Community Corner

Teen Fundraiser Pays for LT Student Memorial

A block party held in Western Springs to raise the money necessary to build a small memorial for Louis Dudek in Willow Springs.

Friends of Louis Dudek were hoping that their block party and fundraiser in Western Springs Saturday night might raise half of the $1,250 needed to create a memorial for the LT senior, who .

But at the end of the evening, the young organizers were amazed to find they’d raised over $1,450—more than enough for the bench and tree they plan to install in Healing Waters Park in Willow Springs, a greenery and pond near Dudek’s home that friends say was one of his favorite hangouts.

“For a while, we were just really sad, then we said we should do something to remember him because we’re all going our separate ways,” said friend and fellow LT grad Katie Falvey, one of the event’s organizers. “We all congregated around this park when we were with Louis. It was always a nice spot to meet up with him.”

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The event, which was held on the 4300 block of Lawn Avenue in the village, featured a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses, a concert by the LT band Tomorrow’s Alliance, a “bags” tournament, a bake sale and a photo contest using amounts of change to vote for a favorite photo of Louis.

Lauren Shafer, another friend who lives on the block, said that the group had also been lobbying to name the park’s pond after Louis, but were stymied by the Village of Willow Springs, since the park has spiritual Native-American roots. Still, they aim to attach a plaque to the bench that will unofficially designate the pond as Louis’.

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“We thought it’d be a really good way to commemorate him, because cause trees stay around for ages,” Shafer said. “And here’s only one bench at the pond that we know of, so it’d be nice for people who come to fish.”

The bags tournament was won by Brian Ramm and Connor Schuler, who credit the girls with putting the entire thing together. “I can’t wait until we can put in the tree and the bench,” Ramm said. “That’s where we guys’ll finally come in handy—brute strength.

“It’s nice to get the word out, and hopefully people will donate even more, flowers, or plants, or their time to help us put in the tree.” (Anyone interested can contact Shafer here.)

Both of Louis’ parents, Susan and Mike Dudek, attended as well, and spoke of their appreciation for the hard work done entirely by Louis’ group of friends. (Louis’ cheerful golden retriever, Hunter, was also on hand.)

“A lot of other kids on Saturday night are inside playing video games—which is okay—but these kids are always out doing things,” Mike Dudek said. “And my son was the same way, so he fit in really well with them.”

Louis graduated from LT posthumously with the class of 2011. His memorial will hopefully be installed later this year as soon as plans with the Village of Willow Springs are finalized.


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