Community rallies around the Schultheis family

A dodgeball tournament fundraiser held Sunday at the Crown Sportsplex in Fruitland, Md.  is just the latest act of support the community has shown the Schultheis family.

Rob Schultheis lost his life tragically in October after he was hit by a pickup truck while jogging. The dodgeball event raised funds to go to the Ben and Savannah Schultheis College Fund, which was set up by their uncle Paul Schultheis.

“It’s an awesome, it’s an awesome turnout,” said an emotional Paul, as he spoke to 47 ABC at the event, while holding his niece Savannah.

Since Paul started the fund for this niece and nephew, over $104,00 have been donated.

That number is expected to rise once the donations from the fundraiser are counted, as Kellie Noonan, organizer of the dodgeball event said that 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the college fund.

“I actually get choked up, you know,” Noonan said about the out pour of the support the community has shown in both helping her pull of the fundraiser and helping the Schultheis family. “It’s amazing, our community has always been good about giving back.”

Paul said the amount of support from the community has really touched him and his family, but it has also taught them just how many lives Rob touched.

“I mean we had no idea, you know we had no idea what to expect and it’s just been nothing short of amazing,” Paul said.

Paul said his message to the community is one of thanks during an extremely rough couple of weeks.

As for the message he wanted to give to his late brother, “We miss you bro, we miss ya. We’re going to take care of your kids though.”