Third-grader Sam Celeste raised $10,038.58 sending letters to 350 of his friends, asking them to help to preserve his favorite fountain in downtown Colorado Springs.
His friends – courtesy of his father’s considerable Rolodex – include former national security adviser Sandy Berger and Beach Boys singer Mike Love. His father is Richard Celeste, president of Colorado College, Ohio governor from 1983 to 1991 and former ambassador to India.
Now Sam is the toast of the town – with his likeness popping out of a giant retro toaster in the city’s holiday parade earlier this month.
Sam’s original goal was to raise $2,501 Why the odd amount? “Because he’s an 8-year-old,” his mother, Jacqueline Lundquist, said.
The whimsical Uncle Wilber fountain would appeal to any 8-year-old. It has 52 pop-up jets, 200 water streams, dozens of fiber-optic lights and features fanciful characters popping out of a blue mushroom to play musical scores. It’s a centerpiece in the city’s downtown Acacia Park, a magnet for children to splash in, and a gathering spot for locals and tourists in the summer.
The results of Sam’s fundraising will go to the Friends of the Fountain Fund, the endowment for maintenance of the 4-year-old fountain.
“I’m hoping my own children will be able to go to Uncle Wilber fountain, and I’m hoping a lot of people could go to Uncle Wilber fountain with their kids,” Sam said Tuesday.
“It’s the most diverse place in Colorado Springs on any given day, with children of different faiths and ethnicities playing together in the fountain,” Lundquist said. “The stereotypes are washed away by the beauty of the fountain.”
Politicians across the country donated to Sam’s favorite fountain as well as Robert F. Kennedy’s daughter, Kerry; Dean Martin’s daughter, Gina; and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary.
The gifts ranged from $3.73 from a child’s piggy bank to $1,000 from a local donor.
“The hardest thing about it was that I got a cramp in my arm from signing all the letters,” Sam said.
Last month, Sam was asked to speak about his civic fundraising efforts at the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.
“I think it’s so incredible that he took it upon himself to raise money for the fountain,” said Kat Tudor, a Springs artist who created the fantasy fountain with her husband, Bob Tudor, and presented it as a gift to the city in 2001. “I find it incredibly touching that he found something he enjoys, and wants to help to make it possible for other children to enjoy it also.”
The Tudors also made the giant toaster from an old postal van to honor the boy.
The drivable, retro-looking toaster, covered with aluminum, pops up Sam’s likeness handpainted on a 6-foot slice of foam board.
“This has been an invaluable experience for our son,” Lundquist said. “We wanted Sam to learn from an early age that he can make a difference.”
He also got a lot of math experience as he added up the donations as they came in.
The fountain was named after Bob Tudor’s uncle, Wilber Fulker, who as principal of the Colorado Deaf and Blind School invented games and toys for students, including a tone-emitting baseball to help blind batters time their swing.
Staff writer Dave Curtin can be reached at 303-820-1276 or dcurtin@denverpost.com.
