Focus on the Family Magazine - April/May 2020

IMPACT STORY / FAITH & INSPIRATION
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Samuel's parents and members of
the Sheboygan Fire Department
surround Samuel as he is named
an honorary firefighter.
Captain Tim Kohlbeck of the
fire department remembers the
moment well.
“To me, it was a miracle,” he says.
“In that broken body was a spirit
created by God, and that smile was
a validation. It was a gift from God.”
It made an impact on Judge
Foley, too.
“This was one of the most remarkable
experiences of my life,” he says.
“If I ever write a book, I’ll do a chapter
on Samuel and the Salcherts.”
Less than three weeks later—Oct.
16, at 4 p.m.—Samuel passed away.
But his impact lives on.
In lieu of flowers, the Salcherts
asked that memorials be given in
the form of teddy bears, which
emergency personnel use to calm
small children in traumatic situations.
Hundreds of bears poured in.
“The legacy of T Bear will keep paying
it forward,” Kohlbeck says. “The
kids won’t know, but we do. Every
time I hand out a teddy bear, I think
of him.”
Beyond the big events of the day,
Foley remembers the little things
as well. “It’s not just Cori’s medical
background that makes her good at
this,” he says. “It’s how she relates to
those children. You watch her hold
their hands and sing to them and
whisper in their ears—that’s what
strikes me most.”
And Cori? She’s just thankful.
“The spark created by the Wait No
More event was fanned into flame in
God’s timing,” she says. “It’s a beautiful
thing to love deeply. We were
privileged to invest for 22 months
and hold Samuel’s hand as he
slipped away from us and flew away
to heaven.”
The Salcherts intend to keep doing
what they do—and to encourage others
to do the same.
“Sometimes I tell people, ‘I may be
crying, but I’m not in despair—far
from it,’ ” Cori says. “This isn’t fun,
but it’s deeply satisfying. I’m given the
privilege of carrying these children
until they go home to Jesus. And I’m
being carried by Him while I do.” •
Matt Kaufman is a freelance writer based
in illinois.
April / MAy 2020 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY 27