Preston Brewer, left, made a surprise visit to Margaret Elementary School last week to say hello to friends, especially his best friend Kyle Layfield, right.
It’s also a time for giving … and that’s exactly what Margaret Elementary School fifth-grade student Kyle Layfield has done.
When his best friend, Preston Brewer, was rushed to Children’s Hospital for an emergency surgery, Kyle knew he had to do something. Actually, he did two things.
First, when Santa asked Kyle what he wanted for Christmas, Kyle simply told him he wanted his best friend Preston to get out of the hospital before Christmas.
Second, Kyle started a coin drive at Margaret Elementary School to give to Preston and his family.
“I knew with coins, they could go to the snack machine and get food and drinks while they sat at the hospital,” Kyle said.
Little did Kyle know that he would be responsible for helping raise $600 for his best friend.
Preston is the 11-year-old son of Lamar and Paula Brewer of Margaret.
This ordeal all started Nov. 22 when Preston went to Children’s Hospital for a simple process of appendicitis.
“When they were in the middle of surgery, the appendix ruptured,” Paula Brewer said. “Everything continued to get worse from there. He ran a fever for 17 days. An abscess started to form and was in a place doctors could not get to. Finally, the abscess dropped below his colon and doctors were finally able to lance it. He had immediate relief. He has had no fever since then. He is gradually getting better. This is truly a Christmas miracle and blessing for us.”
Kyle’s Christmas wish came true as Preston came home from the hospital Dec. 14.
The very next day, Preston visited Margaret Elementary
“I was very touched when I found out what Kyle was doing,” Paula Brewer said. “I teared up right away. I knew Kyle was very concerned about Preston being in the hospital. It is truly a blessing.”
“Preston has been my best friend since kindergarten,” Kyle said. “I felt like I had to do something.”
Preston said he is very happy to call Kyle his best friend.
“I hope we remain friends forever,” Preston said. “I’m glad to be out of the hospital and looking forward to spending Christmas at home with my family.”
Kyle’s entire family is so very proud of him. His parents, brother, sister, grandparents and great grandparents acknowledge that what he has done is very admirable.
“I am so very proud of Kyle for doing this act of kindness,” mom Bridget Layfield said. “He put the need of his friend in front of his own need. He told me this year he knew the true meaning of Christmas and I believe him.”
The Layfields live next door to an elderly lady named Vickie Coon, and she dearly loves Kyle.
“He helps me with my groceries, cuts my grass, takes out my garbage and brings me food to eat,” Coon said. “He is such a good boy and I pray he continues on this path of being so kind-hearted.”
Kyle’s sister, Danielle, said what he did for Preston was such a special thing.
“Preston is lucky to have Kyle for a friend and I am lucky to have Kyle for a little brother,” Danielle Layfield said.
Grandmother Diane Coleman said Kyle is the most loving child she has ever known.
“His feelings are so strong for people in need,” Coleman said.
Margaret Elementary School Principal Joe Goble said it is important to have a school environment where friendships like the one Kyle and Preston have can flourish.
“We want to teach them what Christmas is all about and about being charitable and giving back to others,” Goble said. “This is just a story that played out to show what that message is all about.”
Both boys are in the same classroom and Natasha Hurd is their teacher.
“This means so much because it is so exciting to have kids care so much for each other,” Hurd said. “It brings joy to me and all their classmates.”
Kyle thanks everyone who helped and contributed with the coin drive, especially Rhonda, Donnie and TR Kimball, along with Jamie Boyd.
Contact Gary Hanner at ghanner@thestclairtimes.com.
