The Spenser Somers Foundation (SSF) is a Minnesota-based charitable foundation that raises money for children with cancer and other needy causes. The foundation was established in the memory of Spenser J. Somers.
Spenser J. Somers was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 21, 1972.[2][3] In 1984 his family moved to Edina, Minnesota.[3] Spenser, known to his friends as Spense, was active in sports and popular at school.[4] In June 1985 a lump was found in his stomach, which was diagnosed as Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET), a rare form of cancer. That July, Spenser's spleen and part of his stomach were removed in the first of many operations.[3] Even after his diagnosis, Somers continued to be active. Despite a deteriorating body and balding hair, he played basketball and baseball in grades 9 and 10 and was vice president of his junior class. He was on the staff and was published in Edina High School's literary magazine, Images on the Wind.[5] He was selected to read his work at the Loft bookstore in Minneapolis. In 1989 Somers was crowned homecoming king at Edina High School. He received a standing ovation from more than 1,000 fellow students at the school's homecoming rally and two more when he gave one of the commencement speeches at his graduation ceremony in June. He was selected "most respected person" by his class.[4] Despite a deteriorating body and balding hair, Somers walked down the halls of his high school with a cheerful face and air of confidence.
Somers was Christian and very spiritual. He was vice president of the Cross View Lutheran Church Youth Group for two terms and a member of the Oasis Senior Youth Group. He did volunteer work with Sister Jean's Mercy Missions Cookie Cart, a bakery in north Minneapolis, and went to Kentucky to help poor families rebuild their homes.[5] His courage was inspiring to the Edina community and his battle gained regional attention. In a 1989 interview in the Star Tribune, Somers said about his personal struggle:
I think the cancer has strengthened my character and it might have shaped my life. It's given me a focus on what I am and who I am. I don't think about death. The word doesn't bother me, but it gets in the way of the present. It gets in the way of having a good time with my friends and family.[4]
Somers attended St. John's University in Collegeville for only a week his freshman year of college before his illness forced him to return home. Spenser Somers died November 9, 1990 at the age of 18.[5] His death received wide attention in the Twin Cities area, and his funeral was attended by many in the community.
In 1997, Spenser's mother Karen, and his favorite writing teacher, Carolyn Rebholz, posthumously published his journal entries and poetry in a tribute to his life in Eating LIFE cereal with a bigger spoon than most.[6]
Spenser Somers Foundation
On 2000-11-09, exactly ten years after Somers' death, the Spenser Somers Foundation (SSF) was established to support the activities of under-privileged youth and people living with cancer.[7] The chairman of the foundation's board of directors is Chris Davis, who was Somers' next-door-neighbor and best friend.[8]
In order to further its goal, SSF began the Spenser Somers Fund to support expenses not covered by insurance and extracurricular activities for children with cancer and their families.
One of the organization's first projects was to raise funds for Total Victory Christian Center, an outreach church in Minneapolis that provides support for a local church and troubled inner-city youth.[7]
The Spenser Somers Foundation served as umbrella organization for the Phuket Project,[9] which sent volunteers and aid to rebuild areas in southern Thailand devastated by the December 2004 tsunami. More than 700,000 baht and hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours were spent helping to rebuild homes, schools, businesses, temples and community centers in Phang Nga Province, Khao Lak and Phuket.[10]
To raise funds for these activities, SSF holds an annual Real McCoy Golf Challenge.
Further reading
Somers, Spenser J. Eating LIFE Cereal with a Bigger Spoon than Most. Life's Destinations, 1997. ISBN0-9659779-0-0
References
^ ab"Spenser Somers Foundation" (PDF). Foundation Center. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
^State of Minnesota. Minnesota Death Index, 1908-1002. Minneapolis, MN, USA: Minnesota Department of Health. Ancestry.com. Minnesota Death Index, 1908-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2001.
^ abcPheifer, Pat. "Spenser Somers dies of cancer at 18". Star Tribune.
^Grossmann, Mary Ann (1998-04-26). "Midwestward, Ho! Regional Writers Provide Ample Opportunity To Rediscover Our Heartland Culture". St. Paul Pioneer Press.
^ ab"What is the Spenser Somers Foundation?". 2001. Retrieved 2006-12-16.
^Bill Moor. "Running along his path on faith and prayer". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 2006-12-16.
^"What do we do now?". Phuket Project. Retrieved 2006-12-16.
