. Baldrick’s season for Team Schmolivbarr.
Do What You Want fundraisers are a great way to boost your team’s fundraising so you can meet and exceed that goal to raise as much money as you can for childhood cancer research! Learn more about staring your own DWYW event.
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