by Steve Eighinger
Quincy Herald-Whig
“Between Friends” effort trying to build on past success to raise funds to benefit children
Suzette Krummel is hoping to make a good thing even better.
Krummel and Vanessa Pulliam help coordinate “Between Friends,” an effort from a group of volunteer women who dedicate their craft making and artistic abilities to enrich the Sammy Fund and what it represents.
For the first time, “Between Friends” is incorporating young people who would like to help create items in support of the nonprofit Sammy Fund, which raises money to benefit children in the community.
“Between Friends” will be hosting its third annual sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. September 26th at 2815 Maine. Each of the first two sales raised $1000.
“We’re hoping for more this year, “ Krummel said. “We’re hoping this sale will continue to build into a citywide event.”
Pulliam said it was only natural to get kids involved in the process.
“It’s something we wanted to do because of what the Sammy Fund stands for,” Pullium said.
The Sammy Fund was established in memory of Samantha Otte, daughter of Chuck and June Otte, who died after a liver transplant necessitated by cystic fibrosis.
After Samantha’s death, here family and friends decided to create the Sammy Fund to honor her memory and benefit other children.
The chief source of revenue is the Sammy Fund event, held each October since 2000.
Since its inception, the Sammy Fund group has raised more than $360,000 through the annual events and private donations.
For more information about the “Between Friends” sale, items that will be available or making a donation, call Krummel at (217) 224-9368.
“This is a win-win,” she said. “You get something proudly made by someone in the Quincy area, and then your money is donated to the Sammy Fund, which in turns donates to many children’s charities and organizations in the community.”