Recipients
The Szott Foundation has been fortunate to grant the Gift of Time to 15 loving families and have given away over $175,000! Read on to learn more about our recipients. Each gift recipient was chosen based on an extensive analysis of family needs.
December 2011
Paul, Sue, and Logan Collins
The 14th Gift of Time was awarded in December to six year-old Logan Collins and his grandparents for $17,000. Logan was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is receiving care at the University of Minnesota’s Amplatz Children’s Hospital. Logan is a very bright little boy that loves to read and be read to. He also enjoys math problems and helping in the kitchen to make spaghetti and cookies! His grandparents, Paul and Sue Collins, are providing all of the attention, love, hugs, and security Logan needs as he continues to undergo treatment. We pray for their continued strength as a family.
Mike, Tessa, and Nevaeh Belker
Nevaeh Belker and her family are the recipients of the 15th Gift of Time. Nevaeh (Heaven spelled backwards) is a four year-old little girl that is full of life and love for others. She loves watching over babies, going to Sunday school, playing at the park, baking and doing crafts. She says that when she grows up she wants to be a babysitter.
This October, Nevaeh was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a brain tumor, shortly after starting preschool. The location of her tumor in the middle of her brain required the surgeon to cut through major pathways to reach it. As a result, Nevaeh had to relearn how to walk, talk, use her arms, and even smile. However, we proudly report that in just the last couple of months, Nevaeh is now walking, talking, and smiling again! We pray that Nevaeh’s incredible determination continues to persevere.
September 2011
Jamie, Tony, and Ava Zeug
The 13th Gift of Time was awarded in September to the Zeug family of Becker, Minnesota for $15,000. We are thankful to be able to give a gift to the Zeug’s as they continue to find strength as a family in their battle against childhood cancer. The Zeug’s daughter Ava, first diagnosed with ependymomy, is an amazing child that is always smiling and enjoying the little things in life.
Ava underwent surgery to de-bulk some of her tumor in September. The next step will be to start a clinical trial of vaccine therapy. She will be the first and youngest to participate in this trial. There is no assurance or records to know if the treatments will work. We ask for continued support for Ava in your thoughts and prayers. To learn more about Ava’s story, you may visit her Caringbridge website.
November 2010
John and Jacob Curley
We are proud to announce that we have awarded our 12th Gift of Time in the amount of $10,000 to a family from South Dakota. Thirteen-year-old Jacob Curley lives with his dad, John and brother Jeremiah. Jacob and his dad spend a lot of time at the Ronald McDonald House in the twin cities as Jacob completes chemo treatments for Ewing’s Sarcoma.
Jacob enjoys playing video games and likes hockey and baseball. He also enjoys fishing in lakes and rivers and looks forward to the day when he can own his own home near the water so he can fish all he wants. Learn more about Jacob on his Caringbridge website.
December 2009
Wendy Morales and Krystell Serrono
Seven-year-old Krystell Serrono of Inver Grove Heights, MN was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, in August 2009. She has had surgery to remove a tumor on the bone in her upper left arm, and now she is getting chemotherapy.
Krystell is a very happy little girl. She enjoys dancing, dressing up, and reading. She is strong and is adjusting to this huge change in her life. When she first started chemotherapy, her mom was still working and had to leave her alone in the hospital. One day a child life specialist asked her what she wanted to wish for. She replied that she wished her mommy could be with her all the time. The Gift of Time from the Szott Foundation allowed Krystell’s mom Wendy to spend time with her through her treatment.
The Szott Foundation wishes Krystell and her mom the very best.
June 2009
Anonymous recipient
It was with great pleasure and gratitude that the Foundation was able to give $13,000 to a family from Savage, MN who wishes to remain anonymous. Their 12 year-old-son was diagnosed with a brain tumor in August 2008. Our grant allowed his father to be at home with him through his illness.
