The sunflowers may be starting to fade in a Plympton-Wyoming field, but the good that has come from a tribute to a two-year-old Thedford boy is still glowing.
Saturday, Brian Schoonjans invited friends and neighbours, and Max Rombouts’ family, to the sunflower field on Douglas Line to reveal visitors taking photos and flowers had left behind over $48,000; money Jamie and Kevin Rombouts plan to give to several charities including ChildCan and Make a Wish Foundation.
Jamie Rombouts says the response from the public to the tribute to her son who died of cancer has been overwhelming. She has met people who had children pass away or suffer from cancer who came to be in the field.
Schoonjans says it wasn’t anything they did; “This is beyond us; it was Max.” The seed dealer plans to open the field again next year.
Max’s doctor, – a researcher of childhood cancer – Alexandra Zorzi, is glad, saying this is a special place. “It’s comforting to know a family is surrounded by community.” And Zorzi says it’s not surprising because Max was one of a kind.
“He inspires me everyday…to make sure in the future, other Maxs are playing with us in this field.”