A Testament to Human Kindness and Generosity: A Story of David Schultz

by Bob McParland, Community District #218.

While the grief and loss from the death of Eisenhower High School graduate David Schultz remains palpable, hundreds of people from Blue Island, the Chicago area and, indeed, the United States have worked in his honor on behalf of Iraqi children.

Schultz, posthumously promoted to captain, died in late January while serving with the 3-73 Cavalry of the 82nd Airborne Division. The son of longtime Blue Island residents David and Marjorie Schultz, he left a newborn son and a young wife. David was just 25 years old.

David's humanitarian work near Scania, Iraq, made his death all the more tragic. Last fall, he asked his family, friends and former teachers from Eisenhower for some help with a project he initiated.

During foot patrols, he encountered children who possessed few school supplies and no sports equipment. The notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons and other supplies that fill American stores existed in short stock in Scania. David asked for help, and received it.

In the weeks after his death, Eisenhower and District 218 staff members, friends, family and many others drew the same conclusion: His work must continue. With nearly $6,000 in monetary donations and at least $1,500 in donated supplies, people have spoken loudly in support of this genuine American hero.

As supplies arrived in Iraq, comrades of David wrote back detailing the project's positive effects. Aside from distributing paper, pens, pencils, markers and soccer balls to schools, Lopez channeled some art supplies to the Thunderbolt Burn Clinic in Scania.

“As I sit here typing this letter, it feels good to know that people from the States not only support those of us far from home, but also that they are supporting our mission as well,” wrote Sergeant Joe Barzeski. “Currently, 70 children are receiving long-term burn care at the clinic. Their burns range from second degree partial thickness burns to third degree full thickness burns. These burns involve as little as 4% to as much as 65% of their bodies. These children go through a painful debridement process 3 days a week without the benefit of anesthesia.

He stressed that the donated art supplies assist in the children's recovery.

“Understand that the supplies that you have generously given will save lives. Although the children never see you, and although you may never step foot in this country and touch them, you are the real heroes,” Barzeski wrote.

“You, the people who take time out of your life to go out of the way, sometimes into your own pockets to send supplies and sundries to children who you will never meet in a country where every day Americans are dying. You should be proud of the contributions you have made and feel the same pride that I feel knowing that the work we are doing together shows a different side to this war and the American people. I know that these families leave here and spread to their relatives and neighbors a positive look on the military and the American people. I truly believe that the children, who leave here healed, will tell their children of the time when they were young and Americans gave them the opportunity to live.”

Hundreds of people have contributed to the project. The examples below illustrate the depth of human kindness, generosity, and commitment - qualities that characterized David's life. Coaches from the Shepard and Richards varsity boys volleyball teams donated the proceeds from concessions from their game in early May. They collected nearly $400 between food sales and the collection jar on display.

* Adrienne Johnson, a teacher at Eisenhower, and her Bible study group collected donations during lunch periods for nearly two weeks in May. They amassed more than $300.

* On May 3, teachers and students from all three District 218 high schools gathered on a Saturday to box-and-tape supplies and complete Customs forms. In just two hours, they packaged more than 80 boxes for shipment to Iraq.

* In late May, seven faculty members from Northern Illinois University, where David graduated, met at Kaneland Middle School (David completed a clinical program at KMS as part of a kinesiology course). KMS teacher Sadie Stark, her students, and the NIU faculty packaged more than 80 boxes for shipment.

* Katie Mucha, an English teacher in the freshman small learning community at Eisenhower, and her students collected many boxes of school supplies and financial donations. More than 20 of them volunteered at the May 10 box-and-tape event to package them.

* Individuals from throughout the Chicago area have donated nearly $4,000.

* In early June, Kathie Miller, a resident of Mt. Prospect, hosted her daughter Bridget's 16th birthday party. All of Bridget's friends from Loyola Academy were asked to spend their money on supplies and monetary donations for the Iraq project instead of birthday presents. The Millers received more than $900 in donations from Bridget's birthday party.

* Teachers from Eisenhower, Richards and Shepard high schools volunteered their classrooms as collection sites during April and May. Many students and staff supported the Iraq project with donations of school supplies and soccer balls.

Although the 3-73 Cavalry will return soon to their home at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the mission will continue. Lieutenant Jason Lopez, David's friend, will coordinate with the executive officer of the replacement unit who will serve as the new contact in Scania. If anyone would care to contribute, they may call Bob McParland at 708-424-2000, ext. 2570 or send donations to Bob McParland, District 218, 10701 S. Kilpatrick, Oak Lawn, IL, 60453.