Sam Celeste Raised 10K for Uncle Wilber

December 02, 2005 – by Brian Newsome @ the Gazette

For the Celestes, fundraising is the family business. Richard F. Celeste, president of Colorado College and former governor of Ohio, has raised millions in his life for the school and past political campaigns. His wife, Jacqueline Lundquist, has raised tens of thousands for community groups. Now their 8-year-old son, Sam, is learning the art of solicitation. The boy raised $10,000 for the operation and maintenance of Uncle Wilber Fountain in Acacia Park. He will be honored for his efforts at 11:30 a.m. today at the fountain at the corner of Tejon and Bijou Streets. Richard Celeste and Lundquist routinely host donors in their home, attend functions and take on fundraising projects, the CC president said Thursday.

He raised millions when campaigning for governor and was brought to CC partly for his ability to raise money. Lundquist is active on about a dozen community projects. Sam, who’s been exposed to such events since he could stand, wanted a project of his own. He chose the downtown fountain, where he plays in the summer. Lundquist typed a letter her son dictated and he sent it to 350 people, asking for their support. Having access to his parents’ connections didn’t hurt. He received donations from Beach Boys lead singer Mike Love, Robert F. Kennedy’s daughter Kerri and former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, to name a few.

Kat Tudor and Bob Tudor, who created the fountain and donated it to the city of Colorado Springs in May 2001, created a likeness of Sam and his Scottish terrier, K.D., on large pieces of foam that will pop out of a giant, drivable toaster. It will be displayed when he’s honored today and in the Dec. 3 Festival of Lights Parade.

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