KERRI D EFIRD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Kerri D. Efird Memorial Scholarship was established to carry on the memory
of a very special person, whose life was cut very short, but in her 18 years
accomplished more than more will in a long life span.
Our precious daughter, Kerri, passed away on February 21, 1999 at the age of 18. Kerri
had cystic fibrosis and was a diabetic. We went to Duke, in Durham, NC, for
regular check-ups for many years, as she was diagnosed at the age of 11 months.
Around the age of 16, Kerri's lungs, through reoccurring infections, no longer
responded to antibiotics and was placed on the transplant list for a set of
lungs. On May 10, 1997 (Mother's Day), she underwent a double lung transplant.
Kerri was a very strong and inspirational person who refused to give up. After
transplant, Kerri was in the hospital for 11 weeks and then in rehab for 5 weeks
at Duke Medical Center. We came home in August of 97; 1 week after school had
started. She went back to school where she was in the 11th grade at West Stanly
High School in Oakboro, NC. We did many rounds of IV's for various complications
at home, but Kerri who was very involved in Drama - The West Stanly Players, continued to go to school and
keep up with her class. It finally became best for her to go on home bound, due
to the monthly hospitalizations that had now started due to continued
complications. But Kerri, being the strong person she was, she had actually completed
the number of required courses for graduation in the fall of 1998 and decided to
take on-line courses at our local community college.
Kerri did not get to walk across the stage at graduation with her class of 1999,
in June of 99, but in spirit, she was there with us when her name was called for
graduation and she was recognized for her academic achievements against all
odds.
Kerri made such an impression on her teachers and fellow students, that a
scholarship fund was established in her name. Kerri always wanted to help other
people and never wanted anyone to feel sorry for her, even though she really had
her own burdens to carry. She constantly relied on her faith in God, family and friends
to carry her through some of her worst days. Kerri had agreed to be a
chairperson prior to her death for the Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk-a-Thon
Event. Ironically on the day of her funeral, the packet came in the mail. We knew that she
wanted to do this so Scottie and myself were committed to do this for her. We ride
motorcycles, and in lieu of a walk, after talking with some of our friends, we
decided to get our friends together and have a ride - the 1st Kerri D Efird Bike
Run -in approx. 2 months we put
together a ride that had 67 bikes & raised $3500. All in donations, the the
first year the monies were given to the CF Foundation and The Kerri D.
Efird Memorial Scholarship. We awarded 6-$500. Scholarships in June 1999 at West
Stanly High School.
During the year of 99-00, the Scholarship fund made great strides of
which we are very proud. We incorporated with the State of NC, filed & received
Tax Exempt status from the IRS w/all contributions deductible as allowed by law,
& appointed a Board of Directors. For the 2nd KDE Bike Run, held on April
29, 1999 we had 110 bikes and raised approx. $4500. & Awarded 4-$750.
Scholarships on June 2000 at West Stanly HS. The 3rd KDE Ride was held on
April 28,2001, once again a huge success, with 198 bikes, raising over $6000. We
proudly gave 4, $1000. Scholarships in May 2001. The 4th Annual Bike Run was
held on April 29,2002, and thankfully was another successful event. With an
ominous sky, and cool temps, the day turned into a wonderful event raising
$7000. On May 14, 2002 at the West Stanly Seniors Award Night, we proudly gave
away once again 4 -$1000. Scholarships to 4 deserving seniors. The 5th Annual
Bike Run was held on April 26, 2003, but the weather was not very friendly to
motorcycles. Regardless of the rain, we still had 112 determined riders and once
again raising approx $6000! On Senior Night in May, 2003 we once again awarded
4-$1000. Scholarships. The 6th Annual KDE Memorial Bike Run was held on April
24, 2004 with the largest turnout yet with 234 motorcycles and approx $6500.
being raised and once again for 2004 we awarded $4000. in Scholarships.. The 7th
Annual KDE Bike Run was held on April 30, 2005 under a gray, rainy & cool sky
but went on regardless with a show of 110 dedicated Bikers. Which all things
considered still raised approx. $5500! We once again awarded $4000. in
scholarships on Senior night in May 2005. The 8th KDE Bike Run was held April
29, 2006 w/212 motorcycles and sunshine was our companion for the day with a
total raised again of $6000. with history repeating itself we awarded $4000. in
scholarships in May 2006. The 9th Annual Kerri D. Efird Memorial Bike Run was
held April 28, 2007, with the largest turnout yet of 253 motorcycles and raising
over $11,000, and once again in May 2007 we awarded $4000. to four special
seniors for a total awarded for the life of the Scholarship - $34,000.
The 10th Annual KDE Bike Run was held on April 26th, 2008 and approx $12,000 was
raised & had a total of 250 motorcycles participating. On Seniors Award Night in
May 2008 we awarded the 4-$1000. scholarships and in addition had 2-
$500.awarded as this year was an extra special year as we reached a
huge milestone in the life of the scholarship. The 11th Annual KDE Bike Run was
held on a blessed day on April 25, 2009, and had a huge turnout of bikes and
supporters! We had 250 Bikes and had a safe ride - and raised $11,000 in
donations. WSHS Senior Awards night was held on May 28th, 2009 and we
again awarded 4 - $1000. Scholarships to 4 deserving Seniors! The 12th KDE Bike
run was held on April 24, 2010 and with the threat of rain the turnout was not
as large as previously but we still had 190 bikers turnout raising $11,500. a
wonderful day after all! We awarded - 5-$1000. Scholarships on June 3, 2010-
this year we had one extra dedicated to the Memory of Kyle Allen, who tragically
was taken from us too soon, as his family remembered him thru Memorials
dedicated to the KDE Scholarship Fund, of which we were very honored to receive
in his memory.
The rest is a testament to Kerri's life & we have awarded $48,000 to graduating
seniors at WSHS since the beginning of the Scholarship.
Please continue to pray for all involved in this monumental effort!
The Bike Run is very important to this endeavor, as it is the sole support of
the Scholarship Fund, along with generous donations from
corporations/companies/& individuals such as yourself.
Please keep everyone involved w/ the Bike Run in your thoughts and prayers as we
continue to keep KERRI's Memory alive!
As you can see, our daughter, was a very brave and determined young lady. With
the continued support of our family & friends, we feel it necessary to keep our
daughters strong & determined faith alive, along with wanting to help someone
else continue their education, and carry on the memory and undying spirit of
Kerri.
Thank you for your time and interest. Please feel free to call with
any questions/concerns.
Once again, thank you for your support in our endeavor to carry on our precious
daughter's memory.
In Kerri's Memory,
Scott & Tracy Efird (aka..Kerri's Daddy & Mommy)
106 Walnut Creek Road
Locust, NC 28097
704-888-4587
marbleman28097@yahoo.com/te97hdheritage@yahoo.com