Published: April 25, 2008 12:24 pm      

Little lady has big heart

CAMANCHE — In a small town known for people with big hearts, one young lady serves as a shining example of how big and strong a heart can be by raising money for the American Heart Association.

Six-year-old Sydney Schutte knows the work of the AHA is important. As an infant, Sydney was diagnosed with pulmonary stenosis. She was just 3 months old when she had heart surgery in January 2002.

“Thanks to the research and medical advances of the American Heart Association, I am a vibrant and healthy 6-year-old young lady with a wonderful future,” Sydney says on her Web page. “I am trying to help other “cardiac kids” by raising money for the American Heart Association.”

Sydney and her parents, Dave and Chris Schutte, will participate in the 2008 Quad-Cities Heart Walk in LeClaire Park in Davenport on May 17.

The American Heart Association Heart Walk is the signature fund-raising event for the organization, held annually in communities across the U.S. Funds raised in the Heart Walk help with educational and awareness programs and support research in the fight against heart disease and stroke.

“The American Heart Association means so much to our family because Sydney was born with congenital heart disease, had an unsuccessful catheterization at 3 months old and a successful open heart surgery at 31⁄2 months old,” said Chris Schutte. “Sydney is now 6 years old and continues to have periodic heart checkups but has no limitations at this point. Sydney’s goal is to help other ‘cardiac kids’ go on to have happy and healthy lives like she has.”

This is Sydney’s fourth year walking in the Heart Walk. She started fundraising and walking in 2005, raising $300 that year and raised $405 in 2006. Last year, a middle school dance was held in honor of Sydney and significantly added to her fund-raising effort for the American Heart Association. Thanks to $1,000 raised at the dance and other donations, Chris Schutte said Sydney was able to donate almost $2,000 to the AHA, more than tripling her donation from the year before.

The dance is being held at River Bend Middle School again tonight. The dance has been organized by members of the school’s student council and Chris Schutte and will feature concessions, music, door prizes, a guessing jar and a dollar dance with Sydney. Donations for the AHA will be accepted throughout the evening.

“It’s amazing to me how my students and colleagues at River Bend Middle School seem to adopt Sydney as one of their own family members. I can’t even express in words what this means to me and my family,” said Chris Schutte.

Along with monetary donations and the River Bend Middle School American Heart Association dance, this year several family members, friends and colleagues added their support to the fund-raising efforts by purchasing T-shirts. The shirts, which were available on a limited basis, were created to show support for Sydney and the American Heart Association with a firefighter theme.

Sydney’s fund-raising goal this year is $2,000. Currently, she is one-third of the way to her goal and has raised $725. So far this year the family has received support from Adcraft, McDonald’s, Camanche Kwik Star, North Bridge Amoco, Wal-Mart, River Bend Middle School, Pizza Hut, the Low Moor Lions Club and 1st Gateway Credit Union.

“We would like to thank all of the people and businesses who have helped us this year and in the past, raise money for the American Heart Association,” Dave Schutte said.

Anyone interested in supporting Sydney and helping her reach her goal can make online donations to the AHA in Sydney’s name at www.heartwalk.kintera.org/quadcities/sydneyschutte or checks can be mailed to Sydney’s Heart Walk, C/O Camanche Fire Department, Box 77, Camanche, IA 52730. Checks should be made out to Sydney’s Heart Walk or the American Heart Association.

“To us, raising money for the American Heart Association is an emotional calling. We do this so hopefully in the future other families won’t have to go through what we went through. We truly appreciate everyone’s support,” said Dave and Chris. “Sydney summed it up perfectly last year at the conclusion of the dance when she said, “You guys are the best!”