by Caroline Bredekamp for the Preston Times
Kendyl Driscoll and her Crew were hard at it again raising money for the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Family and classmates helped her serve up meal deals, which consisted of either a brat, hotdog or porkchop, baked beans, chips, cookie and a lemonade, while some just enjoyed and specially made lemonade, at a recent fundraising event near Twogood Park along Hwy 64. Around $7,500 was raised over the course of the day because of the generous support of the community and those passing through town.
We can’t thank everyone enough. Kendyl is extremely grateful for all of you that came out and supported this year’s food stand. She would like to personally thank everyone who donated cookies and buns for the meal, her crew who helped all day cutting, squeezing and shaking lemonades, her dad, who really is the “boss”, and anyone else that helped behind the scenes.
We hope to see all of you and more at this year’s SxS Ride that will be held on Saturday, October 25th, starting at the Downtown Pub, in Preston. This will be the 5th year for the ride.
More information for the SxS event can be found on the Downtown Pub’s Facebook Page.
(The following is Kendyl’s Story as written by her mother, Kendra): “When Kendyl was around the age of 2 1/2, she often complained of her belly hurting, had frequent diarrhea and blood in her stools. After seeing her primary doctor, the decision was made to refer her to a Gastroenterologist. After several lab tests and biopsies from a colonoscopy, Kendyl was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. She had many fails with oral antibiotics, several other colonoscopies, and when she was around 4, Kendyl’s family made the decision to transfer her care to the University of Iowa. She started with Dr. Bishop, and he spent so much time and detail with Kendyl and her parents at every visit. He started her on a new oral medication regimen that worked for a while but then her body began to reject it which led into other complications. She would experience chronic fatigue, low iron levels, weight loss and abdominal pain. She was then started on a medication that was an injection which was taught to do herself. That worked for a while but then again, her body became unresponsive to it which has led us to where we are now. She is currently doing infusion treatments every 8 weeks under Dr. Ebach’s care. This is Kendyl’s 5th year fundraising, and it all started with a little lemonade stand. She knew she wanted to give back to the hospital and to the kids who aren’t as fortunate as her to be able to come home after every checkup. Kendyl, and her family have had 4 side x side rides, and 5 big lemonade stands, raising over $100,000. Because of her dedication and commitment Kendyl has a named, inpatient room, located on Level 10 of the Children’s Hospital. Kendyl also served as one of the 2024 Children Miracle Network Champion Kids, and was recently awarded the Starfish award thru The Children’s Miracle Network. Kendyl is 15 years old and will be a sophomore at Easton Valley Highschool. She has a younger sister, Kenzley. Kendyl stays very active. She’s involved in volleyball, basketball, golf and softball. She is also a member of Student Council and BPA. Kendyl is a very smart, hardworking, and caring young lady. She works at Geno’s Pizza and also helps her dad, Corey, cater. She loves to help her mom, Kendra, with volunteering in the community. Whatever is asked of her, she does it. She’s always putting other people’s needs before hers. She may come off shy at first, but don’t let her fool you, she is a very bubbly, beautiful, belly laughing girl. She is so incredibly grateful for all the support she has received in her fundraising goals and can’t thank everyone enough.”
Ada, Claire, Kendyl, Jenna and Sophia- Kendyl’s friends support her and this generous cause. Known as Kendyl’s Lemonade Girls they create fair-style lemonade as part of the stand and the meal served.
Several people took their meals and lemonade and headed to the Twogood Park West Pavilion and had a picnic with others with the same idea!
The perfect spot for a Lemonade/Food Stand Fundraiser- near Twogood Park and along HWY64.
Despite the threat of inclement weather, the Annual Fundraiser was held and had a successful day of fundraising. All proceeds will be sent to the Stead’s Children’s Hospital in Iowa City.
