8 | October 3, 2019 | the frankfort station news frankfortstationdaily.com Lives remembered and celebrated at ForeverU’s first ‘Remember Me’ walk LW East graduate’s nonprofit launches inaugural event Mary Compton Freelance Reporter As if on cue, rain began pouring down as local residents checked in for the first “Remember Me 2019” walk at the New Lenox Village Commons on Sept. 21. It was a day of sorrow, yet, a day to celebrate lost young lives. Ryan Hesslau, the founder of ForeverU, wanted to help others heal from the pain of losing a With theright financial advisor, life canbebrilliant. What matters most toyou in life? It’s abig question. But it’s just one of many questions I’ll ask to better understand you, your goals and your dreams. All to help you live confidently –today and in the future. Claudia Marban ChFC®, CLU®, CRPC®, CASL® Private Wealth Advisor President Claudia Marban &Associates Aprivate wealth advisory practice ofAmeriprise Financial Services, Inc. Claudia Marban &Associates Ameriprise Private Wealth Advisory Practice claudiamarban.com young life. “The catalyst behind this walk was to bring people together and celebrate lives of youth that we’ve lost through the years,” Hesslau said. “With ForeverU students, this is what we talk about often is regardless of how or why, today we walk to remember. It’s not just students who died by suicide, but those who died by tragic accidents.” Hesslau started ForeverU when he was a student at Lincoln-Way East. A student from another school district commit suicide. When he saw other classmates having a difficult time dealing with the grief, he knew he had to do something. “For parents, I thought ‘what could I do so they can remember their child,”’ Hesslau said. “Myself and others wanted to make sure their life was remembered, celebrated and never forgotten. That is why we wanted to create a simple community walk.” Tables of information lined the inside of the stage in the New Lenox Village Commons. Information on beating addictions, where to find information on mental health and other services were also offered 815.469.7181 10261 WLincoln Hwy Frankfort, IL 60423 claudia.t.marban@ampf.com claudiamarban.com CA Insurance #OF24575 Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., aregistered investment adviser. The Compass is atrademark of Ameriprise Financial. ©2019 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (07/19) Lincoln-Way alumnus Ryan Hesslau (right), founder of ForeverU, hugs Frankfort resident Cyndi Grobmeier on Sept. 21 during the first Remember Me 2019 walk at the New Lenox Commons. Mary Compton/22nd Century Media at Remember Me 2019. In the corner, a poster of a young smiling girl drew people to the table. High school students hugged and talk about Maddie Grobmeier. Maddie, a 2019 graduate of Lincoln- Way East, had just lost her life June 27 of this year. She died unexpectedly from an asthma attack the day after her 18th birthday. “Maddie always had a smile on her face,” said Maddie’s mother, Cyndi Grobmeier, of Frankfort. “She lived a lot more life in 18 years than a lot of people live in a lifetime.” Maddie was involved in gymnastics for 17 years. She competed at a level 10 the last few years, receiving a scholarship from University of Wisconsin. In March of 2019, Maddie walked away from a serious car accident. Cyndi said Maddie sat her parents down and had a conversation with them about organ donation. Maddie was an organ donor. “She told us to honor her decision if anything were to happen to her,” Cyndi said. “We started the Maddog Strong Foundation to help bring that conversation for teens to their families.” “We think it’s important for teens in the community if they choose to be an organ donor that they have that conversation with their families, they would know what to do,” Maddie’s father, Frank added. “My daughter was silly, quirky and everyone knew her as Maddog in the gym. She had the roar and the heart of a lion.” Several of Maddie’s teammates from Gym- Kinetics and former classmates from Lincoln Way East joined Maddie’s parents as they walked to remember her. Another parent took his grief and started a family addiction support group. Tom Moore, of New Lenox, lost his son 17-year old Jacob, from heart arrhythmia partially from drugs in his system. “I lost my son on March 5 in 2014,” Moore said. 8 “He had suffered with addictions for a few years. He had some time of sobriety but just couldn’t escape his demons.” Moore said there was trauma in his life that the family didn’t know about until after his death. “I run a family addiction support group now,” Moore said. “We meet on Tuesday nights in New Lenox at Peace Lutheran Church in New Lenox. We’re an open support group that supports all roads to recovery. It’s a mixture of everyone — families friends and those who are suffering.” As Moore spoke, several guests picked up pamphlets from his table and other other resources. “We can learn so much from each other,” he said. “I’m here today because everyone needs a better understanding of this disease. I’m also here to remember my son Jake and to provide resources. Jake had a fun life. He was an athlete. Please see celebrate, 10
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