Anthony Rizzo joined these middle schoolers in supporting their hospitalized classmate
Henry Sembdner is a middle schooler in South Elgin, Ill., who was in the hospital following a beating at school. Sembdner is also a huge Cubs fan, so his classmates took to wearing Cubs gear to show their support while he focused on getting better.
They even had the support from one very prominent Cub himself:
Heard Henry's school will be wearing @Cubs gear tom to show their support Wear ur gear & I'll RT pics.Let's all show our support #StayStrong
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) February 7, 2017
The halls were filled with blue and red:
Supporting the @Cubs but most importantly supporting Henry @ARizzo44 ❤️💙💚 @sToRm_NaTiOn1 pic.twitter.com/vaKmoyZk6Y
— juullliiaa (@juliawafford) February 7, 2017
Supporting Henry by wearing Cubs gear! 🐻 #henrystrong 💚❤️💙 @ARizzo44 @Cubs @sToRm_NaTiOn1 pic.twitter.com/OYOSeSnd2z
— Taegan Rose ✰ (@Taeganvinarsky) February 7, 2017
Math classes geared up:
South Elgin math class supports you Henry!! @Cubs @ARizzo44 ❤️💙💚 @sToRm_NaTiOn1 #staystrong pic.twitter.com/zVUCjXavyj
— chad mogan 🇹🇩 (@Chad_Mogan) February 7, 2017
Even dogs wanted to let Henry know they were thinking of him:
#StayStrong Henry! You are so brave and we're rooting for you! ❤ @ARizzo44 @Cubs #HenryStrong (🐶 Insta: @rudyroodood) pic.twitter.com/I6KJI5Ensu
— Meredith Hodge (@meredithLhodge) February 7, 2017
Henry also had a pretty good offer on the table once he felt better:
Heard you are a big @Cubs fan Henry. When you are better I have a couple tickets and BP passes waiting for you at Wrigley. #StayStrong https://t.co/VYDFPE9rY0
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) February 7, 2017
Late Tuesday night, good news came from Henry's family: he returned home from the hospital:
@ARizzo44 #HENRYSTRONG You heard it here first...Henry is Home! pic.twitter.com/8fX5W2wqqS
— Karen Sembdner (@KarSluvsPlexus) February 8, 2017
That good news hit the local news, with ABC7 Chicago running a segment on its nightly broadcast:
Several Cubs fans then sent well-wishes to Henry themselves:
@MarkSuppelsa @ARizzo44 keep healing, we need you to cheer the Cubbies this year, Henry! ☺💙
— Extremely Crabby (@_auntmimi) February 8, 2017
#Henrystrong #staystrong that deserves a W! #FlyTheW
— Gregory Hoodin (@cincygreghoodin) February 8, 2017
So glad you're home, Henry! 💙 Keep building your strength so you can cheer on the Cubs to another WS Championship!
— Melissa 🏳️🌈 (@shortasaduck) February 8, 2017
Rizzo noticed and sent this warm greeting in response:
Glad you are home Buddy. Keep staying #HenryStrong. See you at Wrigley this summer. https://t.co/hJ8etgpgwE
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) February 8, 2017
Henry's family created a GoFundMe page to help with his medical bills and recovery, which you can donate to here. #StayStrong, Henry.