The fundraiser, which Maul has established as the first annual June Jamboree at Kelley Korners, will take place from 4-11 p.m. at his business, which is located just west of Kelley along 510th Avenue.
"This is going to be a gigantic, family barbecue outing; a good time all around," Maul said of the event. Featured will be a variety of activities for kids and adults, including a bounce house, dunking booths, horseshoes, volleyball and more. The Kelley Fire Department will be bringing out a fire truck for kids to view.
There will be raffles and an auction with some great prizes, which have been donated by many area businesses and organizations. "We've got everything from autographed basketballs and footballs from Iowa State to gift cards from major retailers and small retailers," Maul said.
All funds raised at Kelley Korners will benefit The Heart Connection Children's Cancer Programs, based in Des Moines. Maul said this is the only organization he could find that supports children's cancer initiatives and keeps all the money in Iowa. "They help kids with prosthetics and operations. They help families who travel to medical facilities where treatment is given, and they hold camps. (The Heart Connection Children's Cancer Programs) is a really, really neat organization," Maul said.
One Kelley family knows how important The Heart Connection is. Lisa and Dennis Grulke have a son who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in October of 1995. Luther, who is now 14 years old and the youngest of the Grulke's five children, was just 10 months old when he was diagnosed.
Lisa said their children have participated in the Heart Connection's sibling summer camp program since Luther's diagnosis, and Luther has attended oncology camp since he was old enough to go at age 5.
"Heart Connection camp has been a huge influence on our children and provided them with a necessary support network that could not be provided anywhere else. Without Heart Connection camps to help them deal with the challenges of having cancer in the family, all of my kids would have had a much tougher time growing up. They have made friends that will last a lifetime," Lisa said.
The Grulke family has also participated in other programs through the Iowa Heart Connection. Lisa will be present at the Kelley Korners benefit to speak about the Heart Connection.
"I am thrilled that Kelley Korners is doing a benefit for the Heart Connection. We have been fortunate, ever since Luther's diagnosis, the people of this community have been incredibly supportive of our family. This is a great community," Lisa said. "Not every family that goes through what we did has the same circle of support."
Maul is hoping that the circle of support from area residents who live in and around the Kelley and Slater area is huge at the benefit.
He said the barbecue will feature a variety of grilled meats from hot dogs, all the way up to baby back ribs. Depending on what is purchased, the meal cost can be anywhere from $2.75 to $8.50, he said, and everything benefits the Heart Connection.
Planning for the benefit has been much more work than Maul anticipated, he admits. "It's on my mind while I'm here working, and when I go home, I'm on the phone and computer for hours. It's really mind-boggling."
Maul took over ownership of Kelley Korners in October of 2008, and runs the restaurant/convenience store with his daughter, Ricki. The two of them and seven employees of the store will be running the benefit event.
John said he is intent on making the June Jamboree an annual event to benefit the fight against cancer. He said he's also in the beginning stages of planning a benefit event for September for kids with autism, another disease that has entered his family.
"I want everybody to come (to the June Jamboree). It's going to be a big family atmosphere. I just want it to be the neatest family party you ever went to. Everybody should have a ball and have fun," Maul said.
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