Benefit planned for baby Beckett

MARENGO — Little Beckett Kavanaugh has spent his entire life in the hospital.

Born Feb. 18, 15 weeks before his June due date, Beckett has been a patient of the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Iowa Hospital for three months, while his parents, Trevor and Tianna Kavanaugh drive to Iowa City after work to see their baby.

Knowing the emotional stress and financial burden their friends would endure, Adam and Stephanie Potts have planned a benefit for Saturday, May 24 to help pay some of the expenses.

Tianna used to work with Stephanie, said Adam Potts in an interview this month. The two couples have been hanging out together “a good handful of years,” said Adam. “They come over quite frequently.”

The Kavanaughs had moved from Belle Plaine to Victor just before Beckett arrived, said Adam. Tianna works remotely for the University of Iowa, and Trevor is a body mechanic for Cub’s Automotive in Brooklyn, he said.

They drive to Iowa City to see their son almost every day. Travel costs money, and medical bills are piling up.

They’re still uncertain how big these bills are going to be, Adam said.

Adam and Stephanie have 19-month-old daughter, and they couldn’t imagine going through what their friends are going through. “We need to do something for them,” they decided.

They began planning a benefit. “It just all clicked,” Adam said.

Ambie’s Bar in Marengo will host the benefit free of charge. Adam and Stephanie are regulars and friends of the owner, Amber Rust. She’s hoping for good weather for the benefit.

“Sounds like a lot of people are coming,” said Rust. “Sounds like we’re going to have a good turnout.”

An outdoor beer garden and other activities are expected to generate crowds and increased pedestrian traffic. The city council agreed to close East Washington Street from the intersection of Marengo Avenue and about 130 feet west to the middle of the block beginning at 6 a.m. that day.

Tianna’s father, Chris Seaton, told the Marengo City Council in March that Beckett weighed only 1 ½ pounds when he was born. As of March 12, Beckett was up to 2 pounds, 2.2 ounces and the hole in his heart had closed up, said Seaton.

The last Adam heard, the baby will be in the hospital until the end of June. He hopes the benefit will help pay the costs associated with driving to and from the hospital and with the growing medical bills.

A bags tournament will begin at 11 a.m. May 24 in front of Ambie’s. Teams should register by 10:30 a.m.

The payout will be 50/50, said Adam. The tournament winner will receive half the money, and the other half will go to the Kavanaughs.

A bake sale will begin about 11 a.m. Anyone who wants to donate drop off baked goods at the bar.

A meal of barbecue pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw and chips will be served beginning about 2 p.m. The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children 15 and younger.

A silent auction will take place from 4-6 p.m. followed by a live auction at 6 p.m.

Sam Roberts will provide live music from 7-9 p.m.

Donations can be made to the account Beckett’s Benefit at Grinnell State Bank in Marengo or at Ambie’s Bar before or during the benefit.

“It’s been kind of surreal to be a part of this,” said Adam. They’ve received 50 or 60 baskets for the silent auction, and more are coming in.

“We have had a lot of people be very generous,” said Adam. The community showed tremendous support for the benefit and for the Kavanaughs, he said.