In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, students from the Culpeper Technical Education Center (CTEC) Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) program launched a LEGO drive to support "Team Kendrick." The drive was organized in memory of Kendrick Jenkins, a 2020 Eastern View High School (EVHS) graduate and Sheriff's Office Cadet, who had a deep love for LEGOs and tragically passed away after battling childhood cancer in 2021.
HOSA, a student organization for high school and post-secondary students interested in healthcare careers, demonstrated the compassion and dedication of future healthcare professionals through this initiative. The CTEC HOSA chapter collected a total of 226 LEGO sets as of Friday, September 20, 2024 when Kendrick’s parents came to CTEC to meet the students and receive the donations. The donated LEGO sets came from classmates, CTEC staff, and members of the community, all eager to honor Kendrick’s legacy.
CTEC Medical Assistant teacher and HOSA sponsor Jeanie Barlow shared that one of the core values of HOSA is serving others. Since September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, the students decided that they wanted to do something to enrich the lives of childhood cancer patients. She said, “I was the school nurse at EVHS when Kendrick was there. He graduated with my oldest daughter. When I mentioned Team Kendrick and their LEGO drive to our chapter, they were all for it.”
A significant contribution to the drive came from Culpeper Middle School’s (CMS) seventh-grade ACE students, who partnered with CTEC HOSA. The ACE students held a fundraiser, raising $600 to purchase 27 LEGO sets. CTEC HOSA sponsors, Barlow and Mary Hart, CTEC EMT instructor, along with HOSA officers, gratefully accepted the donations from the CMS students.
Additional donations came from Spotsylvania Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, which contributed 24 LEGO sets, and CTEC Medical Assistant student Michelle Miller and her mother, who together donated 20 sets. Reflecting on the generosity of the community, Barlow said, “I never imagined the love and support to be this expansive.” She continued, “Our community has helped make it possible to enrich over 200 children’s lives. It’s incredible!”
On Friday, September 20th, Kendrick’s' parents visited CTEC to personally accept the donations, marking a heartfelt moment of remembrance and community support. His mother, Tammy Souder, tearfully thanked the students, and told them about Kendrick, his journey, and his passion for LEGOs. His father, Jonathan Jenkins, added, “This is going to help a lot of kids in the hospital.” They explained that the LEGO sets would be delivered some time in December at the conclusion of their fall drive, and they invited the CTEC students to help with the deliveries.
Through their organization, Team Kendrick, Kendrick’s parents have created an annual LEGO drive in his memory. The drive takes place in the fall, with a kick off event followed by collection boxes placed around town. Last year, the entire drive brought in a total of 256 LEGO sets. This year, with the CTEC HOSA drive, they are starting their fall collection with almost as many sets as they ended with last year. In December, Team Kendrick delivers the LEGO sets to pediatric cancer centers for the children battling childhood cancer. This year’s kick-off event will be on October 19 from 12:00pm to 8:00pm at Death Ridge Brewery. For more information, visit their Facebook page @TeamKendrick. Donations will be accepted at the kick-off event, and throughout Culpeper in October and November. Donations are also accepted through the Team Kendrick Amazon Wishlist.
The CTEC HOSA students’ LEGO drive not only honored the memory of Kendrick Jenkins but also embodied the spirit of community and compassion that defines both the school and the broader Culpeper area. By rallying classmates, staff, and local organizations to support Team Kendrick, these students demonstrated how collective efforts can make a meaningful impact in the lives of children battling cancer. As the LEGO sets make their way to pediatric cancer centers later this year, the drive will stand as a testament to Kendrick’s legacy and the generosity of a community united in love and remembrance.