FBLA kicks off fund drive for Kyle Ritz

The Lind-Ritzville High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) recently announced the start of a community service project. The group decided to combine their efforts, with the help of the Leadership class, to focus their efforts on a community service event that would mean something to the community, yet be personal too. They collectively decided to assist fellow student, Kyle Ritz, in an effort to raise funds to help him upgrade his current prosthetic legs, in order for him to reach his personal goal of walking at graduation.

Ritz is able to receive minor upgrades and adjustments to his prosthetics as needed, and approved, through insurance. His current set is five years old and in need of improvements that would make them more manageable and comfortable for Ritz to wear on a regular basis and at graduation. His current set of prosthetics was covered by Shriners Hospital for Children in 2007 and, at the time, the estimated value was $36,000. The cost for the improvements today is still to be determined, but is expected to cost thousands. The FBLA chapter hopes to help Ritz raise enough money through this project so he can get “better than average” improvements.

The FBLA kicked off their fundraising project during halftime at last Friday’s football game. Satchel Henneman, senior at LRS and appointed leader of this challenge, had the idea to ask the hometown crowd for donations for Ritz. Henneman and chapter members, Haley Oestreich, Haley Campbell and Mariah Kiel, went in amongst the audience and collected the generous donations. The LRS fans generously donated $780 during the collection and the FBLA brought in an additional $300 through the concession sales.

The project culminates in April 2013, when the FBLA chapter heads to the state convention to present their years’ project. They plan to conquer this goal by direct local fundraising and by creating a video diary of Ritz’s journey to post to Facebook to encourage people to spread the word around the country and to donate to the special cause.

For more information on this project or to make a donation, contact Henneman or class advisor Guy Strot at the high school at 659-1720.