A fundraiser for Parkinson’s research will take place at Gardner West Lobby, April 11 at 9 p.m.
There will be Pancakes from IHOP, live music and T-shirts. Donation is required, and all proceeds will go to Team Fox North Texas which raises money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Acts will include The Dogwoods and Jane and the Gentlemen.
Addie Schmitz, sophomore youth and family ministry major from Grapevine, is in charge of this fundraiser. Her father, Gary Schmitz, was diagnosed 13 years ago with young onset Parkinson’s.
Five years ago, Gary Schmitz started getting involved with the Parkinson’s research movement. Addie said he decided even if there isn’t a cure in his lifetime, he is going to use the life and strength he has left to help find a cure for others in the future.
Addie said her father had heard of other schools that had done a “Pancakes for Parkinson’s” fundraiser, and it had been his dream to have one in Texas ever since.
Addie is making her dad’s dream a reality. In October of 2012, she began working with resident directors including Jenny Butler, area coordinator for Gardner Hall, Jordan Bunch, area coordinator for Mabee and McKenzie, and Shannon Kaczmarek, area coordinator for Nelson and McDonald, to host one of these events.
Once they planned out all the details and set a date, she made a YouTube video revealing to her dad that they would finally be hosting a “Pancakes for Parkinson’s” at ACU.
The video can be viewed by searching “ACU Pancakes for Parkinson’s 2013” on YouTube.
Jenny Butler, area coordinator of Gardner Hall, said, “Gardner Hall is so excited to partner with one of our precious resident assistants (Addie Schmitz)- it is always a joy to raise awareness for a cure and even more so when you personally know someone who is benefiting from that research.”
“Dorm Wars” is the theme of the event. The freshman men’s dorms will compete against the freshman women’s dorms to see who can raise the most money. However, anyone is invited. Monetary donation is required.
“They’re getting closer and closer to a cure everyday,” Schmitz said. “I’m excited that when they do find a cure, ACU will be apart of it, whenever that day comes.”
