A Community of Love - Exceeds Goal with Bracelets

by Tanya
(Alabama)

A little over a year ago, our church, Friendship Baptist in Tuscaloosa, AL organized a fundraiser selling awareness bracelets. The cause for the bracelets was to help a well liked member of our congregation, Mrs. Weeks. She was and has been a foster home parent for as long as anybody could remember. At times she would house 5 kids at a time.

One evening her house caught fire due to lightening. At the time she was caring for twin girls who were 11, a 9 year old boy and a 7 year old boy who has cerebral palsy.

Thankfully everybody was able to evacuate the home in without injuries. Unfortunalely there was no insurance to rebuild or cover any losses. Thats were we stepped in.

Our goal was to raise $50,000 to help. Soon everybody started noticing people wearing white bracelets. Our "community love" bracelets were selling fast especially with the help of the local news time. Our kids even got out there on game day and sold bracelets to out-of-towners.

We exceeded our goal by $11,000.

In addition to that, some people heard what we were trying to do and decided to help out. The main contributor did not buy any bracelets but he contracted the rebuilding of Mrs. Weeks home, free of charge.

Other local vendors also contributed their services or products, in addition to the money we raised. The bracelets represented a community coming togather in love. I couldn't have been any prouder to help.