group of students in matching blue tshirts standing behind 2 tables with 2 adults in gray shirts in the midde, the tables are holding over 100 lego sets, and the tablecloths have the CTEC logo on them

Building Hope, One LEGO Set at a Time: CTEC Students Support Team Kendrick's Mission

Culpeper Technical Education Center

October 23, 2026

Written by Avery Rodgers, CTEC HOSA President, CCHS student

During September, to recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the HOSA – Future Health Professionals (HOSA) and National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) members organize a LEGO drive for Kendrick Jenkins every fall. "Team Kendrick" helps to give back to so many kids at Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital in Fairfax and the Inova Schar Cancer Pediatric Infusion Center by donating hundreds of LEGO sets to kids battling cancer. Kendrick Jenkins was a 2020 graduate of Eastern View High School and a Sheriff's Office Cadet. He loved to make LEGO creations in his free time. Kendrick passed away in 2021 from cancer; his parents, Tammy Souder and Jonathan Jenkins, have created "Team Kendrick" and have grown their donations of LEGO sets to children since 2021.

The LEGO drive has gone so much further than just CTEC! The Culpeper County Sheriff's Office and Floyd T. Binns Middle School accepted LEGO sets through October 31. This year, some amazing businesses in Culpeper and Warrenton have contributed, such as Angry Wife Brewhouse, Wellness Revolution, RE/MAX Gateway/Candice Southard, Far Beyond Ink Tattoo/Body Expression, and Warrenton Auto Service. During the personal conversation other members and I had with Tammy and Jonathan, they expressed all the plans they have to expand these LEGO drives and to make their own personal expansion to businesses, as they have started this year! Since the Team Kendrick LEGO drives started, the number of LEGO sets has reached over 1,200, with this year's drive at CTEC contributing 118. It was absolutely amazing being able to present the LEGO sets and talk to Kendrick's parents and see how much the drive has grown over the past few years.

Jeanie Barlow, CTEC's Medical Assistant Instructor and HOSA sponsor, expressed during the presentation of the LEGO sets how beautiful the drive is and how much we love helping and making an impact for Kendrick. She said how amazing it is to use the drive as a testament to something so special to Kendrick, but also to help other children battling cancer.

HOSA is all about giving back to the community and showing up for everything we can contribute to. As HOSA members, Team Kendrick is a great example of what we love to be involved in and show our care for. Making an impact on so many people's lives is the end goal for all of the volunteering and contributions we make. Many members said how beautiful the opportunity to help other kids through Kendrick's memory is. A few members got to have a personal conversation with Tammy and Jonathan and hear all of the wonderful plans and stories of Kendrick and the things he loved.

Team Kendrick has online information on their Facebook page, @TeamKendrick. Information on the locations of donations, businesses and schools that contribute, and pictures of Kendrick and his accomplishments over the years can be found on their page.

We are all so grateful here at CTEC to contribute and be a part of Team Kendrick's journey in giving hope to children across different hospitals. We plan to continue to help grow the drive and share information about Kendrick's journey. The drive has spread all over and is making such an impact for Tammy and Jonathan; many members were getting emotional alongside Kendrick's parents while they shared Kendrick's story.