Kendra Springs

Project: Kendra’s Call for Komfort

When Kendra Springs was being treated for neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer, she was discouraged by the lack of things she could do and the lack of comfortable clothing she had to wear. She was stuck in bed, in a hospital gown, with nothing to do. Worse yet, she saw other children going through the same thing.

As a young girl with interest in fashion and community service, Kendra created Kendra’s Call for Komfort, an organization that provided new clothing, activities, and gift cards to children who have been hospitalized. Kendra formed the organization mere months after her cancer diagnosis. She helped raise funds and plan events throughout her own treatments.

Kendra spent at least five hours each week working on behalf of her organization. She planned four annual fundraisers. Her determination to help others inspired her entire community to show their support with fund-raising or volunteering. Students at Plainfield High School in Plainfield, Indiana, started a student board that raised money for Kendra’s Call for Komfort. The varsity kicker on the football team also raised money through local businesses, convincing them to donate money for every field goal and extra point the team made. Those promises alone raised over $13,000 for Kendra’s project.

The funds went towards what Kendra calls “comfy care packages.” Staff members at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, its north campus in Carmel, Indiana, and Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis helped identify children who might appreciate the bags. Kendra, who enjoyed shopping almost as much as she enjoyed helping others, spent about $250 on such items as pajamas and other comfortable clothes, gift cards, and games. Each bag was personalized to meet the needs of a specific child.

Kendra was also able to donate money to various hospital units and programs that either provided treatments or helped children feel better during their treatments. She even donated six medical play carts and two toy medical exam machines. Children could play with these machines to help them feel less anxious if they had to be examined by the real machines.

Although only an eighth grader at Saint Susanna Middle School in Plainfield, Indiana, in the 2014–2015 school year, Kendra already had her sights set high. Winner of her school’s Mother Teresa Award and a National Junior Honors Society member, she hoped to expand Kendra’s Call for Komfort nationwide, while someday working in the arts or fashion design.

The Power of Children Award four-year scholarship reduced the amount of money she had to save for college, meaning she would have more money to give to her organization. “Generosity,” said Kendra, “creates positive change.”