Leo’s-Legacy

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Leo’s-Legacy

Raising $ to help with organ transplant costs. We encourage organ, blood, and bone marrow donations!

05/11/2026

The countdown is on!!

The Leo’s Legacy Burger Fry is less than a month away, have you marked your calendars? Tell your friends and get ready for delicious burgers on June 8th!!

04/24/2026

BOARD MEMBER HIGHLIGHT 💚💙

Being part of Leo’s Legacy means so much as it focuses on the need for organ donation. Being able to help those in need of the life saving task of organ donation. Even the simple thing as a blood donation and how that can save a life is so rewarding know someone gets to share an extra day or years with their loved ones. I’ve had the direct experience from both sides of the process. One being the legacy of Leo and the other having a relative receive a life saving heart transplant. Both are amazing stories and both have reason to continue this awareness. That is why I enjoy being part of Leo’s Legacy.

04/23/2026

BOARD MEMBER HIGHLIGHT 💚💙

Sadie Lipetzky is the current Grants and Institutional Support Manager at The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business in 2022 with a MA-Business in Arts and Creative Enterprise Leadership. Sadie grew up with and was involved in many performing arts activities with Leo’s younger brothers, John and Simon.

Fun facts:
-I have a twin brother
-I teach marching band and indoor drumline
-Recent secret talent discovery: really good at taping and mudding drywall! 😄

04/22/2026

BOARD MEMBER HIGHLIGHT 💚💙

Michele earned her BS and MS degrees in Agriculture and Microbiology from North Dakota State University, followed by a PhD in Health Science. She lives in Sioux Falls with her husband, Josh, their three children-Cole, Meghan, and Carter-and their goldendoodle, Luna.

I joined Leo’s Legacy because being part of an organization that supports others with empathy and purpose aligns with my values and my desire to help create lasting positive change.

04/21/2026

BOARD MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 💚💙

My name is Sally and Leo is my son. Leo’s Legacy matters to me because of the many ways we are able to help others during an emotional, unexpected, and challenging time. Transplant stories are truly miraculous.... they are both life-changing and lifesaving! I encourage you to read Leo’s Story on our website. I have been an RN for almost 20 years. I enjoy trying new recipes, playing piano, and watching my five grandkids in their different activities and sporting events.

Fun facts:

Yesterday I received our first donation related to our upcoming fundraiser! I saw a retired nurse I used to work with, and I was buying dill chips for burgers. She had taken care of Leo a time or two. I thought that was cool!

I originally went to college at SDSU in hopes of becoming a band director, but my dad convinced me that there were no female band directors, and I would never find a job! Times have sure changed.

I taught myself how to play the piano out of pure boredom. After a few years of doing it “my way”, I took piano lessons. I had learned too many bad habits from teaching myself that my teacher, Penny, would just give me fun stuff I could figure out on my own rather than going through the torture of teaching me proper technique. I am still playing for the same children’s church choir in which Sadie and Olivia (two of our other board members) sang in!

04/20/2026

It is volunteer appreciation week!

Today we want to send our biggest thank yous to all of our volunteers that have helped us with our volunteer needs! A couple weeks ago some of our volunteers were able to help at the Journey concert at the Denny Sanford Premier Center! We enjoy getting to raise money in simple ways! If you would like to join our team of volunteers, please reach out!

Stay tuned on volunteer feature posts from our board members!

04/14/2026

“The ever-turning pinwheel symbolizing the ‘Gift of Life’ has eight spokes supported by one stem, representing the eight lives potentially saved by one Hero’s decision to be an organ donor.”

This doesn’t just represent your decision to be a hero for up to eight people, but it also is an amazing symbol of Leo and his decision to be a hero to many. His decision to check the box meant that his pinwheel got to keep spinning in the lives of many, that is why our symbol is the pinwheel!

Our pinwheel doesn’t just catch eyes but it helps us tell the story of Leo and why organ donation matters.

Spring is the time to see pinwheels all over, share your pinwheel pictures in the comments or tag us, let’s share the importance of Leo’s decision and organ donation!

04/10/2026

Leo’s Mother, Salleen Schumacher , shares Leo’s Story on our website but we would love to share a snippet here to share our why: “We drove three plus hours to Sioux Falls in the middle of a cold, windy December night. When we arrived at the hospital, we learned that Leo would likely not survive and there appeared to be little to no brain activity. We also learned that Leo had “checked the box” to be an organ donor. The Life Source RN facilitator spoke to us with the deepest of grace, asking how we felt about donating Leo’s major organs. Without hesitation, we all unanimously agreed Leo’s last wish would be to save another person’s life.

That day, Leo received his last rites. He was surrounded by many family members who came to support us during this shocking, and surreal time. We took turns holding his hand, talking to him, sharing stories, and praying for the success of the transplant surgeries. Once brain testing showed no brain activity, Leo was declared dead but left on life support. At this time, the energy shifted to finding recipients for his major organs. We were updated very regularly as the recipients were chosen. As we were made aware of the age, gender, interests, the state of residence, and what organ each would receive, we knew that we were experiencing multiple miracles! We cried tears of joy each time we learned of each recipient for Leo’s organs. In our deepest sorrow as a family, we could not have imagined any higher emotion than experiencing this- giving the gift of life to another family just before Christmas!

Sally then writes: “Our hope is that Leo’s Legacy will not only bring awareness to organ donation, but moreover, those in need of a transplant will not be excluded from receiving a life-saving organ transplant due to lack of insurance or an inability to pay. As Leo’s family, our hope is that by sharing Leo’s story, Leo’s Legacy can give hope to those in financial need by providing necessary monetary resources. Please consider giving to Leo’s Legacy. You will truly be donating to the miracle of life... the greatest gift of all!”

This is our why. To share Leo’s story, to honor him, share his legacy, and leave a legacy on others.

04/05/2026

Our dogs are all dressed up for Donate Life month…are your pets dressed up?!

04/01/2026

It is officially Donate Life Month!!

This year’s theme is very near and dear to us as it is Leave a Legacy! As Leo’s Legacy we hope to honor Leo and show how much organ donation and this organization mean to us during the month of April!

Stay tuned for posts and ways that you can show your love for month!!

01/22/2026

More patient care baskets for the Sanford Apartments were dropped off! Thank you for continuing to support Leo’s Legacy! We couldn’t do this without you!

Address

921 N Sioux Boulevard
Brandon, SD
57005

Telephone

+15074615224

Website

http://www.Leos-legacy.org/

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