Anderson’s story

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How one family is fighting for the health of their son

By James Feichtner

Three-year-old Anderson Stump is your typical toddler: Joyful, full of energy and ever curious. But Anderson’s parents Kevin and Brandi Stump are struggling as they face an uncertain future for their treasured toddler.

Last May, Anderson developed a vascular abnormality in his right sinus cavity. Doctors at Riley hospital are calling it an Arteriovenous/Venous Malformation for now, but are not 100 percent clear on the diagnosis and are not ruling out malignancy. Yet despite Anderson’s situation, he’s still full of joy.

“This situation has not slowed him down,” Kevin said.

But with Brandi currently at home from work with her newborn daughter, Kevin is the only source of income for the family of five. Anderson’s costly medical expenses prevent his father from taking off work, forcing him to miss his son’s doctor appointments.

“I can’t afford to not be at work, and I want to be there for his appointments. It’s tough. I want that direct contact,” he said.

Recently things have brightened up for the Stump family. Thanks to the hard work of Anderson’s grandmother, Lori Baumgardt, and the support of the Fraternity of Eagles, a benefit has been put together to help support the family in their time of need.

“I decided I’m doing it. I just put my foot down and went into it,” Baumgardt said.

Baumgardt, who works at A Hair Off Main in Zionsville, has always had a caring nature. As a member of the FOE, she is no stranger to lending a helping hand. She said that even if it weren’t her grandson she would’ve considered taking similar action.

“I would have done this whether it was somebody I didn’t know or somebody not related. I’m having fun, and it’s amazing how people just open their hearts up and have donated, and have done the things they’ve done,” Baumgardt said.

Working three jobs herself, Baumgardt is putting much of her spare time into the event. She has planned at an eventful evening for all who plan on attending the benefit.

“We’re doing a dinner and we’re going to have an auction and then we have a band that’s donating their time,” she said.

Both Kevin and Brandi are baffled by the amount of support they have had, and continue to receive.

“It’s really nice to see the community come together, especially people that I haven’t talked to or seen in a couple years,” Brandi said.

“Folks that you know and even folks that you don’t know have contributed,” Kevin said. “It’s amazing to know that there are people out there, still, that will do something for someone they don’t even know. It’s very humbling, to say the least.”

Brandi said she’s not only appreciative of the monetary contributions, but that just having her family in the community’s thoughts means a lot to them.

“It just truly means the world to us. Regardless if it’s praying for him or helping my mom out, it’s just nice to know we have a great community that we live in,” she said.

The benefit will take place Aug. 30 at the Lebanon Fraternity of Eagles location at 2140 N Lebanon St. It will include a barbeque dinner, a charitable auction and live music. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for kids.

There will also be a motorcycle benefit ride that morning. Registration starts at 10 a.m. Kickstands go up at 11:30 a.m. Admission is $20 for singles and $35 for couples.

Donations can be made payable to Anderson Stump sent to P.O. Box 63, Lebanon, IN 46052.  Donations made towards the benefit’s auction can be dropped off or sent to the Lebanon FOE office.

For more information on the benefit contact Lori Baumgardt at 440-8793. Contact Jeff Wilson at 765-336-9391 for more information on the ride.


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