Towards the end of January, Jason read an update on one of the Clements Cuties’ Foundation recipients – Peyton Greer. Sadly, Peyton’s cancer had spread.
For those that don’t know; the Clements Cuties began as a team of male softball players dressed as colorful ladies playing softball games for a variety of charities. In recent years, friends and family of the original group have continued their mission – raising awareness for childhood cancer.
Peyton was diagnosed in December 2018 with a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer that forms in the skeletal tissue. Peyton endured many, many weeks of chemotherapy and after a seemingly successful surgery, he was faced with the news that the cancer spread to his lungs. His Mother shared this news and a plan to bring a smile to his face was put into place! A quick phone call has made a lasting impression!!
Jason, Lou, and Dieter designed a young man’s dream room – a place where Peyton could escape his worries and just be 14 years old. In just two short weeks, they designed a Central Command room comprised of THREE 55” TVs, a Crestron Touch Panel, THREE dedicated Xbox stations with headsets and games, and of course, a refrigerator stocked with chocolate milk! A personalized pelican case adorned with local and state police, military commands, and PMA patches full of separate Xbox gear was also gifted to Peyton to occupy his time while receiving treatments in the hospital. Additionally, because siblings are often overlooked during such a difficult time, each sibling was gifted a basket full of goodies!
It was a short two weeks to design, integrate and test Peyton’s safe-haven and a long two days to install, but the family’s reaction is priceless. Dad, Chris Dudley said, “Thank you for doing this for my son and giving him a reason to smile during a tough time.” Mom, Suzanne Dudley added, “What your team has done for Peyton is amazing and I could never thank you enough.” His sister, Leigha, even noted just how emotional Peyton would be, “Peyton isn’t the type to cry, but he is going to cry when he sees this!” However, the best reaction of all came from Peyton himself, “Thank you and everyone that helped, Jason. I very much appreciate everything, and I am having a lot of fun in my new room. I will carry my case through the Hospital’s halls with happiness!”
None of this is possible without the power of teamwork – our teamwork. Words cannot express the appreciation for our employees that were a part of this project; Dieter Leach, Billy Connelly, Erich Bogie, Melvin Dean, Mike Diley, Alex Peksa, Ashley Cecil, Katey Burroughs, and Trish Johnson. You all embody what we strive to cultivate in our organization – hard work, camaraderie, and community involvement. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Speaking of our community, we were thrilled to partner with other local businesses to really pull this surprise make-over off; Ricky Ryce of Ryce Electric & Clements Cuties, Harry Poole of Clements Cuties, Mike Davis of Hilltop Signs, Pete Griffin of Flooring America, Jimmy Mister – local Carpenter, and Ricky Mattingly – local Painter.
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” God bless all our volunteers, our community, and most of all Peyton Greer.