It was standing room only at last Thursday’s funeral services for Timothy and Joshua Schrauger, as a family, friends and the community united to honor the brothers? memory.
Described as unique and wonderful young people by their former track and cross country coach, Oakview teacher Carl Zoolkoski, Tim, a freshman at Lake Orion High School, and Josh, a senior, were killed in a car accident that occurred in Riley Township (outside of Lansing) on Sept. 29.
As news of the accident and the Schrauger family’s recent trials spread (they also have a son that was severely injured in Iraq and lost their Lake Orion home to foreclosure over the summer), one thing was certain to the community – they wanted to help.
A fund was set up through the family’s church, Community Bible Church in Waterford, and Rev. Tom Hampton believes that when the final numbers come in, a significant amount of money will have been raised to help the family.
‘The outpouring has been so terrific,? said Hampton. ‘The family really appreciates everything.?
According to Hampton, as of Oct. 6, $142,245.79 has been raised through the fund and money continues to pour in.
Besides donations from individuals, many fundraisers have been arranged that should add to the fund.
Hampton added that once it became known that an account was being set up at Oakland County Credit Union, people off of the street started walking in and donating to the fund.
Thousands of dollars have been raised through efforts from high school students, and Hampton received some of that funding at the funeral last week, but more has been raised and not added into the Oct. 6 total.
The high school PTO partnered with the National Honor Society to take a collection for the family at last Friday’s Homecoming game. Over $2,700 was raised with the collection and will be given to the Schrauger Family Fund.
The high school wrestling team also donated their proceeds from the 50/50 raffle they hold at home football games to the fund. It was the biggest raffle of the season, and the team donated over $1,600.
On Nov. 17, Josh’s birthday, the Lake Orion cross country team will host a 5K in their teammate’s memory. The money raised will go towards the family’s fund.
It’s not just teammates and classmates that feel the need to help the Schrauger family, but the community as a whole.
This Sunday, Oct. 14, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the North Oakland Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will host a spaghetti benefit lunch. The lunch, held from noon to 2 p.m., will be at the church, located at 1950 S. Baldwin Road (248-391-1170).
The lunch will feature donated spaghetti/mostaccoli and desserts from Christi’s, as well as other donations from several local vendors.
Suggested donations are $8 a person or $25 a family.
Barnstormer’s Banquet Center will host Alto Reed and his All-Star Band in a special concert to benefit the family on Oct. 19.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m. in the center’s new heated events pavilion. Tickets are $20.
The idea came from a public safety motorcycle club, the Warthogs, made up of police officers and fire fighters.
‘We’re expecting to have up to 3,000 people,? said venue owner Rob Cortis. ‘Our goal is to have all the ticket money go to the family.?
Barnstormer’s Banquet Center is located at 9411 E. Nine Mile Road in Whitmore Lake. Event sponsorships are still available. For more information, contact Rob or Kathy at (734)449-0040.
According to Hampton, Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh is helping to set up the family’s trust fund.
Narsh said that he is facilitating the process with the help of his staff and local attorney, Jim Porritt, whom he has known for many years and knew would want to help out.
‘Jim graciously provided his expertise to the family,? Narsh said, adding that through Porritt’s quick assistance, the fund should be set up by the end of the week.
According to Narsh, another local businessman has also joined in the fight to help the family.
Mark Southern, owner of Lake Orion Roofing, has set up www.timandjoshuafund.com, where individuals can go and make a donations to the family with their credit card.
Narsh said that the site is a secure site, and donations are made through a PayPal account.
According to Hampton, as additional funding comes in through various fundraisers, they will continue to update the total that is published on the church’s website, www.cbcmi.com.
As the family continues to mourn, they turn to their faith and Hampton said that Tim and Josh’s mother, Vicki Schrauger, spent Sunday at church and visiting a family friend that had broken his hip and wasn’t able to attend the funeral. She wanted to see how he was doing.
‘These are incredible people,? Hampton said. ‘They are heartbroken yet still thinking about others.?
He noted the boys also displayed the same selflessness and caring personality.
Father, Cliff, flew to Texas with oldest son, David, where David will continue his medical treatment.
Cliff is now back in Michigan with his wife, while David is joined in Texas by his soon-to-be wife, Katie. They’ll all be together again shortly, however, as David and Katie will be back in Michigan for their upcoming nuptials.
‘They’re grateful for some happy times,? Hampton said.
Editor’s note: We apologize for a misprint in last week’s jump headline. It should have read ‘Community mourns loss of caring brothers, funeral is Thursday at LOHS.?