LEXINGTON — Cade Stover has never doubted he will one day operate a farm in Lexington.
“There was never any doubt I had that I was coming back here to live,” the 24-year-old said, sharing news he recently purchased a farm in his hometown.
Though his visit in Lexington was brief Wednesday, the Houston Texans tight end helped to present a 5-figure check to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at Nickel & Bean.
Nickel & Bean selected the 2018 “Mr. Football” and Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year to be the coffee shop’s “Hometown Hero” in September 2023.
Five cents from each item purchased at Nickel & Bean from fall 2023 through the middle of February 2025 supported the donation drive for the shop’s “Every Nickel Counts” campaign.
Nickel & Bean’s “Hometown Hero” selects a non-profit of that individual’s choice to benefit. Stover said he selected St. Jude to offer hope and help to children and their families.
“You hate to see young kids go through what they go through, but I hope this money that we generate can help them get treatment and keep moving,” Stover said.
“When Stacie asked me to do this Hometown Hero thing, I was first really happy that this shop was around to offer a business and attraction in the village, and really humbled to be able to help.”
‘Every Nickel Counts’ St. Jude drive raises nearly $12K
Siblings Stephen Webster Jr., Shellie Wong and Stacie Elkhoury founded Nickel & Bean in 2018.
A Nickel & Bean team member chooses a “Hometown Hero” to honor, and the shop raises funds for the nonprofit of choice. Webster said this was the longest donation drive Nickel & bean hosted.
“We’re definitely proud of the funds raised, which is really representative of the community’s support of us and the growth of our shop here,” Webster said.
Elkhoury coordinated an event Wednesday to present the check, inviting Stover, elected officials and a St. Jude representative.
“We knew Cade’s time in Lexington was brief, so we were trying to coordinate a lot of things,” Elkhoury said. “When we called St. Jude on less than a day’s notice, Ashley came here to receive the check in person.”
Ashley Eddie, St. Jude’s area executive director for Ohio and West Virginia, said the funds raised will help support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patients and their families.
St. Jude treats more than 8,000 pediatric patients each year who have cancer or other diseases they treat and study. St. Jude families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food.
“It’s the place that you never want to have to go, but you’re so grateful it’s there,” Eddie said.
“Our entire goal is to defeat childhood cancer and to support families so they can focus on helping their child live.”
‘It takes a lot of generosity to generate that’
Eddie thanked Nickel & Bean and its customers for the check, ringing in at $11,726.30.
“I think the part to celebrate about this is it’s a nickel at a time,” Eddie said. “It takes a lot of generosity to generate that and give that away.
“It really drives home what we always say of every little bit helps. These funds are increasing survival rates and helping families know they can say goodnight to their children and see them the next morning — that’s the reality of the work we do.”
Mayor Bob Jarvis thanked Nickel & Bean and Stover for partnering for the drive.
“It’s a tremendous thing for our village to host Nickel & Bean and give to a great cause,” Jarvis said. “We really appreciate them for putting this venture together.”
Richland County Commissioner Tony Vero, a Lexington resident and former councilman, also attended Wednesday’s event.
“What this little coffee shop is doing for the Lexington community and worthy causes is fantastic,” he said. “Cade has definitely done the community and the state proud and we’re happy to have him back.”
Learn more about St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital online at stjude.org.