Music Scholarship In Honor of Chris & Jack Ruckman Announced

It's been a little over two months since 14-year-old Christopher and 12-year-old John "Jack" Ruckman of Rockford were killed by their father, and ever since then the boys' mother has been hard at work to honor them.

Since shortly after her sons' tragic deaths, Heidi Ruckman has been taking the necessary steps to establish a not-for-profit in Chris and Jack's names that will provide music scholarships for high school seniors "whose lives have been made better because of their love for music". The not-for-profit is now officially up and running, and the first benefit for the Chris and Jack Ruckman Music Scholarship Fund has been announced.

Heidi Ruckman reached out to JB and I shortly after her sons' deaths to thank us for the things we said and wrote about the tragedy, and we are both continually amazed by her strength. As a mom, I don't think I could survive living through the extreme rage and grief I can only imagine Heidi must feel. I would still be curled up in a ball in my bed crying, but not Heidi, she's out there honoring her boys the best way she knows  how, and I am completely in awe.

When Heidi sent us the info about the upcoming benefit we told her we hoped she was doing well, and promised we would do all we could to support the cause. Her response left us in awe of her strength once again. She said, "With the grace of God and the love of our amazing community, I’m trying to live up to the challenge I made to those at the boys’ funeral...”do better, be better, leave this world a little better.”

Please do what you can to support the Chris and Jack Ruckman Music Scholarship Fund and the amazingly inspirational Mom whose one mission is to honor the memory of her beloved sons.

Buy tickets for the upcoming benefit in St. Charles here, or mail a check made out to the "Chris and Jack Ruckman Music Scholarship Fund"  to P.O. box 398, Cherry Valley, IL, 61016.

You are in our thoughts and prayers, Heidi. Thank you for everything. Your strength, your inspiration, your mission...thank you for all of it. I'm sure Chris and Jack are looking down bursting with pride.

Catch Lil Zim on ‘Q98.5 Mornings with Lil Zim & JB’ on Q98.5 from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook