Lake Zurich St. Baldrick's fundraiser spearheaded by 10-year-old girl
Lake Zurich's elected officials and a crowd at village hall received a pitch from a 10-year-old girl helping to organize a fundraiser for childhood cancer research in memory of a friend.
Mayor Thomas Poynton didn't let the girl, Beth Kamman, leave immediately after her presentation. As she remained at a podium at the mayor's request, Poynton recited several charitable endeavors in which Beth is involved.
Beth is junior co-chair of a St. Baldrick's Foundation fundraiser scheduled for noon to 6 p.m. May 2, at Scoreboard Bar & Grill in downtown Lake Zurich. She's dedicating the effort to her 9-year-old friend, Faith Hartzell of downstate Litchfield, who died from pediatric cancer complications last week.
"We are trying to raise $10,000," Beth said at Monday night's village board meeting, "and I personally want to raise $1,000."
St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to raising money for children's cancer research.
Beth, who's Miss Prairie State Preteen 2015, also asked for participation from Lake Zurich police officers and firefighters for the fundraiser. In addition to those who volunteer to raise money by getting their heads shaved, a raffle and silent auction will be part of the day at Scoreboard.
Poynton touched on Beth's volunteerism and other activities for the village hall crowd. She's a fourth-grader at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School in Lake Zurich.
"She'll be competing in June for the title of Miss Illinois Preteen. ... And through her platform, 'Kicking Cancer, Keeping the Faith,' Beth volunteers for the Children's Miracle Network, the Illinois Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the St. Baldrick's Foundation," Poynton said.
Paul Hunt, who organized last month's Purple Plunge fundraiser, recognized Beth's efforts after he made a presentation to the village board.
"It's just another example of what this community is made of," Hunt said, "and the people and the heart of this community."
Hunt announced the icy plunge in the village's namesake lake raised $24,000 for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of Lake Zurich/Wauconda/Island Lake.