Jedd’s “Last Chance” fundraiser for STARS

By Myrina Carter

From September 22 to 25, Jedd Serben, a young man of only 15, hosted a fundraiser at his family’s local farm, Serben Farms, at 59246 Range Road 180, near Smoky Lake. The young man started selling lemonade during the summer months of 2018. The fundraiser included selling freshly squeezed lemonade and delicious ice cream. The lemonade is freshly squeezed and bottled by Jedd himself.

On December 2, 2019, Jedd and his little brother Jacob Serben were involved in a life-threatening motor vehicle accident. They were riding on a school bus when a picker truck collided with them. Jedd sustained life-threatening injuries. STARS Air Ambulance rushed Jedd to the Stollery Children’s Hospital that day, saving his life. Mother Julia Seben said, “We will always hold this amazing organization close to our hearts, as do many others who live rurally and have needed critical medical care.”

The hardship the family experienced is what all started the new annual fundraiser for Jedd and his family. The annual fundraiser began last year in 2021, where they raised $2700. Amped to do better this year, the Serben family added in the sale of ice cream from the Serben Farms ice cream shack. Along with the freshly squeezed lemonade, they also added a new blue raspberry lemonade which was a massive hit with guests and helped boost the amount of money raised to $3800. All proceeds from the family raised through the years were 100 percent donated to STARS.

Julie Serben said, “We encourage online donations to the fundraiser, and STARS has a great web page for us to facilitate those donations. Next year we aim to raise $5000, which is the approximate cost of one STAR’S flight. We are so thankful for such great local support for our fundraiser and those who donated from afar. We also received a $500. from Hammerstrap Industries, which is amazing, and we greatly appreciate it!”