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You are invited to a party! On February 5, Kendrick would be turning 30. Hard to believe I would have a child that would be 30. I would have really enjoyed having that 3-0 birthday party. Sometimes I wonder if I would be a grandmother, what my daughter-in-law would be like, and what kind of a young man he would have grown up to be. Instead, with your help, I have invested 17 years in trying to make sure other parents do not lose a child to heat illness. We can't have a birthday party, but YOU can continue to join us at a Make a Difference Party for Kendrick's 30th birthday. It is only through the donations from our faithful supporters that we are able to continue our mission.
Make a donation online today!
I was fortunate to have Kendrick for 13 years and, with your support, we have been fortunate to make a difference for children in Northwest Arkansas and across the state and nation for the past 17 years. We have accomplished much:
- Hydration and heat illness presentations and information to over 250,000 children and athletes in Northwest Arkansas, 45 states and 3 countries
- A website that reaches globally
- Thirteen years of Kendrick Fincher Youth Runs
- Two years of Kendrick Fincher 5K Runs
- Cool Huts at community events in Northwest Arkansas
- Partnership with Gatorade and the NFL's "Beat the Heat" program for the past five years
- Web-based Hydration Campaign for coaches, parents and athletes
- US Congress designation of August as Heat Stroke Awareness Month
There is still much more to do and YOU can help continue our mission to promote proper hydration and prevent heat illness. I am asking for your support for the millions of children that play organized sports each year and for the thousands of children that go to emergency rooms each year for dehydration. When we lost Kendrick 17 years ago no one was talking about the importance of proper hydration or that athletes should not die from heat illness. We started talking and teaching about something that should have been done a long time ago. Now we have other organizations walking along side us-the Korey Stringer Institute and the Hydration Education Foundation. Knowing we are not the sole nonprofit teaching about proper hydration and heat illness prevention is energizing.
Also energizing is the knowledge that you are walking WITH us. Whether you are new to our support list or have been with us from the beginning, you have provided the financial or volunteer support we need to keep the vision and mission moving forward.
Now, please join us again as we have a "Make a Difference" party for Kendrick's 30th birthday. Can you donate $13 for the years we were blessed with him on earth, $17 for each year we have been promoting proper hydration and preventing heat illness, $30 for his birthday, or help us do even more with a larger gift. Keep working with us to make a difference and let's make it a great "Make a Difference" party for Kendrick!
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
Rhonda Fincher
My sister, Rochelle, wrote this poem after Kendrick died:
Where's My Party?
There was supposed to be a party,
A party for Kendrick.
Homecoming from the hospital,
His life would be a miracle.
There was supposed to be a party,
A party for Kendrick.
Celebrating his 14th birthday,
All his friends would come to play.
There was supposed to be a party,
A party for Kendrick.
Honoring his Confirmation Day,
Friends and relatives would come to pray,
There was supposed to be a party,
A party for Kendrick.
High School graduation was now here,
In his gown he would look so dear.
There was supposed to be a party,
A party for Kendrick.
College years have flown by,
And for a job he now applies.
There was supposed to be a party,
A party for Kendrick.
The bride and groom to be
Would have blessings from thee.
There was supposed to be a party,
A party for Kendrick.
A son was now born of their love,
Sent from heaven above.
There was supposed to be a party,
A party for Kendrick.
The big 4-0 was here,
2022 would be the year.
There was supposed to be a party,
A party for Kendrick.
And his wife of many years,
Would celebrate without any tears.
There was a party
A party for Kendrick.
But we were not invited
Because his party was held in heaven on August 25th.
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