The Pancakes for Parkinson’s fundraiser to raise money for Parkinson’s will be Thursday at 9 p.m. in the Gardner West lobby. Stacks of pancakes will be provided with a minimum donation of $2 per plate.
The event will feature live music from The Dogwoods, Josh & Caroline Levinson and Claire Heath & Lane Luttrell. T-shirts for the event will be sold for $10 in the Campus Center April 21-23 and at the event that Thursday night.
Addie Schmitz, junior youth and family ministry major from Grapevine is in charge of the fundraiser. Her father, Gary Schmitz, was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s 14 years ago.
The proceeds will go to a boxing group based in Fort Worth called Punching Out Parkinson’s.
“This program is really incredible and does wonders for the fighters, physically, emotionally and spiritually,” Schmitz said. “This program is continuing to grow more and more, which is awesome, but that also requires a lot more money to keep the program running.”
Schmitz said they will help the group fundraise but also support them in their fight.
This group offers several hour-long classes a week for people fighting Parkinson’s disease where they come and do basic, non-contact boxing drills that help them maintain or regain control over things that Parkinson’s causes them to lose, such as reflexes, balance, hand-eye coordination and even basic mobility skills.
“I’m excited that even though we aren’t in Fort Worth or even though we don’t know all 50-plus boxers that are benefiting from this program, we can still support them and cheer them on by us having a pancake dinner and concert,” Schmitz said. “It was really awesome to see what God did with one night last year, and I’m excited to see what He does with this one night this year.”
Greta Pittman, sophomore nursing major form Allen is an RA along with Schmitz.
“It totally changes your attitude when you are raising awareness for something that affects someone you love,” Pittman said. “I don’t usually get really into fundraisers but I am pumped about Pancakes for Parkinson’s because I know how much it means to Addie.”
