Schultz-Rathbun plans on becoming a member of the Free Burma Rangers, a group that describes itself as a humanitarian service movement. The FBR are to be “trained, supplied, and sent into areas under attack to provide emergency medical care, shelter, food, clothing, and human rights documentation,” according to its website.
Schultz-Rathbun, with his long red hair flowing from under a bandana, is a bit of an adventurer, as well. He says he has an adrenaline addiction.
So it was a perfect fit when he read about the Free Burma Rangers in a magazine.
The Daily Beast described the organization as “Doctors Without Borders … With Guns.”
This is not for the feint of heart.
“I guess it sounded like the best of both worlds,” he said. “I get to volunteer, really be able to help people, and it’s also pretty exciting.”
Less exciting, but still important work, is what he is doing this week.
Schultz-Rathbun and dozens of local athletes are raising funds for Shriners charities as part of the Freedom Bowl Classic. The football game, featuring recent graduates from Southwest Washington, is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at McKenzie Stadium.
Players also visited patients at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland earlier this week.
“I’m honored to be able to play in this game,” Schultz-Rathbun said.
It might be his last organized football game, too. He said playing college football is a possibility, but he is not certain. So he is hoping to make the most out of this charity game.
This will not be the last time he helps people in need, though.
Soon after learning about the Free Burma Rangers, he made contact with the organization.
“I don’t know if they are desperate for volunteers or what, but they accepted me,” Schultz-Rathbun said.
His plan is to leave in late August or early September, arriving in Thailand for training. He is working odd jobs to raise money for his travels.
Just the prospect of doing anything of this scale seemed impossible for Shultz-Rathbun just three years ago. In the winter of 2013, he had brain surgery to remove a benign tumor. His recovery was slow. Yet he made it back to school, then back to the football team, helping the Hawks to back-to-back state quarterfinals appearances.
Now, he is preparing for life after high school — a life of serving others.
For Schultz-Rathbun, a gap year is not a vacation.
