Kenton and Preston’s Apple Cider Stand: Honoring Grandpa’s Legacy and Sharing Hope
On October 5, Kenton and Preston, the two adorable sons of Jamey, hosted their second annual apple cider stand in South Bend, Indiana, in loving memory of their grandfather, Dr. James K. Welling. This year’s event was especially meaningful, raising over $3,500 to support the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) and marking a milestone as the first recipient of the Beyond Boundaries Incentive program.
Dr. James K. Welling, affectionately remembered as Grandpa, was more than a family man—he was a lifelong learner, teacher, and was steadfast in his hope even in the face of his diagnosis with bile duct cancer.
Jamey reflected, “The tradition of giving apples to show appreciation for teachers has been around for centuries, so it seems ‘just right’ that the grandsons host an apple cider stand fundraiser in Grandpa’s honor. My dad, a lifelong learner and educator, rightly predicted at the time of his bile duct cancer diagnosis, ‘We’re all gonna learn something from this.’ Through his battle with cancer and even in death, he continued teaching us, giving us a valuable education on how to live.”
The cider stand wasn’t just about raising money; it was about honoring Grandpa’s enduring lessons. As Jamey put it, “We’ve learned what it means to be human, that joy and suffering are part of the human experience. We’ve learned that endings don’t necessarily nullify hope, as we can keep hope alive for current and future patients and families affected by bile duct cancer. And we’ve learned how to live forever: you give, you care, and you love people like Grandpa did, and that love goes on and on and on.”
The First Beyond Boundaries Recipient: Doubling the Impact
This year, Kenton and Preston’s cider stand fundraiser became the first to benefit from the Beyond Boundaries Initiative, launched by Jason Scott, a CCF Board of Directors member and a legacy caregiver. The Beyond Boundaries program is designed to support promising community fundraisers after their launch and offers several unique benefits to elevate their impact.
Here’s how the Beyond Boundaries Initiative works:
- Community Fundraiser Mentorship: Fundraisers are matched with experienced CCF All-Star mentors who share valuable insights, answer questions, and help boost event participation.
- Marketing Resources: Participants receive professionally printed banners and yard signs to increase visibility and promote their events effectively.
- Donation Matching: All donations raised beyond the previous event’s total are matched, doubling the impact and amplifying support for cholangiocarcinoma research, awareness, and support programs.
By joining the Beyond Boundaries Initiative, fundraisers like Kenton and Preston gain expert guidance, professional marketing materials, and an extraordinary opportunity to maximize their efforts. With the support of the program, what started as a simple apple cider stand in honor of a beloved Grandpa has become a powerful community event with an incredible legacy of love, learning, and hope.
Thank you, Kenton and Preston, for your hard work and for showing us that small acts of kindness can make a big difference. And thank you to Jason Scott and his family for creating a program that helps these heartfelt efforts go even further. Together, we’re keeping the hope alive for all those affected by cholangiocarcinoma.