June 2009
Lynell Gupta and Grant McGarry
We were honored to award Lynell Gupta and her son Grant McGarry with $6,000 in June 2009. Grant was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in May of 2007. He began his chemotherapy in September of that year and finished it in March 2008. Grant remained cancer free until January 2009, when his doctors discovered the cancer had metastasized to both lungs.
We are sad to share that Grant McGarry died on July 20, 2009. He was a special young man and will be missed by many family members and friends who loved him very much.
March 2009
Eric, Samantha, and Tyler Orton
The Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation was honored to present its eighth Gift of Time award of $14,000 to the Eric Orton family of Ogilvie, MN. Eric has two children; Samantha is fourteen years old and her brother Tyler is fifteen. Sammy was diagnosed in August 2008 with a desmoplastic small round cell tumor, which is a rare soft tissue sarcoma. She underwent a stem cell transplant at the University of MN in April, and her family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House, which Eric’s aunt and uncle founded. The last update we have from the Ortons says that Sammy is doing well and, at the time, had been cancer free for four months! We continue to wish Sammy and her family the best!
February 2009
Jahn, Jenna and Marissa Johnston
The Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation presented its seventh Gift of Time award of $10,400 to 14-year-old Jenna Johnston, her mom Jahn, and her twin sister, Marissa, of Chisago City, MN. Jenna was diagnosed in July 2008 with a rare form of childhood cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. We are deeply saddened to share the news of Jenna’s passing in the summer of 2009.
December 2008
Mark, Kathy and Alex Simanek
The Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation presented its sixth Gift of Time award of $8,400 to Mark and Kathy Simanek of Excelsior, MN, at the 2008 Abby Invite. Their oldest son, Alex, was diagnosed with stage IV Ewing’s Sarcoma in August 2008.
We are very sad to share that Alex passed away on June 4, 2010 at the age of 22. Alex is missed and remembered by many.
October 2008
Grant, Sherri and Kyle Levanen
The Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation presented its fifth Gift of Time award of $11,000 to Grant, Sherri and 16-year-old Kyle Levanen of Duluth, MN, in October 2008. Kyle was diagnosed with T-cell ALL, a form of leukemia, in February 2008. Kyle is an only child and he is Sherri and Grant’s miracle baby. Today, he is doing great, has graduated from high school and is attending the University of Minnesota Duluth. You can keep up with Kyle is doing by visiting his website.
October 2008
Justin, Jodi and Jordyn Olsen
The Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation presented its fourth Gift of Time award of $9,000 to Justin, 
Jodi and then two year old Jordyn Olsen of Pipestone, MN, in October 2008. Jordyn was diagnosed with progressive stage IV Neuroblastoma in June 2007. Today, Jordyn is doing very well, going to school and enjoying being a four year old! You can keep up to date with Jordyn and her family by visiting her website at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jordynolsen.
July 10, 2008
Paula and Cameron Allen
The Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation presented its third Gift of Time award of $25,000 to Paula and Cameron Allen of Minneapolis, MN, on July 10, 2008. A formal presentation was made to Paula and Cameron at the 2nd Annual Tournament for Time on August 16, 2008.
We are sad to announce that Cameron passed away on September 14. He was a special boy who left many loved ones and friends behind.
May 12, 2008
Nathan, Dawn and Elijah Carlson
The Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation presented its second Gift of Time award of $25,000 to Nathan, Dawn and Elijah Carlson of Janesville, IA, on May 12, 2008 at the U of M Masonic Cancer Research center in Minneapolis.
Little Elijah went home to Jesus on May 21, 2008. Elijah touched many hearts in his short life and will not be forgotten by his many friends and family.
December 15, 2007
Larry, Debbie and Brooke Plemel
The Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation was proud to present its first Gift of Time award of $25,000 to Brooke Plemel and her family on December 15, 2007 at the Abby Invite Gymnastics Fundraiser.
Brooke went home to Jesus on January 12, 2008. She was a precious “guardian angel” to many and will be loved and remembered by her many special friends and family.