If you caught the Country 107 morning show Served up by A&W Steinbach recently, you probably heard Brooke Peters and Marek Hiebert talking about baking fails, favourite iced tea flavours, and why a drill-powered spoon is the key to smooth stirring.
They joined us in the Country 107 studio, sponsored by LMS Ag Equipment, to chat about something pretty special — Brooke and Koda’s Iced Tea Stand, which is back this summer on Wednesday and Thursday, July 23 and 24 at 418 Walnut Street in Steinbach.
It’s a two-day fundraiser packed with treats, smiles, and one very important mission: supporting families navigating childhood cancer.
This year, the funds will go to help Callie, a young girl who was diagnosed with B-ALL leukemia at just three years old.
A sweet tradition with a strong purpose
Brooke is just 15 years old but already has eight years of fundraising under her belt. Four years ago, this event raised money for Marek, who was going through cancer treatment at the time.
Today, Marek is 10 — and not only cancer-free, but now one of the key players behind the stand.
“My favourite part is giving the cheque to the parents,” he says. “You get to see their faces.”
Brooke agrees. “It lets them breathe for a second,” she says. “Even if it’s just for a moment, it pulls them out of what they’re going through.”
Brownies, pizza and drill-stirred iced tea
The stand will be stocked with iced tea, lemonade, soda, water, cookies, brownies, pumpkin bars, Rocco’s Pizza, and more. There's also Brooke and Koda merch for sale.
Crowd favourites include the pumpkin bars — Marek’s top pick — and the classic brownies. But baking doesn’t come easy. It takes 16 hours over two days, and some parts are harder than others.
“I hate the butter,” Brooke laughs. “It gets all over your hands when you're trying to level stuff.”
Thankfully, they’ve found ways to make parts of the job easier — like using a spoon attached to a drill to stir huge batches of iced tea.
Brooke’s also discovered what not to do. “One time I grabbed cinnamon instead of cocoa powder,” she confesses. While it may have smelled wonderful, they did not even try to sell that pan.
From buyers to up-sellers
When it comes to working the stand, both Brooke and Marek love being face to face with the community. And Marek doesn’t just serve customers — he upsells.
“Last year someone said, ‘I’ll take two brownies,’ and he said, ‘Why not buy the whole pan?’” Brooke says.
Last year’s event raised more than $18,000. While their parents try to keep their expectations realistic, Brooke and Marek are hoping to beat that total again this summer.
“Our parents always say, ‘Don’t expect it to be as much as last year,’” says Brooke. “And then it just somehow happens.”
“If you want to help, just do it.”
For anyone wondering what they can do to make a difference, Brooke has some simple advice.
“Nothing is too small. If you want to help, just do it,” she says. “This started with one idea and it’s turned into something so much bigger.”
Marek just wants to say thanks: “Thanks for helping out.”
The stand will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (though visitors tend to show up early). Stop by, grab a snack, and support a great cause — and don’t be surprised if Marek tries to sell you the entire tray.
-With files from Carly Koop.