3rd Annual Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarships (2012)

On the evening of May 3rd, the annual Senior Scholarship and Award Ceremony was held at the Pendleton County auditorium. This year proved to be one of the most difficult in selecting a recipient for the Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarship. However, Ethan Stahl impressed the committee with his work ethic and thoughtfulness towards others. In reading his essay and recommendation letters, we believed he exhibited the qualities most like Stephen. Stephen was an individual that could spend hours talking to older adults. As one of the recommendation letters states, "Ethan is well liked not only by his peers but by adults of all ages. He welcomes them and constantly reaches out to them."

Jon presenting Ethan with his scholarship

Ethan maintained a 3.71 GPA while participating in football, track and field, and band. He is a member of Grassy Creek Christian Church.  Much like Stephen, he loves the outdoors and hunting.  His future plans include attending Morehead State University and majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

The Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarship was presented at the annual Eagles Landing Christian Academy Athletic Banquet to Mr. Tyler McCammon by Clay and Scott Reeves.  They began the scholarship after Stephen's untimely death.  Matt Harless, a friend of Stephen's, read a passage of scripture and told the audience how he remembered Stephen.

Judy Elrod, Matt Harless, Tyler McCammon, Clay and Scott Reeves

Tyler is an individual that attended ELCA since the 1st grade.  He played varsity football all four years of high school and as a senior decided to add tennis to his schedule.  Academically, he was tops in his class holding a 4.01 GPA.  Tyler holds strong Christian values and exhibited them being active in FCA and the Student Leadership Institute at ELCA.  He will be attending Mercer University to major in Biology.

After the committee recommended Tyler for the scholarship, I pulled his profile up on Facebook and discovered he shared the same birthday (February 7th) as Stephen.  In addition, he loves his dog and hunting just as Stephen.

Congratulations Tyler and Ethan on receiving the Stephen Elrod Memorial Scholarship.

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.

A Long Awaited Letter

After a long process, we finally received a letter thirteen months after Stephen gave life to another individual. Sending and receiving correspondence between the donor family and donor recipients respects each family's privacy and is quite extensive. While it is difficult for the donor family, it is also encouraging to know Stephen's death saved other lives. In addition, for the donor recipient, they find it difficult to correspond because of the circumstances surrounding their gift of life.

Stephen's liver recipient is an older 60 year old gentleman who lives in Ohio. He suffered from a chronic progressive disease which caused acute liver failure. He was second on the waiting list and was extremely ill at the time of his transplant. Stephen saved his life. When he is feeling well enough, he works at Goodyear Tire. He is the married father of two children. In his free time, he especially enjoys outdoor activities. In his letter he said that he had had several complications along the way, but continues to make medication changes and undergo multiple testing in order to improve his health status. Because of Stephen's gift of life, he is alive and able to spend time with his new grandbaby. He said he feels an obligation to cherish every day for Stephen's sacrifice. He would be eternally grateful to Stephen, and was very sympathetic with our loss.

The donor program is a wonderful life saving one. In order to educate others, Second Chance at Life, Inc., has designed a specialty license plate. It will become a reality once, and if, 900 applications and fees have been received. Your initial check of $25.00 will be held in escrow until all 900 applications are received. An application for the plate can be downloaded at www.kyorgandonor.org. Below is the total cost of the Donate Life Specialty Plate: $25.00 - initial fee with application, $9.00 - Paid at your County Clerk's Office once plate is available, $10.00 - Donation to Second Chance for continual public education efforts--$44.00 Final Total
Please sign up for the Donate Life license plate today.

"SDE" honored with the Future Pendleton Co. Hoopsters

One afternoon this spring we received a call from Wes Sullivan, the coach of the "Future Hoopsters". On behalf of the parents, coaches, and players, he presented us with a framed jersey the team wore this past season. Stephen had began helping Wes by showing the players a few drills. It wasn't long before he was at every practice and game. He was looking forward to the next season of players.

We began two educational scholarships with the memorial funds received from friends at the funeral because we knew Stephen would be honored knowing others had help continuing their education; however, he would be ecstatic if his little basketball team had financial support as well with his funds. We purchased their ball uniforms this past year, and they wore them proudly with the initials "SDE" over their heart. As a thank you at the end of the season, we received a replica jersey (#15...Stephen's high school number). It hangs beside his Georgetown jersey.