{"id":410,"date":"2012-09-10T18:05:43","date_gmt":"2012-09-10T18:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kandynolesstevens.com\/?p=410"},"modified":"2012-09-10T18:05:43","modified_gmt":"2012-09-10T18:05:43","slug":"19-days-to-go-what-in-the-world-is-a-reed-a-cheetah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.realsweetgrace.com\/blog\/?p=410","title":{"rendered":"19 days to go: What in the world is a Reed-A-Cheetah?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)<\/em><\/p>\n

We have always wanted to give back for all the kindnesses shown to us.\u00a0 Not that we will ever be able to repay all the many blessings bestowed upon us.\u00a0 We can however pay it forward.\u00a0 We\u00a0attempt to do so\u00a0with the Reed Stevens Legacy Program at Avera McKennan hospital. We wanted to do something at the hospital where Reed died, but we didn\u2019t know how exactly this was going to work. We had already consulted with the staff, and we knew the need existed for siblings who had lost a brother or sister.<\/p>\n

We finally came upon an idea, but we would need some help pulling it off.\u00a0 Thankfully, we have some angels among us in Bruce and Kris Shover and their business Marshall Bowl where\u00a0they also own a Bear Factory operation.\u00a0 I called them up in late 2009 with a strange request.\u00a0 Did they have any cheetahs we could stuff?\u00a0 Normally, somebody would guffaw, but they didn\u2019t.\u00a0 However at that time, they did have to tell me that no such animal was available, and they promised as the catalogs change, they would keep their eyes open.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, we had formulated an idea of what we would put together if we could ever find cheetahs.\u00a0 Why the cheetah?\u00a0 No, it isn\u2019t because Reed-A-Cheetah has a great ring to it \u2013 even though it does!\u00a0 It is because cheetahs were Reed’s favorite animal. We even went to opening day of the cheetah exhibit at the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls.\u00a0 We made up some professional style baseball cards that have Reed\u2019s picture and read:<\/p>\n

Reed Stevens was in 7th<\/sup> grade when he and three friends were killed riding home on their school bus. He was very active in his school, his church, Scouts, and the community. He left behind a family of his dad, his mom, his brother, and two sisters.<\/em><\/p>\n

Reed\u2019s favorite animal was the cheetah.\u00a0 Just as cheetahs are extremely rare in nature, so are the relationships that brothers and sisters share.\u00a0 Recognizing this fact, the Stevens family wanted to remember Reed and to help surviving siblings at Avera McKennan by giving each child a Reed-A-Cheetah. Whenever you snuggle with your cheetah, you will know that 3 other kids know what it is like to miss that special sibling. <\/em><\/p>\n

We dreamed and we waited.\u00a0 In late winter 2011, I got a call informing me, indeed, the catalog changed and cheetahs were now available. \u00a0But before we could go forward, Bruce and Kris invited us to a Bowling Association event.\u00a0 We met the most generous people; all of whom helped us pay for the cheetahs. Then for our initial gift of cheetahs, our family along with Bruce and his assistant, Ethan, travelled with 50 cheetahs, stuffing, and Bear Factory; so that we could make the cheetahs in person\u00a0with these siblings at annual event in memory of children who have passed away at the hospital.\u00a0 A video of our day is found below.<\/p>\n

If our soaring hearts that day were fuel, we all could have flown back to Marshall.\u00a0 It was an incredible day.\u00a0 The need still exists,\u00a0since a friend and I brought down\u00a0the last\u00a0shipment at Christmas time.\u00a0 More are needed. \u00a0That is one of the reasons why we have invited (and they have graciously accepted), Marshall Bowl to attend Reed\u2019s Run.\u00a0 If you purchase a cheetah that day, your loved takes home a cheetah, but a little piece of that purchase goes to a hurting heart\u00a0receiving a cheetah someday.<\/p>\n

Just like cheetahs are rare, so are the friendships who have made this dream a reality. In my heart, I think that is Chee-rrific!<\/p>\n