Too many times we hear stories of today’s youth on the negative side, today I want to tell you a story on the positive side and introduce you to 16 year old Eric Schultz, who can even put most adults to shame with his kindness and generosity.
First, this story began in the late summer of 2014 when I interviewed Jessica, Reagan and Adrianna who were staying at the Target House at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, where Reagan was undergoing treatment for leukemia. Fast forward to 2015 when I learned that the Reagan had passed away, I was devastated to hear the news and decided from that point on I was going to do everything I can to remember Reagan but also to fight for others like her. In that time I also developed a deeper bond and relationship with the family and then that’s where Eric Schultz comes into play.
In 2016 I ran the Chicago To Peoria St. Jude run for the first time in memory of Reagan and the outpouring of support from her family and friends was phenomenal but there was one name that kept popping up on my donation list and that was Eric Schultz. Later that summer at Reagans 5k I was able to meet him and was floored to be looking into the face of a teenager. Between last year and this year, Eric has donated more money in memory of Reagan than ANY individual has in the past SIX years I have been fundraising for St. Jude and…he’s just 16!
You don’t often come across people like Eric and in a world full of negativity I wanted to share something awesome, I wanted to tell him thank you, to let him know that I can’t do what I do without him and to never change that giving spirit about him. It’s these small acts of kindness and giving that matter and make a difference. Reagan may no longer be with us, but she will always be in our hearts and people will always know there was girl by the name of Reagan Wednesday and that she made a difference in the world and changed it.
Thank you to Flores Music and Costo for helping to highlight this young mans efforts.
For photos from the event head to my facebook page here and for live video of the entire surprise simply view below, lastly if you want to #BeLikeEric and donate to St. Jude go here www.peoriaruns.stjude.org/AnnaRunsForReagan
~Anna Kinkade
