On December 1st, 7th grader, Karl Soliman collapsed at a junior high basketball game. Many professionals tried to save him but unfortunately he did not survive. We have decided to raise money after reading this letter from his parents. We know the letter is long, but it describes Karl better than we could. We would like to raise enough funds to complete this list. Could we accomplish this within 6 months? All funds will be turned over to Karl’s parents or the person of their choosing once they are ready.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE GOFUNDME PAGE
Thank you so much for all the memories and support. They have touched me unbelievably and many tears have been shed. Karl was a wonderful child. No words explain how totally AWESOME he was in every way. He was so talented. He was a high honor roll student, passionate about every sport he played (soccer, baseball, track and field – 100m, 200m, 4×100 and long jump, golf, and of course basketball). He loved doing 5k races and going to athletic training with me. He loved going to the Mendota public pool. He loved playing the trombone in the public school middle school band. He was his Dad’s best friend and we just started calling him our “little Shawn”. They loved fishing together. They loved hunting together. They loved doing all sports together. He always looked to Shawn for guidance. He was always at Shawn’s side. He loved Fortnite and connected with his many friends with his headset. He loved video games with his brother, sisters and friends. He also loved hanging out with all his friends. He loved going to Lake Delavan, Wisconsin throughout the year and go fishing, tubing, swimming, sledding, and ice skating. He loved going to water parks. He loved going to Chicago Fire games, Chicago Cubs games, Chicago Bulls games, NBA games, any other sports games. He was blessed to see some of his favorite basketball players in real life – Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook, Paul George, Zach LeVine and Giannis Antetokounmpo. He also dreamed to see Isaiah Thomas and Kylie Irving along with many more.
He did everything with determination, perseverance, and passion. He gave everything 110% or more. He was a mentor to so many young children and younger siblings and a watched out for all of them.
He wanted to be a doctor just like his me and I knew he could since he was so kind, smart, determined, and passionate.
During my last 11 years in Mendota, Illinois so many lives have touched him and our family. I have always dreamt of more youth sport opportunities in our small rural town.
In honor of Karl these are dreams we have shared over the years. I have always dreamt of a way to make it happen but there is no way I can do it on my own. Her are some wonderful ways to help the youth in our community which is what Karl would want:
*Updating the local track and field they had all their meets at. (the local public school district owns it but with the Illinois budget it is not feasible to spruce it up)
*New basketball hoops at Holy Cross School playground and local Mendota parks. (Most just have old rims)
*Updating the local public pool which has no heat and only staffed by high school and college students during about 2 months during the summer.
*Many of us have wished we had soccer fields with nets to just go play anytime.
*Many of us wish we had an indoor basketball court kids can just go shoot hoops at anytime.
*A school van for Holy Cross School so they can have consistent reliable transportation to band practice at the public school (right now the parents have to volunteer everyday to transport the kids back and forth).
I’m sure I am missing something we have talked about over the years but right now with my heartbroken heart this is what comes to mind.
Please continue to pray for him and for our family. We will always need prayers, since no day will ever be the same and we will miss Karl the rest of our lives.
Our community also needs prayers and support in this tragic time. So many people knew Karl since he was the little red head point guard who was so quick and agile on the court dribbing and setting up plays. He was the one that pulled the team together. He was awesome at his 3 pointers and they all called them “Kobe’s”.
I am so sorry this happened in such a public manner. I pray that all the children affected can move on and continue to love and play basketball and all other sports they are involved in.
I also pray that they can remember Karl Soliman for AWESOME kid he was and not what happened that day.
I can’t even express my thankfulness for such an incredible community of people. Thank you so much.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE GOFUNDME PAGE
