Steinbach teens host 6th annual iced tea stand fundraiser

Dakota Reimer and Brooke Peters are once again hosting their iced tea stand to support a three-year-old girl who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

For the past six years, Reimer (15) and Peters (13), who are cousins, have been setting up their iced tea stand to fundraise for cancer care, which was inspired by family members who have gone through cancer diagnoses.

Last year they raised $13,500 for a 9-year-old boy named Cain Burgess.

"It kind of gives me hope in society that there are still nice people out there because I've seen videos of nurses and waitresses or waiters getting treated really badly and they're really just trying to help out other people and people are just treating them so badly," says Peters.

The way the teens choose which child to raise money for is done through Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Group, which is an organization that exists to provide meaningful, emotional, social, informational and tangible support as well as create connections between families.

This year they are fundraising for 3-year-old Ruby Roy who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) on January 20, 2023. Because of this diagnosis, Ruby's mom has had to take a leave from work to be with her daughter.

"Really just to see people smile," says Reimer when asked why they keep hosting their iced tea stand every year. "Helping other families out just means the world to me."

"Giving a little girl who's going through something so difficult and giving her a moment of happiness, and even just seeing her, like she's going through cancer and she's walking around with a smile on her face," says Peters. "She's not upset, she's just the happiest kid ever."

As always, there will be a multitude of goodies for sell aside from iced tea. This year there will be brownies, cookies, lemonade, and B&K shirts, and something new this year are pumpkin brownies and B&K lanyards.

Brooke and Koda's Iced Tea Stand will take place from July 26 and 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 418 Walnut Street, Steinbach.

"Do good," says Peters. "Do good. If you can put a smile on someone's face, whether it's like opening the door for somebody or even just giving a compliment, it goes a long way."