27: Remembering How They Lived

http://www.calyxandbeau.org/photo-gallery.html

The world of nonprofits (well, the world in general) gives us many different ways we can look at this week of Celebration of Life. Sometimes, tragically, we lose those we love, but somehow some people not only survive, but they turn around and make the world a better place.  This is a story of someone who transformed grieving for the loss of his two beautiful children into a celebration of the lives they may have had by creating The Calyx & Beau Schenecker Memorial Fund dedicated to "Promoting the arts, athletics, and altruism in today’s young people by giving them the chance to live their dreams." (http://www.calyxandbeau.org/about-us.html). 

Today is the sixth anniversary of Colonel Parker Schenecker's loss of Calyx and Beau, and after living through the unthinkable, he still graciously allows us to share his story. I hope you find this nonprofit as beautiful as I do and celebrate the life of someone you hold dear, whether they are with you or not.

The Calyx & Beau Schenecker Memorial Fund was established after their tragic deaths in January of 2011 and has granted over $60,000 in scholarships for students and grants for non-profit organizations. http://www.calyxandbeau.org/about-us.html

The Fund sponsors Calyx Schenecker Art Infinitum, an annual High School Fine Arts Scholarship Competition and the Beau Schenecker "Infinity + 1" Culinary Arts Scholarship, at two local colleges, the Chargers Soccer Club state-wide Labor Day Showcase tournament, and the Schenecker Leadership and Ethics Seminar/Speaker Series, focusing on youth development.  (http://www.calyxandbeau.org/scholarships.html). 

The Rest of the Story 

I feel like you should know how hugely impacted I have been by Colonel Schenecker and how often I turn to what I know about him as an example of improving myself. I share the following with you if you want to know more about how and why the Calyx & Beau Schenecker Memorial Fund began.

I pulled an all-nighter one night after being invited to an amazing nonprofit event from because i said i would. I had been asked by RAINN to run a booth and we hadn't had much notice. I was worried about what to expect and whether I could do a good job for RAINN. I drove to Columbus, didn't get any sleep, and arrived in the convention center around 6:30. This isn't meant to complain, but to explain my nervous, foggy state of mind. Do you ever have one of those days the whole world seems grumpy? I did that day, but then as I made trip after trip up and down the escalator, a man gave me a genuine have-a-good-morning- smile, and I felt so much relief. I smiled a few more times we passed, but we never talked. I still thank you for that, sir - it made everything better. And this is the kind of man he is, a man who can smile at a stranger and make her day. This despite all he has led through in life and as a member of the armed forces for 27 years. S few hours later, I heard him speak about his tragedy. I heard what he had been through but also how he transformed. I also heard and observed things about being strong, honorable, and the ability to heal that reinforced the hope I have from and for this world. I hope you will listen to Colonel Parker Schenecker's speech below just as I heard it. I was standing to his right on the sidelines. I am a sidelines kind of person cheering you, Colonel Schenecker, and the world on, so it was perfect. If you watch no other videos I share this year, please watch this and imagine yourself being the best you can be. Thanks for being a role model, Colonel.

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Thanks and cheers to charity, m