Community

'Never doubt that a small group 

of thoughtful, committed, citizens 

can change the world. 

Indeed, it is the only thing 

that ever has.'

For the last few months, I've been working with an amazing group of women who have had one goal in mind - raise money and awareness for our St. Baldrick's event, money and awareness that will go towards providing research grants to fight childhood cancer.

We live in a small town. We have one elementary school, one intermediate school, one middle school, one high school. It's a suburban rural town, where a quick drive will put you in the middle of beautiful farmland.

I didn't grow up in this town, but I am strongly connected it. This town gave me my first job, my husband, and now, my home.

Two years ago, my friend Judy and her committee put together a St. Baldrick's event to raise money and awareness and to honor a child in her classroom who was battling cancer.  I watched as she put together an amazing St. Baldrick's event and knew, as I watched my own cousin's son battle treatment and eventually succumb to cancer, that I needed to get involved. 

Luckily, I had kept in contact with Judy after leaving the school system and was good friends with her daughter Ashley, so it was an easy e-mail that got me involved.

I have watched this town rise up again and again - giving their time, their money, things they didn't need - towards our cause.  I saw them drape their arms around the family whose daughter lost her battle with cancer on Christmas Day by painting the town purple.

As I stood on the podium last night with the rest of our committee, I felt an amazing amount of pride.  Not only did we help to raise over $30,000 through last night's event, the event has raised close to $100,000 in three years.  The community came together, celebrated, honored, and even brought in people from surrounding communities whose children were also battling cancer.

Today was a last "hurrah" - a clothing and used goods drive has been going on all month, and volunteers have been collecting all month long. We hauled almost 2000 lbs of goods to be donated and exchanged for money.

What a good feeling - and I can't wait for next year.

2000 lbs of donations!

My friend Ashley and I, twinning at last night's event!

All of the ribbons that had been around town
were collected at last night's event
and turned into this beautiful heart.

The committee (and some of our husbands
who got roped in) at today's drop off!