External links
Spenser Somers Foundation
March 13, 2023
spenser, somers, foundation, minnesota, based, charitable, foundation, that, raises, money, children, with, cancer, other, needy, causes, foundation, established, memory, spenser, somers, abbreviationssfformationnovember, 2000typecharitable, foundationheadquar. The Spenser Somers Foundation SSF is a Minnesota based charitable foundation that raises money for children with cancer and other needy causes The foundation was established in the memory of Spenser J Somers Spenser Somers FoundationAbbreviationSSFFormationNovember 9 2000TypeCharitable foundationHeadquartersEdina Minnesota United StatesKey peopleDan AromMarty CollinsChris DavisNick KennedyRevenue 2016 66 243 1 Expenses 2016 22 833 1 Websitewww wbr spensersomers wbr org Contents 1 Spenser Somers life 2 Spenser Somers Foundation 3 Further reading 4 References 5 External linksSpenser Somers life EditSpenser J Somers was born in Kansas City Missouri on February 21 1972 2 3 In 1984 his family moved to Edina Minnesota 3 Spenser known to his friends as Spense was active in sports and popular at school 4 In June 1985 a lump was found in his stomach which was diagnosed as Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor PNET a rare form of cancer That July Spenser s spleen and part of his stomach were removed in the first of many operations 3 Even after his diagnosis Somers continued to be active Despite a deteriorating body and balding hair he played basketball and baseball in grades 9 and 10 and was vice president of his junior class He was on the staff and was published in Edina High School s literary magazine Images on the Wind 5 He was selected to read his work at the Loft bookstore in Minneapolis In 1989 Somers was crowned homecoming king at Edina High School He received a standing ovation from more than 1 000 fellow students at the school s homecoming rally and two more when he gave one of the commencement speeches at his graduation ceremony in June He was selected most respected person by his class 4 Despite a deteriorating body and balding hair Somers walked down the halls of his high school with a cheerful face and air of confidence Somers was Christian and very spiritual He was vice president of the Cross View Lutheran Church Youth Group for two terms and a member of the Oasis Senior Youth Group He did volunteer work with Sister Jean s Mercy Missions Cookie Cart a bakery in north Minneapolis and went to Kentucky to help poor families rebuild their homes 5 His courage was inspiring to the Edina community and his battle gained regional attention In a 1989 interview in the Star Tribune Somers said about his personal struggle I think the cancer has strengthened my character and it might have shaped my life It s given me a focus on what I am and who I am I don t think about death The word doesn t bother me but it gets in the way of the present It gets in the way of having a good time with my friends and family 4 Somers attended St John s University in Collegeville for only a week his freshman year of college before his illness forced him to return home Spenser Somers died November 9 1990 at the age of 18 5 His death received wide attention in the Twin Cities area and his funeral was attended by many in the community In 1997 Spenser s mother Karen and his favorite writing teacher Carolyn Rebholz posthumously published his journal entries and poetry in a tribute to his life in Eating LIFE cereal with a bigger spoon than most 6 Spenser Somers Foundation EditOn 2000 11 09 exactly ten years after Somers death the Spenser Somers Foundation SSF was established to support the activities of under privileged youth and people living with cancer 7 The chairman of the foundation s board of directors is Chris Davis who was Somers next door neighbor and best friend 8 In order to further its goal SSF began the Spenser Somers Fund to support expenses not covered by insurance and extracurricular activities for children with cancer and their families One of the organization s first projects was to raise funds for Total Victory Christian Center an outreach church in Minneapolis that provides support for a local church and troubled inner city youth 7 The Spenser Somers Foundation served as umbrella organization for the Phuket Project 9 which sent volunteers and aid to rebuild areas in southern Thailand devastated by the December 2004 tsunami More than 700 000 baht and hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours were spent helping to rebuild homes schools businesses temples and community centers in Phang Nga Province Khao Lak and Phuket 10 To raise funds for these activities SSF holds an annual Real McCoy Golf Challenge Further reading EditSomers Spenser J Eating LIFE Cereal with a Bigger Spoon than Most Life s Destinations 1997 ISBN 0 9659779 0 0References Edit a b Spenser Somers Foundation PDF Foundation Center Retrieved 30 January 2018 State of Minnesota Minnesota Death Index 1908 1002 Minneapolis MN USA Minnesota Department of Health Ancestry com Minnesota Death Index 1908 2002 database on line Provo UT USA Ancestry com Operations Inc 2001 a b c About Spenser Spenser Somers Foundation 2001 Retrieved 2006 12 16 a b c Klobuchar Jim 1989 10 25 Spense is a Regular Kid But a Different One Star Tribune a b c Pheifer Pat Spenser Somers dies of cancer at 18 Star Tribune Grossmann Mary Ann 1998 04 26 Midwestward Ho Regional Writers Provide Ample Opportunity To Rediscover Our Heartland Culture St Paul Pioneer Press a b What is the Spenser Somers Foundation 2001 Retrieved 2006 12 16 Bill Moor Running along his path on faith and prayer South Bend Tribune Retrieved 2006 12 16 Contact Us Phuket Project Retrieved 2006 12 16 What do we do now Phuket Project Retrieved 2006 12 16 External links EditSpenser Somers Foundation Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Spenser Somers Foundation amp oldid 1122146603, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
