THE FIGHT CONTINUES - Finly’s Wings at Work is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018 after the Budach family lost their daughter at only seven years old. Every summer the organization holds a golfing fundraiser, followed by a concert to show appreciation. This year the concert was moved to Broadway in New Richland and asked for free will donations to help the Wacholz family. Four-year old Rourke Wacholz was recently diagnosed with leukemia. 

By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor

The NRHEG community threw a party Saturday night, in New Richland.

Finly’s Wings at Work and New Richland Liquor Company worked together to host and sponsor a benefit concert performed by the Blue Ringers, to raise money for Rourke Wacholz. Finly's Wings at Work is a non-profit organization created in 2018 by Nick and Erin Budach after the loss of their daughter Finly.

Rourke is the four year old son of Chelsey and Michael Wacholz, and grandson of Kris and Lynn Wacholz, as well as Dalys and Diane Waltz. In March of 2021 he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. 

Rourke recently started undergoing treatment. A handful of events have already happened and will continue to take place in order to help support the Wacholz family. Saturday night was a good example of NRHEG residents supporting each other in a time of need. 

A large crowd attended the performance Saturday night. “What do you say for people in hard times like this?” Karl Proehl, owner of New Richland Liquor said. “All I can say is that it was a good night. It was a party for Rourke Wacholz.”

Saturday’s events became a reality after Nick Budach of the non-profit group Finly’s Wings at Work approached the Wacholz family with the idea. “We put on a concert each year as a thank you to the community,” Budach said. “This year we used it to raise money for Rourke.”

In addition to sponsoring the concert, Finly’s Wings at Work also hosted an annual golfing fundraiser at Riverview Golf course Saturday afternoon. The afternoon fundraiser included a balloon release and prayer, and drew a crowd of about 250 people, 104 of whom were golfers. “This annual event is to raise money for children and to remember Finly,” said Budach.

Saturday’s events continued the NRHEG community’s fight to help the Wacholz family. 

“We raised money for a good family,” Budach said. “Helping raise money for children in need is what Finly’s Wings was created to do.” 

About a month ago the Willows in New Richland hosted a brunch to help raise money for Rourke and the Wacholz family. The next event scheduled to help the family will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday August 1 at the Geneva Community Center. This event will include a silent auction, a free will donation for food, and a bake sale. 

Persons interested in helping can purchase T-Shirts online at: stores.courtsportsandmore.com/Rourke. Those interested in donating for the silent auction or bake sale can contact Amanda Patterson at 507-402-0716. Monetary donations can be made out to Michael or Chelsey Wacholz and can be mailed or dropped off at Roundbank, P.O. Box 667, Waseca, MN, 56093, Memo: Rourke Wacholz Benefit. Venmo: @ROURKE-WACHOLZ. Caring bridge site: www.caringbridge.org/visit/rourkewacholz.