By Maureen Vander Sanden
Contributor
The colorful spectrum of more than 1,200 classic cars that made their way into Waterford Town Park last weekend for the Tichigan Lake Lions annual car show could only be overshadowed by the beaming smile of the 12-year-old boy who was honored with the event.
Thousands of spectators and car enthusiast rallied around Big Bend’s Eddie Kimminau, who was born with Morquio syndrome, a progressive disorder arresting growth and causing severe bone disease in young children.
Each year the Lions Club raises money for an area child battling a rare illness, in order to help offset the substantial medical costs that plague the families who are fighting.
In his short lifetime, Eddie has undergone more than a dozen major surgeries and continues to rely on medical care.
Each week he receives five-hour infusions and gets X-rays every six months to monitor potential orthopedic issues.
“We never know what is coming next so we enjoy each day to the fullest,” said his mom Jeni.
The local car show, which has grown to become one of the largest single-day events throughout the state, raised $18,000 for the upbeat middle schooler, thanks to ticket sales from the civic club’s popular engine raffle.
Jeni said the funds raised exceeded the family’s expectations.
“The donation gives us security to know that we can fully meet all of Eddie’s needs,” she said.
The family is currently working on getting a stair lift to make their home’s basement accessible. What’s remaining will go into Eddie’s Special Needs Trust, she explained.
“We know that surgeries and travel will be in our future,” she added. “Having that money is a weight lifted off of our shoulders.”
Per tradition, at the end of the Lions event, Eddie got to draw the winning raffle ticket – this year’s lucky winner of a 396 Chevy Stroker was Jim Gignin of Cedar Shack Furniture in Burlington.
As with previous shows, the raffle winner gets to choose between the prized engine or collect $2,000 cash.
Gignin opted to take the cash, making room for a live auction of the engine. The bid-off ultimately garnered $2,600, with an additional $600 going to the young boy.
Tichigan Lake Lions Club President Bill Burke said the club is extremely proud of the success of the event and the impact it makes on each year’s child.
“The size and scope of this event now rivals some statewide venues that are run by professional event contractors,” he said. “To accomplish what we did with spouses and friends is truly phenomenal.”
“I’m very proud to be a member of this group. I think we showed the community and our guest (Eddie) at the car show what it means to serve,” he added.
According to Jeni, the Lions undertaking was nothing short of impressive.
“We are all extremely thankful and humbled with the generosity and hard work displayed by the Lions Club,” she said. “Everyone we met was friendly, smiling and running around to make sure the car show ran smoothly.”
She added that her son was overwhelmed by the amount of people at the show who came over to meet him and show support.
Besides the friendly faces, Eddie’s day was highlighted by a ride in “The Paddy Wagon” and dancing to the music put on by the Lunch Money Bullies.
In addition to raising funds for Eddie, the Tichigan Lake Lions were able to donate $2,000 to Wisconsin Lions Foundation and $1,000 to the Brittney Cayemberg Foundation.
Cayemberg was the recipient from the first Lions’ car show held in 2007. Known as “Little Mouser,” at 3 years old, Caymberg was diagnosed with cancer and later succumbed to the disease at age 16.
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