Money raised in honor of Caleb Schwartz donated to Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association

(25News Now) - The Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association received a big check from the organizer of this summer’s “Cups for Caleb” event.

Back in July, Caleb Schwartz’s friends sold cups of lemonade at a stand on Detweiler Drive in memory of Caleb who had Down syndrome and had recently died from complications from a heart defect.

Caleb’s cousins in St. Louis held a similar fundraiser there.

His close friend and cousin Joey Wilhite shared just how much he meant to him and why he and countless other friends decided to sell lemonade in honor of their late friend.

“So we did this thing to raise money for Caleb who passed so all the money is going to the Down Syndrome Association so we can keep his memory alive,” he said.

Cups for Caleb raised over $8,000 for the Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association.

The Schwartz family shared in a statement that “he would have been so very excited to see all of these people make such a big difference in his name.”