Kenny's Dream: A small town's secret effort to change a life

There is a secret effort underway in this small northern Michigan town to try and make a young man's dream come true.  / Upnorthlive Photo

ANTRIM CO -- It's been said that in small towns there are no secrets. Everyone seemingly knows everything that's going on in everyone else's life. Central Lake, population 941, is as small town Americana as they come. But over the past few months it's broken the rule about secrets and small towns. If you look closely you can occassionally catch the tell tale signs of the plot. If you listen carefully, you might catch a hushed whisper that reveals the same. It's a secret that everyone in town is in on, except for one young man. It's a secret that could change his life.
Kenny Berends is a senior at Central Lake High School. He blends into most classrooms and hallways because he is shy and quiet. He's lived in Central Lake most of his life, and sat in class next to the same people since second grade. But that's not why his classmates know him and have taken him under their wings. The reason everyone seems to keep a close eye on him, is that Kenny has at least three things that make him unique; Turrets, Autism and a giant heart.
READ MORE: http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?id=1119481#.VFzN04Us28Q

 Kenny finds out about his secret dream effort

 

ANTRIM COUNTY -- Kenny Berends and his sister Rebekah are headed to Japan thanks to viewers like you!
Last night we aired a story called “Kenny’s Dream”. It was about an effort launched by two Central Lake High School students to raise $6,000 to send their classmate Kenny on the trip of a lifetime to Japan.
Within 16 minutes of airing the story at 6pm, our viewers had donated enough money to make the trip possible. But the giving didn’t stop there. A day later, and viewers had donated more than $12,000.
Chris and Connor, the two seniors who spearheaded the effort, weren’t going to tell Kenny about their plan until they were sure they had raised the cash. Today, they were able to give Kenny the surprise of his lifetime in front of the entire school.
READ MORE: http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?id=1120277#.VF2OnIUs28Q