100 Women of Lake Highlands at a general meeting. (Courtesy 100 Women)
It is a bitter, awful, not the least bit comprehendible thing, what is happening to Julian Kampfschulte and his family. The young boy is suffering from an incurable disease that will take his sight, hearing and, probably in a few years, his life. You can read more about Julian and see a short movie about his family and loved ones here.
It is hard to know how to react to something so tragic, but Julian’s Lake Highlands neighbors are doing their best, for example, by holding a fundraiser for the Kampfschultes on Sept. 24 at the Lake Highlands Strength and Conditioning gym.
Julian with his mom. (From Facebook/SnuggleJulian)
And last night, at the meeting of the organization 100 Women of Lake Highlands (group of 222 women, actually, who pool $100 each every quarter and donate to one local nonprofit), something sweet and amazing happened, as the group’s president Crispin Deneault tells it.
As at all 100 Women general meetings, local non profits were offered an opportunity last night to throw their name in the hat for a chance to speak and potentially be awarded a gift of $22,000.
All of the members of all of the nonprofits in the running had by this time heard about the Kampfschultes’ struggle, and one by one — the Pamper Lake Highlands charity’s Caren Bright leading the charge — potential beneficiaries began withdrawing ballots.
“The board and members sat in awe as many other non profits bowed out of the running,” Deneault says. “This was no small gesture as $22,000 was up for grabs and undoubtedly would make a huge difference for any organization.”
Julian with his dad. (From Facebook/SnuggleJulian)
They wanted the money to go to Julian.
Deneault, who describes the night as “crazy and emotional,” adds, “this is just another shining example of what makes Lake Highlands so unique. People and organizations genuinely care about the people living here and when tragedy strikes, we rally around our neighbors.”
So, Julian and his family will receive the $22,000.
“It is with great love and support that 100 Women of Lake Highlands gives them this gift,” Deneault says. “We can’t possibly know the depths of their struggle, but hope in some small way this gesture gives a wonderful family a moment of peace.”
