Menard community members are rallying to support 15-year-old high school freshman Kaden Lawler.
Lawler was diagnosed with a brain tumor in August 2019, and is scheduled for surgery Sept. 27, 2019, to remove it. According to a press release from Jelly Nonprofit Consulting, it will not be known if the tumor is cancerous or benign until surgery is performed.
Lawler's family faces a tremendous amount of out-of-pocket expenses. To help ease the family's financial burden, community volunteers have planned a day of fundraising events for Lawler.
On Saturday, Sept. 21, three fundraising events will take place in Menard.
A “Running for Kaden” 5K will begin at the Menard Chamber of Commerce, 100 E. San Saba Ave. Race-day registration opens at 7:30 a.m. and the race begins at 8 a.m. The registration fee is $20 per person. Children in strollers are free.
To register for the race, contact the Menard Chamber of Commerce at 325-396-2365 or Marcie Benavides at 325-203-0333.
Additionally, a bake sale will begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, in front of Lowe's Market, 410 Ellis St. (Hwy 83) in Menard.
A third event, “Kookin’ for Kaden,” will take place at Menard’s Low Water Crossing Park, along the banks of the San Saba River. A washer-pitching contest begins at 11 a.m. Entry fee is $40 per team with registration starting at 10:30 a.m. A barbecue meal for $12 per plate will be served at 11 a.m. The event will also include silent and live auctions of donated items.
Jerry and Stacy Lawler, Kaden’s parents, are appreciative of the outstanding community support.
In the release, the Lawler's are quoted as saying: “To our family, friends and community; You have truly touched our hearts with your love, friendship, generosity and prayers during this time. We deeply appreciate each and every contribution that has been made. We are so very grateful to everyone that has helped in some way or another. We thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts. May God bless you all.”
“Some would see this as a dark point in my life; I see this as a stepping stone to my bright future,” Kaden said in the release.
Residents from Menard and the Concho Valley region are invited to show their support for Kaden by participating in the events or making a donation. An account is available at First State Bank. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 38, Menard, TX 76859; or by calling 325-396-4550. The name on the account is Stacy Lawler.
