Stephen's Dinner for Life

Stephen's Dinner for Life was held at Stonewood Gardens on June 18th and was a huge success. Over 275 people attended the event and it raised $4000 for the Kentucky Circuit Clerk's Trust for Life organization.  It is the objective of the Trust

Dick Veale, double organ recipient and author

to raise public awareness and encourage organ and tissue donation throughout the Commonwealth.   Following a delicious meal, Dick Veale, double-organ recipient and author, spoke about the miraculous gift that saved his life. The night concluded with live music with Borderline, a local band that donated their time and talents to the worthy cause.

Rick and Judy Elrod with Shelley Heaverin and
Mike Redden, Pendleton County Circuit Clerk.

Stephen's father, Rick, spoke of how Stephen valued the organ donation program and registering as a donor. He recalled the day of Stephen's accident. "It doesn't bring him back, but it brings awareness," said Rick. "With all of the other horrible things going on that day, we didn't have to make the decision for him to donate. He did that for us, and tonight is a way to continue his work and spread his name."



He concluded by giving a check for $3500 to Shelly Heavrin, Executive Director for Ky. Circuit Clerk Trust for Life. After all the bills were paid, an additional check for $500 was sent to the organization. For our first benefit, our hopes were to break even and possibly make a couple hundred dollars to donate to such a worthy cause. Little did we believe we would receive the support that we did.

Mark and Carra Surgalski
Stephen's best friends and roommate.

The event received monetary support from several businesses and individuals such as Ale-8 Marketing Company, Sunrise Corporation, Can-Dew Recycling, Bob and Carol Griffin, Brian and Beth Griffin, Happy and Bobbi Osborne, State Representative and Mrs. Tom McKee, Dr. John Reid, Sean Roseman, Chad and Melody Simms, James and Allison Biggs, Robert and Joyce Carmack, Jim and Jill Conway, Barth and Pam Johnson, Carol Klaber, JoEllen Mitchell and family, Doug and Judith Spritzky, Dan and Pam Moreno, Dale and Peggy Prebble, Marvin and Sandy Sullivan, Steve and Patti Thomas, Gary and Marsha Thompson, and Xanadu Salon.

Jackson Stephen Reed and proud dad

We received other support from the attendance of good friends and acquaintances.  One of the guests that attended  the evening was Jackson Stephen Reed. He is the newborn son of Chris and Lauren Reed, a couple that went to Georgetown College with Stephen. They wanted to name their son after one of their best friends, Stephen.


We have learned these past couple years that in the hardest of times, it is with the support and shoulders of your friends, family, and the church that give you the strength to overcome adversity.

Molly Faust and Emily Kiniyalocts, co-workers of Stephen

2nd annual Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarships Awarded

It is a privilege to announce the recipients of the annual Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarships for 2011. On May 16, at Pendleton County High School, Chelsea Gosney was awarded the scholarship. While at Pendleton County High School, she was involved in basketball and the Future Farmers of America, while maintaining a 3.8 GPA. Chelsea continues to be a faithful member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist church, where she has attended since she was little. She has volunteered her time as the pianist and assisted in whatever ways needed in other areas of the church. Chelsea participated in the Kentucky Changers mission project by stripping siding and an old porch off a house and replacing them with new.

She is a special young lady. Her activity in events like the Make a Wish Foundation and Walk for Wishes highlight her empathy for others. She is a very-well rounded lady who is very deserving of the Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarship. Her plans are to attend Gateway Community and Technical College in Edgewood, Kentucky and receive a degree in Medical Assisting Technology, so that she might become a medical assistant and continue to help others upon completion.

At the annual Eagles Landing Christian Academy athletic banquet, Taylor Echols received the Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarship. "Once the criteria for the scholarship was sent to all the head coaches, booster club board of directors and ELCA administration, it was pretty much unanimous that Taylor would receive the honor," said Scott Queen, ELCA athletic director. "Taylor is so much like Stephen in many ways." Taylor lettered in basketball four years, golf three years, and soccer his senior year. He received the following basketball honors: All-State honorable mention, All-Region 1st team Junior and Senior years, All-Region honorable mention his sophomore year, ELCA Basketball Athlete of the Year his Junior and Senior years, and was a member of the 1000 point club. He was also a standout in the classroom. He held a 4.23GPA when he graduated and a 1730 SAT score. In addition, Taylor was involved with the mission field in Nicarauga and the Haven House ministries. Upon graduation from Eagles Landing Christian Academy, he plans to attend University of Georgia. Congratulations Taylor.

Stephen's Dinner For Life

To remember and honor our son who saved lives through the gift of organ donation, the Elrod family is sponsoring an evening, Saturday, June 18, dedicated to raising awareness about the crucial need for organ and tissue donation in Kentucky. Dinner will be served promptly at 7:00 followed by a double-organ recipient speaking. We will complete the evening with live country and southern rock music with the band, Borderline. Reservations are required by Sunday, June 12, by calling Judy at 859-472-1109 (h), 859-322-6332 (c), or email kybred60@aol.com. Seating is limited. Ticket price $35, or $250 for table of eight. Checks should be made out to "Stephen Elrod Memorial Fund" and can be mailed to "10568 Hwy 10 North, Foster, KY 41043". Proceeds from the event will benefit KY Circuit Court Clerk's Trust for Life, a non-profit organization for organ donation.

A Very Special Young Man

These shoes belong to a young gentleman that was on the Hoopsters 2nd-3rd grade basketball team that Stephen helped coach. He is the same young man that came to our home and gave us his trophy in remembrance of Stephen.

When it was time to order new basketball shoes this year, Cody had the opportunity to personalize them. When his mother asked him what name he wanted on his shoes: Cody, Cody James, Codeman, etc., he asked if he could put someone elses name on his shoes. Puzzled, his mother questioned him further. Cody proceeded to tell her he wanted his name and Stephen Elrod's name on his shoes. Since both names wouldn't fit, he went with Cody SDE. In addition to putting Stephen's initials on his shoes, Cody also changed his uniform number from 12 to 15, Stephen's number. Stephen had quite an impact on Cody's young life. Cody is a very special young man.