Family's fundraiser held in memory of girl who drowned

A Rolling Meadows family is doing its best to turn a tragic event into something positive.

Felicia Ann Buckel was 14 and getting ready to enter Rolling Meadows High School last August when she died in a swimming accident.

Her parents, Ken and Sue, hope to preserve her memory in the community, starting with an all-day fundraiser picnic Saturday at Kimball Hill Park. The public is invited.

Activities start at 11 a.m. and include volleyball, Baggo, baseball, inflatables, raffles with prizes, food and music. A 2 p.m. walkathon around Kimball Hill Pond will be led by Felicia's 11-year-old brother, Ryan.

Felicia was active in dance, cheerleading, local stage productions and basketball, and she played drums and loved music, too. Her dream was to be an actress.

"She was very sweet and kindhearted. She loved to bring people together and to help others," Sue Buckel said, adding that Felicia loved her hometown. "We knew we wanted to put a memorial in Rolling Meadows in her honor."

Proceeds from the event will be used for the memorial and donated to the Epilepsy Foundation and the Make A Wish Foundation.

The Buckel family hopes the memorial will be a place Felicia's friends can stop by to sit down and remember the good times.

Donations can be made to the Felicia Ann Buckel Foundation at any Chase bank.

Help for kids: Children in Rolling Meadows Park District summer camps are collecting pennies for Freethechildren.com, which supports and educate youngsters in developing countries.

Cathi Fabjance, camp coordinator, says the goal is to raise $5,000 from mid-June through Aug. 15. As of this week, more than $850 had been collected at the camps for children in first through fifth grade.

The fundraiser is part of an effort to make the campers more aware of the world around them. "They tell their parents, 'Did you know some kids have to walk 10 miles to get clean water?' " Fabjance said.

Camp groups are competing with each other to raise the most money - a good motivator, she says. The park district is accepting cash donations from businesses and residents. Call Fabjance at (847) 818-3200, ext. 225.

Colleen Thomas welcomes your news about community events and people. Call (847) 427-4591, or e-mail her at cthomas@dailyherald.com.