Watertown Community Rallies Around Samantha Bruns’ Recovery With GoFundMe and Stand Up for Sam Fundraiser
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Watertown Community Rallies Around Samantha Bruns’ Recovery With GoFundMe and Stand Up for Sam Fundraiser

Teen with red glasses and blue shirt stands in a hallway before a huge fern, holding a frond in her mouth; Northeast Radio SD logo above

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown community continues to rally around Samantha “Sam” Bruns as she recovers from a severe medical crisis linked to a rare chromosomal disorder. After intensive treatment at the Mayo Clinic, Sam is now home — but still requires significant medical support and repeated trips back to Rochester, Minnesota.


Sam, a Special Olympics athlete and local artist, is the daughter of Lee and Donna Bruns, known for their Little Free Produce Stand on 11th Street and 1st Avenue. Her rapid decline earlier this month led to urgent hospitalization at Mayo, prompting widespread community support.

Young woman in wheelchair holds a Feel Better! balloon outside a hospital entrance, with a caregiver smiling behind her.

Recovery Update: Slow but Steady Progress

In a new update shared by her father on Wednesday, Sam is home but continues to rely on a feeding tube, receiving three tube feedings per day. She is now able to take fluids orally and has begun taking small bites of solid food.

Her recovery is expected to be slow. The family has established care with a new local physician who is working closely with Mayo specialists, and they report steady improvements. Until Sam’s feeding tube is removed, her father says returning to work will be difficult.


The Bruns family also faces multiple upcoming Mayo appointments — including two in the next 10 days — requiring round‑trip travel from Watertown to Rochester, lodging, and unpaid time away from work.

The GoFundMe campaign titled “Support for Samantha Bruns’ Recovery” has now raised $7,145 of its updated $12,000 goal, with 59 donations. Funds help cover lodging, fuel, food, and lost income as the family splits time between Watertown and Rochester.


Direct donations can also be made through:

·         CashApp: $LeeBruns1

·         Venmo: @Lee‑Bruns‑1

·         PayPal: MrLeeBruns@gmail.com

·         GoFundMe: Support for Samantha Bruns’ Recovery

Organizers have enabled a monthly giving option at donor request


Stand Up for Sam Comedy Fundraiser – August 30

A benefit event, Stand Up for Sam, is scheduled for Sunday, August 30 at Country Road Barn. Hosted by Dan Bublitz Jr., Dan Bublitz Comedy, and 605 Speaks, the fundraiser will feature a full comedy lineup and a silent auction, with all proceeds supporting the Bruns family.


Event Details:

·         Location: Country Road Barn, 45648 164th St., Watertown

·         Silent Auction & Doors: 5:30 p.m.

·         Showtime: 7:00 p.m.

·         Age Restriction: 18+

·         Silent Auction Donations: dan@danbublitz.com


Performers include Travis Ruston, Aleda Windels, Luke Johnson, Jerry Irby, Alisha Rayne, Chris Freier, Timmy Williams, Koerner, Nathan Hults, John Small, and Dan Bublitz Jr. Lineup subject to change.

Young woman in blue Mayo Clinic shirt stands in a hallway before a huge fern, wearing glasses and holding a phone, calm expression

Organizers say the ongoing support reflects the impact Sam and her family have had on Watertown through years of generosity and community service.

“Sam’s journey is a marathon, not a race,” supporters wrote. “Many small seeds planted grow a forest.”

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