In May, the 19 month old daughter of one of my high school classmates was diagnosed with leukemia. I knew I wanted to do something right away to help. It's so easy to simply say "I'm praying for you" or "let me know if I can do anything to help." I saw lots of people saying things like this on Facebook. And while the comments were nice, and I firmly believe that they needed tons of prayers and support from their friends, I also knew they would need some tangible help. For some reason, it took me back to a message I once heard, talking about helping people in need. The speaker had said not just to tell people in difficult situations "let me know how I can help" because they'll never tell you what they need. She said, instead, offer specific things you would like to do to help so they have an easy way to say yes. In thinking about this, I really felt called into action. So, I e-mailed the family and asked what night I could bring dinner. I also immediately started a Facebook page and asked people to send money through PayPal for me to take to them since I knew they had several immediate expenses. Within minutes, money starting coming in. Isn't technology amazing? The following week, I was able to take them dinner, a large basket of gifts for their daughter, and around $700 to get started with traveling and medical expenses.
A couple weeks later, a classmate of mine who doesn't live around here any more asked me if I would get together with his dad and help plan a fundraiser for the family. I really felt like this was something I could and should do, and so I said yes. We met for eight weeks and planned an event called "Something for Sadie" and held it at The Catlin Park. We had dinner, a DJ, a cake walk, a bags tournament, face painting, a bounce house, lemon shake-ups, a photo booth, and LOTS of raffles! We were able to make over $5,000! I am sure that is a just a start for what this family will need, but I was so glad to be able to help in a tangible way. The family will be traveling back and forth to Indianapolis for treatments for the next two and a half years, but little Sadie is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery-praise God!
My mom and dad volunteered to head up the cake walk. It was a huge success! We had people waiting in line to join! We had more people than we had numbers in the circle, and we gave away about 50 cakes!
Hannah got her face painted for the first time!
Jacob got to hang out in his stroller!
2 comments:
I got goosebumps just reading this post. so awesome to be able to help a family in great need!
I love this post and it really got me thinking!! I always say to people 'If you need something let me know." I really mean it but am rarely taken up on it!! I never thought about it that way and I really love what you have done!! Thanks so much for being you!!
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