 |
Children made call to 911 and to
their father at work
It was Dec. 29, 2004 when Sonya Schumer, then 35, collapsed in her kitchen from a severe stroke. Frightened, her two older children, Sara and Megan knew they witnessing an emergency.
Sara, then 12, saw her mother experience the stroke and remembers how frightened she was. Shortly after their mother fell, Megan, then 9, came into the room and together, they knew they had to call for help because their father was at work and it was up to them to care for their little brother Joe, who was then 3, until their father, Jim, came home.
The two girls also contacted their father who was on a job elsewhere in the Valley. By the time Jim arrived at his home the paramedics were already there.
“I am very proud of the way my daughters were able to handle the situation even though they were terribly upset and scared,” Jim said. Sara and Megan attend Solvang School. Joe attends the Presbyterian Pre-School. |
Sonya Schumer Fundraiser
Solvang Vikings Chief Bob Raleigh announced today that the well known philanthropic organization will host a fundraiser in the Solvang Veteran’s Memorial Building April 8 to assist with medical expenses for Sonya Schumer.
Mrs. Schumer continues to suffer severe brain damage following a stroke in the family kitchen shortly after Christmas in 2004. She has been in various medical facilities since and is now residing at the Lompoc Skilled Rehabilitation Center where she is under “Maximum Assistance” care, according to Vikings Hans Birkholm, Danny Townsend, Harry Crosby and Jerry Long. After extensive meetings with Mrs. Schumer’s husband, they took their request for financial assistance for Mrs. Schumer to the Charity Committee, headed by Hans Birkholm, who then presented it to Vikings Gold Cuppers, (board of directors) where it was met with unanimous approval.
Mrs. Schumer, 37, is the wife of Jim Schumer, a local contractor, and mother of Sara, 13, Megan, 10 and Joe, 4. The family has resided in Santa Ynez for over 25 years.
Mrs. Schumer was 35 at the time of the stroke. Although she is now a Medi-Cal patient, more than $113,00 in medical debt remains unpaid. Before she qualified for Medi-Cal, Jim paid everything he could --nearly $14,000 -- to defray the debt, but at times it rose to the tune of $8,000 per week, according to the Vikings.
Chief Raleigh said, “The pacemaker/defibrillator was $50,000 by itself, and the pharmacy for Cottage Hospital was $111,000. Jim and his family are near the end of their rope. The request from the Schumer family is $113,500, which we hope to raise at our April 8 event. With the help of the community, I’m confident the request can be met.”
According to Jim, his wife’s short-term memory at this time does not function well, not being able to remember conversations from one visit to another. Brain scans have shown that the physical aspect of her brain is “in good shape,” but no one can tell how far recovery will go.
Since her stroke, the three children have been cared for by Jim with assistance from his parents, other family members and friends.
“Jim works at his construction business every day, then comes home and takes care of the children and does everything he can to keep the family together and as happy as possible. He’s an unusual guy. I doubt if most of us could endure what he has and continue to be as energetic and positive as he is,” said Vikings spokesman Jerry Long, past chief and member of the Gold Cuppers.
For further information or to donate to the Sonya Schumer fundraiser please call Harry Crosby at 688-7775 or Jerry Long at 688-3060.
Financial goal exceeded for Schumer family’s expenses at Vikings fundraiser
All income not yet counted, but live auction alone brought nearly $90,000
 Vikings Chief Bob Raleigh said he was “absolutely thrilled and extremely grateful” for the turnout at the Vikings’ April 8th fundraiser for Sonya Schumer. Many people who didn’t attend the event “also contributed generously,” Raleigh said.
Sonya Schumer, 37, of Santa Ynez, suffered a stroke in her kitchen shortly after Christmas in 2004 resulting in brain damage. The family owed medical expenses in excess of $113,000, according to Vikings members who have come to the aid of Sonya Schumer.
Former Viking Chiefs Jerry Long and Harry Crosby, co-chairs of the fundraiser, said a final tally of income has not yet been completed, but they said it definitely exceeded their $113,000 goal . “The live auction alone, with over 150 donated items, brought in $88,945,” Long said. “Once everything is added up, the dinner sales, the silent auction income and proceeds from several drawings, I’m guessing we’ll be well over the goal.”
If the proceeds exceed $113,000, the additional money will be put in a trust for Sonya’s use in the future should she need it, Long said.
 “Right now,” Long and Crosby said, “we want to thank everyone who helped us in any way. Thanks go out to the people who donated auctions items, to those who purchased advertising tickets, to those who cooked us a great dinner, to those who worked at the event, and those who attended and participated. It’s a great place to live because there are so many great people willing to assist a neighbor in need.”
Sonya’s husband, Jim, in a phone call to Long’s home after the fundraiser, said, “I was in awe watching it happen. It was an unbelievable night and I want to thank you and all of the Vikings for your hard work.” Schumer said it was difficult to put into words his appreciation to the Vikings and to all who participated and contributed. “Wow. What an incredible, unbelievable night,” Schumer said.
The Vikings of Solvang look forward to continue serving the medically related needs of the community, as we have since 1975.
|
