by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
A solemn quiet settled over more than 100 observers on the morning of Oct. 7 as the names of precious deceased children were read, one by one, in front of the Angel of Hope statue in Sartell.
And then, after each name was announced, one or more people walked up to the Angel of Hope and placed a long-stemmed white flower at the base of the statue.
It all took place just before the first annual Rays of Hope 5k Walk in memory of BriAnna Rose Kruzel, who died at home suddenly of natural causes Sept. 28, 2013. Kruzel, the daughter of Randy and Tami Kruzel of Sartell, was only 18 years old.
Later, the Kruzels created a foundation named “What Would Bri Do?” to raise funds for good causes such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education Dance, student scholarships and other needs.
The Kruzels succeeded in raising funds for the installation of the bronze Angel of Hope statue on the shore of Lake Francis across from the new Sartell Community Center. Each year, on Dec. 6, people gather in the small plaza by the angel for a candlelight vigil in memory of babies and young people who have died.
Besides honoring the children who have passed on, the Rays of Hope 5k Walk raised funds for the next candlelight vigil and to help maintain the Angel of Hope Garden. Before the walk, participants gathered for fun activities inside the Sartell Center. The Angel of Hope remembrance ceremony started at 10 a.m., and the walk started at 10:30 a.m. A cloudy, somewhat chilly morning suddenly gave way to a burst of sunshine and warmth just as the walk was about to begin.
What Would Bri Do?
BriAnna Kruzel was very fond of helping others, of joining in all sorts of volunteer activities.
In 2013, she was honored with a Youth Award from the St. Cloud Optimist Club for her tireless volunteering. That same year, she was awarded a Big Sister of the Year award from Big Brothers Big Sisters for her work with the organization and her bonds of friendship with a Little Sister. She was also active in church activities, the Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education Dance program, Girl Scouts and the Lone Eagles Auto Club.
Kruzel’s constant caring, compassion, giving and volunteering are what her parents, friends and well-wishers succeed in doing through the “What Would Bri Do?” foundation.
Its philosophy is direct and simple:
“We honor the memory of BriAnna by striving always to be kind, helpful and compassionate. We lend an ear to a person who needs it, help out our community in any way we can or simply offer a reassuring smile to be a force for positivity in the world.”
With that goal in mind, the foundation has donated tens of thousands of dollars to good local causes.
Flowers lie at the base of the Angel of Hope statue in Sartell. They were placed there Oct. 7 by participants of the Rays of Hope 5k Walk to raise funds for the “What Would Bri Do?” foundation.
Amelia Schmitz of Richmond and her daughter, Bristol, 4, place a flower at the base of the Angel of Mercy in Sartell Oct. 7 just before the Rays of Hope Walk begins. The flower is in memory of Roscoe Siestema of Pennock who died on the day he was born. Roscoe was a cousin of Schmitz’ husband.
Rays of Hope participants prepare to set out on their 5k Walk the morning of Oct. 7.
Young people walk from the Angel of Hope statue after placing flowers in memory of children who have died.
