A classic summer tradition with a big heart is returning to Steinbach—Brooke and Koda's Iced Tea Stand is back, raising funds for families navigating childhood cancer.
Set for July 23 and 24 at 418 Walnut Street in Steinbach, the stand will feature all kinds of tasty treats. That includes iced tea, lemonade, water, soda, cookies, brownies, chips, Rocco’s Pizza, and more.
Brooke and Koda merch will also be for sale.
Who is the stand supporting this year?
Brooke Peters, 15 years old, has been running the stand for eight years now. She says this year, they're supporting a girl named Callie, who was diagnosed with B-ALL leukemia at three years old.
"When she was diagnosed, 90 per cent of her body was leukemia cells, which is insane at three years old," Peters says. "The first week of her diagnosis she had four blood transfusions and two platelet transfusions."
She says Callie's parents sent some of her bone marrow to the U.S. to help further research for the cancer.
In December, Peters says the girl developed pancreatitis from her chemotherapy treatments, which meant they had to stop. During that time, nine pounds of fluid built up around her tissues.
Several more complications followed—all before Callie turned four.
"She's been through more than most people have," Peters says.
Giving back to Brooke and Koda's Iced Tea Stand
This isn’t the first time the stand has touched lives in the community.
Four years ago, Brooke and Koda raised funds for Marek Hiebert, who was just five when he was diagnosed with cancer.
He's 10 now.
"I was in Paraguay on vacation, and then suddenly a bump appeared on my head, and whenever I touched it, it hurt," he recalls. "When we got back to Canada, I got a surgery on my head to remove that, so it doesn't hurt now."
This is now his third year helping run the stand and bake sale.
"I want to give back," he says.
Support the cause
Peters and Hiebert encourage the community to join their cause by placing orders on Brooke and Koda's Iced Tea Stand Facebook page, via email, or by showing up to the stand on the day.
Written with files from Corny Rempel