News Release for The Heart of David Inc.
Through the tragedy of losing their son David, in a drinking and driving accident; Jeff and Jamie Schulz have decided to fight back by developing a non-profit organization that will provide our local communities as well as the communities of Greater Minnesota and Wisconsin with a powerful message regarding the choices people make and how those choices affect so many others.
From the beginning of their journey Jamie and her family have spoken out against drinking and driving and the importance of seatbelt usage. Jamie spoke at her son’s funeral service, and from that day forward their assignment in life has been made perfectly clear. It is through their pain and sadness that they wish that no family should have to ever live with the loss of a child because of poor choices. Jeff and Jamie have done what they call “presentations” at three different schools and they have more scheduled for fall. The team consists of roughly 10-20 people depending on the need of volunteers. For the school presentations there is usually around ten people, but for events such as the parades and the fundraising horse show that is coming up on July 20th at Reirmann Acres we will have at least twenty volunteers. Jeff and Jamie’s daughter Jaylea who just turned 14 is a part of their team and she participates in a skit, as a kid who is faced with choices. As previously mentioned The Heart of David Inc. will be in several parades promoting their cause and also having some fun. The Heart of David Inc. has other facets as well. In the future they will be working with the Saint Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program in River Falls WI, and Impact Recovery Inc. out of Baldwin WI. The Heart of David Inc. will travel to churches, schools, colleges, Tech. schools, industries, community centers, any venue that wants to hear a message regarding alcohol and its perils when it involves the poor choices that people make.
It is in the news and in the news papers that Wisconsin leads the nation in alcohol related accidents. Binge drinking on our college campuses is at an all-time high according to our nations’ polls. If the Schulz’s reach the heart of one person at each event, they say they are doing the right thing. In the events that have already taken place they have heard from numerous students that their story has made a difference in the choices they will make in the future. Jeff and Jamie come at it from a different perspective, their son was not killed by a drunk driver; he was the drunk driver. This family is not the victims of someone else’s bad choices, their son was the one who was making those poor choices that has left several families and friends hurting and missing a very special young man.
If your school or organization needs to hear a message regarding alcohol related choices please contact the Schulz’s at www.theheartofdavid.net and someone will get back to you. The Schulz’s also have a memorial account set up at Wells Fargo for donations. Establishing non-profit status and getting the organization started has cost the Schulz’s more money than they ever thought would be needed. They purchased the car that David was driving back from the ins. Company so they would have a visual for the students. You wouldn’t think a totaled car would cost much, but it cost almost 3000.00 dollars. Some of the other needs are a portable sound system, projector and screen, lap top, car trailer to haul the car. Everything they have is borrowed. The quality of the presentation depends on the working equipment of other people. That is why they are doing fundraisers and one of those fundraising events is a WSCA Game show at Reirmann Acres, 821 160th Ave. Somerset WI. The public is welcome to come and have fun, participate or not. The Schulz’s are looking for their local communities to support them in this mission. Watch for other opportunities to support their organization in the future.