By Robin Alberti
RUTLAND — Evelyn Bartenstein was a vibrant young girl from Rutland who lost her life too soon. She was born with handicaps that would have stifled so many, but she never let her challenges hold her back. Her exuberant smile and hot pink crutches were seen around Rutland, and she always brighten other people’s day. She loved to dance and play dress up just like any girl her age. She aspired to be a nurse, so she would be able to help others, ever thankful for all who helped her.
After her passing, a community scholarship program was established in Evelyn’s name.
A fundraiser was held Sunday, Aug. 24 in Main Street Park, Rutland.
The Evelyn’s Fund provides money on an as-needed basis to those children who attend Rutland City Schools who want to participate in extracurricular activities that they may not otherwise be able to afford. The Evelyn’s Fund grants small awards to local students and will also grant large academic scholarships to the classmates of Evelyn — the graduating class of 2018.
All musicians and entertainers who took the stage Sunday hailed from Rutland High School.
Magician Ryan Mangan engaged and entertained the crowd between musical performances.
Common Face duo Carly Booth and Christie Calabrese began the evening with a poignant performance, followed by Breaking Vinyl, made up of band members Jacob Tanen, Noah Tanen and Brendan Wright.
Donations can be made to Evelyn’s Fund by mailing checks to: Evelyn’s Fund, 22 Deer St, Rutland, VT. For more information, email evelynsfund@comcast.net.
