After Derek’s death, Brandee set out to write a short message/story which she presented to me while I was away at Fantasy Camp. It is a lovely story that she wrote about Derek and how his task, now in heaven, is to help all those who grieve. It is a beautiful story with photographs from one of our dear friends, Tami Nelson. Brandee sees this book as a healing item for those who have recently had a loss, a way to know that your loved one is always there for you, in heaven. The book is now available for purchase. You can purchase it from us directly or by simply clicking to buy here. If you buy it directly from us, the shipping will be waived.
LutheRUN 4 Derek 5k Run/Walk – Aug. 8, 2015
The 2015 event will be held Saturday, August 8th. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the race starts at 9:00 a.m. Here is the new Registration Form: LutheRUN Registration Form – 2015
Derek Lendosky Memorial Baseball Tournament 2015
The 2015 Derek Lendosky Memorial Tournament will be held directly following the Rob Deer Hitting Camp. Both a 10U and 12U tournament will be held from July 30 to August 2. The tournament will held on Fennimore’s Baseball Diamonds (Volunteer Field & Derek’s Field), as well as at the Stitzer Ball Diamond. There is a 3 game guarantee and is limited to a maximum of 12 teams in each age group. A portion of the money raised is used to fund a scholarship for a graduating senior baseball player in Derek’s name. Last year’s tournament filled up very fast so please save your spot soon.
2015 Derek Lendosky Memorial Tournament 10U & 12U – July 30-Aug 2 Registration Form
Rob Deer Hitting Camp 2015
The dates are set! July 28-30, 2015! Rob will be bringing back some former major league baseball players to assist in the camp. We have a confirmed list of WONDERFUL players who have agreed to help out at camp! This year: Rob Deer, Greg Vaughn, Fernando Vina, Pete Ladd, Steve Woodard, Jeff D’Amico, Jim Gantner and Cecil Cooper. It is going to be such a great event! Here is the signup sheet for the camp: Baseball Camp Registration Form
The camp will run for 3 days, with 2 camps running each day. The first age group will be ages 7-12 and that will run for 3 hours in the morning, from 10-1. The second group will be ages 13-18 with camp running from 1:30-4:30. We will be looking to take 75-100 kids in each camp, and we will have more than enough coaches (former MLB players and staff) to cover the camp.
The cost of the camp will be $125 with $10/child discounts to families (per person) if they sign up more than one child. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and has not been done anywhere in Wisconsin before.
There are events for the adults as well. This will be a charity event to continue to raise money for Derek’s Memorial Fund and the ballparks. We will have camp all day on Tuesday, and then that night there will be a charity softball game starting at 7:00 between the former MLB players and coaches against local celebrities and sponsors. This game will be BROADCAST LIVE ON WGLR! At the end of the game, the MLB players will be removing their jerseys, signing them, and auctioning them off.
On Wednesday night, we will have a very unique Question & Answer session with the MLB players. There will be a unique meet and greet for the sponsors from 6:00 – 6:30 (everyone can eat during this time), and then the Q&A will run from 6:30 – 8:00. From 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. EACH attendee will get to meet and get autographs and pictures with EVERY MLB player that is there. We will also be running a silent auction for some very unique sports memorabilia and a couple of other items. The cost for this unique opportunity is $40 a ticket which includes food. There are only 130 seats available, and I don’t anticipate these lasting long.
On Thursday night, starting at 5:30p.m., we will have an 18-team golf scramble tournament featuring teams of four, and then you will bid to add a pro or one of the camp coaches as your 5th. This will depend on the number of players sticking around to play golf. This will be a 9-hole tournament at Hickory Grove Golf Course. The cost will run $35 per golfer. There will be a bunch of prizes and auction items, so we have so much in store. Stay tuned for more news as it becomes available! Here is the tentative schedule.
Tuesday, July 28th: 10-1:00 Camp #1, 1:30-4:30 Camp #2, 7:00p.m. Celebrity Softball Game.
