Friends Come Together For Kendra

If there is one thing that can be said about Scotts Valley, it is that its residents come together in times of need. And that is exactly what The Friends of Kendra are doing.

The group was formed to help the family of Scotts Valley High School junior, Kendra Kannegaard, who was left in a wheelchair five months ago after a surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from her spine.

The Friends of Kendra, along with the Scotts Valley Rotary Club, will be holding a fundraiser on June 3 that will include dinner and a silent and live auction to raise money for the Kannegaard family.

“This is a family that has been so giving to the community,” said Melinda Molloy, one of the event’s organizers. “We don’t forget those things. Our community really loves to give back to those that have given to us.”

Though Molloy is one of the organizers of the upcoming fundraiser, she says credit really has to be given to her daughter Mercedes, a Scotts Valley Middle School student. The Molloy family lives next door to the Kannegaards and Kendra had a lasting affect on Mercedes.

“She was my second babysitter ever,” Mercedes said. “She’s been a great role model. She’s really funny and every time she enters a room she lights up the room and makes people smile.”

Mercedes said it made her said to think that Kendra may never walk again and she knew she had to do something to help the family and the babysitter that meant so much to her.

“I wanted to do something for her since she has done so much for me,” Mercedes said. “It makes me feel great that my idea has grown and will truly benefit Kendra.”

City council member Jim Reed is co-organizing the event with the Molloys said this event is what the spirit of Scotts Valley is all about.

“This is why so many people get a lump in their throat when they talk about our community–because of the way we come together when there is a need,” Reed said. “This is one young, but very mature, girl’s idea and it’s just going to be a huge success because the cause is so right and the community is so giving. People will just be getting a portion back to what the whole family has given us.”

The fundraiser will happen alongside the Rotary’s annual fundraiser, 50s Summer Nights Bid For Kids, on June 3, 6-10 p.m. at the Scotts Valley Community Center, 360 Kings Village Road. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under.

To purchase tickets, contact Jim Reed at 831-707-4993.