Samson Vlahos Memorial Kids Muddy Madness for St Jude Endowment Fund
Consistent with the charitable purposes of MCF, the purpose of the fund is to provide annual grants in support of the Kids Muddy Madness for St Jude fundraiser, Morton IL.
KIDS MUDDY MADNESS FOR ST JUDE FUNDRAISER: Each July, kids ages 2-17 have a blast getting muddy while raising money for St. Jude during the annual mud run fundraiser at Westwood Park in Morton, IL. Proceeds support the Morton to Peoria St. Jude Satellite Run.
Sam Vlahos loved participating in Kids Muddy Madness as a child and later volunteered to help with set up and day of the event as a young adult. After his passing in November 2024, his parents established this fund in his memory to provide permanent annual support for the fundraiser. CLICK HERE to learn more about this event.
Sam was a 2022 graduate of Morton High School and a senior at Bradley University majoring in construction management. He and Savannah were set to graduate a year early together in May of 2025. They were planning to continue their journey through life together starting with their July 25, 2025 wedding.
He was co-owner of Vlahos Bros LLC with his brother and best friend, Max. They made the best team with Max being known as the dreamer and Sam as the one who made sure those dreams became a reality. Sam was not just a leader, but the heart and soul of the business. His dedication, vision and passion for excellence shaped the company and left an unforgettable mark on everyone who knew him. Sam’s legacy will live on in his work and the countless lives he has touched. He was a humble man that never boasted about his many achievements.
He also worked at UCM and was recently offered a full-time position that he was ready to accept.
His love of boulders not only led to a collection, but also his love of the construction field. Sam loved to be outside and was not afraid to get dirty.
His never-ending patience in teaching and helping others, led to including not just his brother, but all he considered to be family in his business, as they were welcomed with open arms to lend a helping hand. Sam especially treasured his time spent on the job with his "little brother," Jacob, and his "little helper," Riley, as well as the support of his many family members.
He lived his life to the fullest and never had any regrets. Sam always did everything he wanted to do. He loved his family and friends with all of his heart. They were everything to him. To Sam, it didn’t matter how much time passed between gatherings, he always picked right up with his many friends. Once a friend, you were always a friend of his as he made time for everyone in his life.
According to Sam, there were never enough hours in the day to accomplish what he set out to do. He was known to say, “If only there were a few more hours” and “I’ll be there shortly.” Sam’s positive outlook on life was repeated often through his phrase, “It will all work out.” Something Savannah heard often while planning their wedding.
As a permanent endowment held at the Morton Community Foundation, this fund allows anyone who wishes to come together in support of this cause to contribute, enabling it to grow and ultimately create larger and larger grants to support the St Jude Morton to Peoria Run over time. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to this meaningful endowment fund, please click the button below for online donations. Alternatively, you can mail a check to 135 S 1st Avenue, Morton, IL 61550, to contribute directly.
**Prefer to make a tax-advantaged gift of stock instead of cash? Visit our stock gifting page.**
Are you a Caterpillar Employee or Retiree?
The Caterpillar Foundation is proud to offer the year-round Matching Gifts Program to support their employees, U.S. retirees and board of directors in their contributions to worthy causes. Eligible Caterpillar participants may request an annual total maximum 1:1 match of $10,000 USD each calendar year to eligible charities to which contributions are tax deductible. The Morton Community Foundation is an eligible charity. So, if you are an eligible Caterpillar participant, you may submit any donations to this fund for an equivalent match, up to your total maximum of $10,000 per year. CLICK HERE to link to the Caterpillar Foundation’s Matching Gift website.