Another such event took place Saturday, as Hoosier Taekwando in Middlebury held a “kick-a-thon.”
Owner Nick Nicholas — known in the dojo as “Master Nick” — explained the event. A number of the dojo’s students — both adults and children — gathered Saturday morning to see how many kicks they could accomplish in a 60-second period.
The answer, in total? More than 1,300 kicks, which translated to nearly $1,400. Nicholas presented Sam’s father, Randy, with the money raised Saturday evening.
An emotional Nicholas choked up a bit as he presented the money. “I can’t imagine this happening to my child,” Nicholas said.
Randy Grewe said he and his family are very grateful for the support they have received since Sam’s diagnosis, and intend to start returning the favor soon, using some of the funds raised to set up a foundation to help others with cancer.
Sam, Randy Grewe said, recently had surgery on the affected leg at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Doctors removed the cancerous area of Sam’s leg, and he will need a prosthetic leg going forward.
The Middlebury youngster has gone through seven rounds of chemotherapy in South Bend; another 11 rounds are scheduled between now and August.
But when he gets the prosthetic leg, the active teenager and athlete will be able to resume competing in sports, Randy Grewe said. Sam competes in football, basketball and baseball.
In the meantime, the Grewes — avid Purdue fans — have connected with the Notre Dame Football team. The Fighting Irish have “adopted” Sam, even having a formal ceremony to honor him. Sam and his family attended last week’s Blue-Gold spring game at Notre Dame Stadium and got to be a part of the pregame experience as the Irish prepared for their annual end of spring practice.
And this fall, on Sept. 8, when the Irish open the home portion of their schedule, Sam will get to lead the Irish onto the field with head coach Brian Kelly as they prepare to face — wait for it — Purdue.
“We haven’t been the biggest Notre Dame fans, but we’re all in now,” Randy Grewe said with a smile.
For updates on Sam’s condition, visit www.facebook.com/SamGreweUpdates.
Donations for the Grewe family are still being accepted at Sam Grewe Fund, c/o First State Bank Middlebury, 111 S. Main Street, Middlebury, IN 46540.




