By Maureen Vander Sanden
Correspondent
More than 1,000 collectible and antique cars rolled into Waterford Town Park Sunday for a great cause – the Tichigan Lake Lions eighth annual Car Show fundraiser.
The local car show has grown to be one of the largest one-day events throughout the state. But it is not the abundance of colorful cars of yesteryear that solely draws in the crowds – it’s the civic club’s effort to raise money year after year for area children battling rare illnesses, in order to help offset the substantial medical costs that plague the families who are fighting.
This year, 5-year-old Zoe Nuedling of Waukesha was the beneficiary. Zoe lives with Heterotaxy Syndrome-Asplenia – a rare birth defect that involves the heart and other organs, which literally translates to “different arrangement.”
The condition has been known to affect the development of the heart, liver, lungs, intestines, and spleen. Many cases usually involve heart defects of varying type and severity.
In Zoe’s case her spleen, intestines and heart have been affected, according to her mother Kaleena, who was present at the car show to educate those present about the kindergartener’s condition.
From just a few days old through her next four years, Zoe endured several intricate and crucial surgeries that Kaleena said has thankfully made the youngster’s heart strong as ever.
“Her future holds a heart transplant but there is hope in modern medicine that there may be a new procedure or medical device that could substitute a transplant. We can only hope,” she said.
Zoe received $15,779 from the sales of engine raffle tickets that the Lions begin selling months in advance of the car show.
Per tradition, Zoe got to draw the winning raffle ticket at the event. Each year, the raffle winner gets to choose between the prized engine or collect $2,000 cash. This year’s winner, Jim Hass, chose to take the cash, making room for a live auction of the engine at the end of the show. The bid-off ultimately garnered an additional $2,499 for Zoe.
“Words cannot express how grateful we are for the support of the Tichigan Lake Lions Club,” Kaleena said. “Today was truly an amazing sight to see. They will all be in our hearts forever.”
Tichigan Lake Lions Club President Eric Petzold said the club is extremely proud of the success of the event and the impact it makes on each year’s child.
“This car show is challenging, but rewarding in so many ways,” he said. “Helping to change someone’s life, and moving them forward by lifting a small part of their burden keeps us motivated to keep improving year after year.”
Besides seeing the tears of joy from families who have benefited, Petzold said club members simply enjoy putting on a quality, family-friendly event that enhances the community.
“Seeing all the people who bring cars and the spectators, including kids, looking at these awesome vehicles – it feels really good to be able to give this experience,” he said.
He added that a lot of work goes into the event, and dozens of volunteers from outside the club offer a hand.
“This event is like the Super Bowl of fundraisers for us. It’s all hands on deck with family and friends in the park working all day in order to put on an event of this caliber.”
In addition to raising funds for Zoe Nuedling, the Lions were able to donate a portion of proceeds to the Tichigan Lake Volunteer Fire Co., which received $3,000 for a new defibulator; Wisconsin Lions Foundation, $1,000; and the Brittney Cayemberg Foundation, $1,000.
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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