Szott Foundation's Young Heroes

Honoring The Young People
Committed To Giving The "Gift of Time"

Special thanks to Kelsey Webster, a dear friend of Abby's, for initiating this project with the U of M chapter of Women in Business.

(November 2008) The Women in Business student organization at the University of Minnesota organized the Dream Date for Hope to benefit the Szott Foundation in March 2008. The event was a date auction where students from the University and other surrounding campuses bid on exciting date packages of activities to do around the Twin Cities. The fourteen date packages each consisted of an activity and dinner that were donated or sponsored by corporations.

Over 200 wristbands were pre-sold as admission tickets to the event, and even more wristbands were sold that night. Women in Business was able to donate almost $5000 through the sales of the date packages, t-shirts, and admission tickets. Women in Business received an award for Most Original or Innovative Event from the Carlson School of Management - the first time this award has ever been given.

The Szott Foundation would like to recognize and thank the following women for their hard work: Kelly Paul, Karmi Sunell, Heidi Allen, Kelsey Webster, Andrea Rodriguez, Kelsey Eliason, Casey Pennington, Melissa Ruppert, Anna Spratt, Emily Lacourciere, Brianna Polus, Erin Bennett, Amanda Legler, Ashley Anderson, Susan Dordal, Kirsten Keefe and Seda Alan.

Emmy coordinated a successful Sand Volleyball Tournament fundraiser for the Szott Foundation in 2007 and 2008.

(September 2008) My name is Emmy Garner, and I am going to be a junior at the University of Wisconsin. I recently got into the business school there and am majoring in management and entrepreneurship. I got involved in the Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation because Abby was one of my good friends throughout school, starting at good old Northview Elementary. Abby was always an athletic girl, and even when she was going through treatment, she was one of the strongest people I will ever meet. Because of Abby's love for gymnastics and other sports, I thought some sort of athletic event would be perfect to help with the foundation. I have always loved volleyball; I am the manager for the Wisconsin volleyball team, coach several club teams, and am an avid player, so a sand volleyball tournament made perfect sense. Last year was a huge success, and despite the inclement weather we raised close to $2000. This year we had great weather but a little bit smaller pool of teams. We still came out with $1500 to give to the foundation. The experience I have gained has been extremely beneficial to me, not only in a business sense (I would like to go into a sports management career), but also on a personal level. I love knowing that what I am doing is helping people, and I look forward to being continually active in the foundation. Throughout these past few years, the Szotts have been so helpful and supportive of me and my endeavors, and I could not have accomplished what I have without them. This foundation has shown me how even the smallest amounts of endurance, faith, courage, and hope can go a long way in changing someone's life.