Take a sneak “peak” at Eric’s Promise 2025 and where it is today. The Peak is here and it is lovely, noble and true. With my Mom dying January 24, 2026, it is time to keep things moving forward in the most genuine, truthful and heartfelt way, all by the Power of God. God’s Glory is what built this and is what continues to build it.

Eric was a Senior at Marian High School when he died suddenly in a single car accident on Valentine’s Day 2002. The night before he died, my Mom was with him, sitting on his bed watching him clean his room. This was the night that Eric expressed his heart to my Mom, about his life change, which was spurned by Lent 2002.

Eric ended up collecting 4 bags of clothes to give to St. Vincent de Paul Society that night. We always gave to Goodwill so my Mom was a bit surprised at this request but she honored it. Eric died instantly the next day on Valentine’s Day and was not able to deliver these bags. My mom delivered them in the coming days after.

It was Ash Wednesday, 2-13-2002 (my Great Uncle Marvin’s birthday) when Eric professed to my Mom his Lenten Promise: to be more giving, not lie so much and to do more random acts of kindness.

Eric always had just given up candy for Lent but nonetheless God had a plan and it was coming to pass in 2002. Gummy bears were Eric’s favorite. On church Sundays I would always ask him to share the red and white ones with me.

My Mom also wrote about this very night for his eulogy and it was read at his Funeral.

A month after Eric died our family was invited to Marian High School for a memorial service to honor him. During the offertory hundreds of bags of gently used material goods were brought to the altar. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. To know my brother is loved is all I ever want. My every breath, just the same as my Mother’s, is to make sure that his legacy lives on but not in our own selfish ways. We are to unite. We are to be the salt. We are to be the light. We are to walk in this and by faith. We are to spread the power of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ but in our actions, not just spoken beliefs.

ALL ARE WELCOME.

At one point in time I was coordinating 60 businesses, churches, schools and organizations for Eric’s Promise on behalf of St. Vincent de Paul Society in St. Joseph County, Indiana. My Mother and I were speaking to schools, the news and anyone that invited us. We have received so much support from all over the world but most importantly we know Eric’s Spirit in Christ is alive and we are keeping our eyes on this Mission.

In 2011 Eric’s Promise was the most successful drive in the history of St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph County, Indiana. Let’s take this and multiply it! Let’s help whatever organizations draw us closer to love in this same Spirit. That is the point. Eric’s Promise is to be more giving, not lie so much and do more random acts of kindness. It is not limited.

God says to Go BIG!

Eric was always a friend to all. Jesus Christ truly was and is the Author of Eric’s life and death.

My Mother was a missionary, as am I. Before Saint Mother Teresa died, my Mom had a chance to meet her in Calcutta, (while on a mission trip for nursing) and in that Holy Moment, a ripple beyond measure and words was born. This was in the mid 1990’s.

The year Eric died (2002) my Mother went to Medjugorje and saw the Host beating in the Sun. She knew then that her Mission with Eric’s Promise was to continue. She took the steps and leaps needed, that God planted within her to make sure that the world not only continues Eric’s Promise but understands what it means to live for others. In the last handful of years, my Mother and I joined forces in a new way. She passed on the torch to me at my 40th birthday, in this same Spirit and we have continued to grow in the Power of God and the ways of the Holy Spirit.

Other Acts of Faith from Eric before he died:

1. Eric used the $5 that his Grandma gave him in a card for Valentine’s Day and gave it to his friend so his friend’s girlfriend could have a rose for Valentine’s Day. This is Eric. Giving everything he had so someone else would be comforted and loved.

That is what his legacy truly is about. It does not conform to any one thing except following Jesus. The Legend of the Egg is ALIVE AND WELL!!!

2. Eric was high energy even when his heart was hurting. He was always making people feel welcome, loved and cherished everywhere he was. Smiling, opening doors, lifting others up and many things beyond words and knowing were everyday happenings.

3. Eric didn’t know any other way to be, than to include everyone in the love within him.

4. Eric made sure his teachers and classmates at Marian knew how valued they were. He made music (back when there were cds) for his friends and a teacher at Marian High School.

5. Eric always had words of encouragement on his lips and this translated in a language of knowing with those that were connected to him.

6. Eric was and is an everyday Saint. Over 400,000 lbs of gently used material goods and countless ripples of Christ in Action have been created by this promise. He was the brightest light, always listening to others and helping them in any way that inspired him to do. God used Eric’s death for His Glory. That is what Saints do. They die for God to be known, loved and served.

7. Marian High School holds an annual scholarship dinner and Eric is one of the many gifts this community gives through an offering of $1,000 to an incoming freshman. This scholarship has existed ever since the year Eric died in 2002. This year, many many friends of Eric’s, 23 years later, donated towards it. This is Eric’s Promise. When we use the love that Eric gave us and give it back to him through acts of faith, hope and love. This is what it means to be successful.

8. God has now brought in the gift of the Arts, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Francis. This gift is specifically moved in the Holy Spirit to help those with disabilities.

The compass is compassion. The compass is Mercy. The compass is kindness. The compass is boldness. The compass is courage. The compass is inclusivity. The compass is provided by the Grace of God. The compass is being obedient to God.

Godspeed.

Love, Eric’s sister, Melissa Schroder