Wednesday, July 29th: 10-1:00 Camp #1, 1:30-4:30 Camp #2, 6:00-9:00p.m. Q&A Session.
Thursday, July 30th: 10-1:00 Camp #1, 1:30-4:30 Camp #2, 5:30p.m. Golf Tournament.
Derek’s Day at the Ballpark Aug. 6, 2015
Mark your calendar! We have booked the August 6, 2015 Milwaukee Brewers baseball game against the San Diego Padres as the 2015 “Day At The Park” to celebrate Acts of Kindness in Derek’s name. The Milwaukee Brewers are once again on board and will assist with the Acts of Kindness Campaign. We have 350 tickets ordered and they are going fast. They are be $21 each. Please contact me if you are interested in joining us for the event!
Volunteer Field and Derek Lendosky Community Field
2015 UPDATE! Stay tuned for pictures, but Derek’s field will now be lighted!
In 2014, we were able to work with the Community of Fennimore to build enhancements onto the city ballpark. We used a portion of the proceeds from Derek’s life insurance money to leave behind a place that other kids his age would enjoy. The two fields are now called “Volunteer Field” and “The Derek Lendosky Community Field”. Countless hours of volunteer time and energy went into finishing this project, and “Thank You” doesn’t say it enough. It is a spectacular ballpark. We hope everyone enjoys the time they spend out there. The enhancements are used daily and have brought many people to the ballpark. In 2015 we will be covering the batting cages.
2015 Scholarships
We were also able to give out significant scholarships in Fennimore and Iowa-Grant to students who excelled in math, science, reading and sports- all the things Derek loved in his life. We will be able to provide these scholarships for the next twenty years. The Iowa-Grant 2015 recipient is Elizabeth Buckhaus.
We were able to give out 2 Scholarships to Fennimore Students in 2015. The $1,000 awards went to Jeffrey Needham and Patrick Govier. It was an honor. Pictured is Jeff receiving the scholarship from Brandee.
Fennimore Elementary School
On March 24, 2015, a monetary donation was made to the Fennimore Elementary School to assist with the cost of purchasing keyboards for the students to learn how to type. Stay tuned for the dedication of the trophy case in the AP room that will house the accomplishments of the Elementary School kids.
April 9, 2015:
A little over a year ago we were approached by the Fennimore Elementary Student Council in regards to the building of a trophy case to showcase all of the achievements of Fennimore’s young children. That process started shortly after and recently finished. The case was built by Chad Fitzgerald and will house the accomplishments of our area youth along with any other items they so choose to put in it. On the side there is a compartment for the electronics for a new white board (those cool interactive ones). This is located in the AP Room (Cafeteria) at the Elementary School. Derek’s Act of Kindness portrait is hanging in the upper window. Thank you to the school for this wonderful opportunity and allowing us to make this happen for you. In the picture is Mrs. Carmen Burkum, the Elementary School Principal, Mr. Jamie Nutter, the Fennimore District Administrator, and Brandee and I. We are honored that Derek will be a part of this school for many years to come.
Derek Lendosky Memorial Baseball Tournament 2014
The Derek Lendosky Memorial Baseball Tournament is to be held July 25th-27th at the Fennimore ball diamonds and on Derek’s field. In 2013, this was the last tournament and game that Derek played in. The individuals responsible for running this tournament (Mike Hunt) so graciously changed the name of this event as the money they raise from this tournament will be used to provide a scholarship to a graduating senior baseball player in Derek’s name.
LutheRUN 4 Derek 5k Run/Walk 2014
The “LutheRUN 4 Derek” 5K run/walk on August 9th was put together by members of St Peter Lutheran Church in Fennimore, where Derek attended church. These are wonderful people and an extension of our loving friends and family here in Fennimore. The donation back to the Derek Lendosky Memorial Scholarship Fund was made on October 16, 2014 in the amount of $2,045. In the picture are Tami Nelson, Jenna Govier, Bethany Baumgartner, along with Peyton and Lucas Lendosky. What a wonderful tribute and event.