Throughout the years I have been the eager participant in so many fundraisers that they have almost become second nature to me. Putting the right power team together is the perfect start to the perfect event. With the right people, low overhead and an engaging social media page we can literally through a successful fundraiser within a matter of hours. No task goes unassigned and everyone pitches in.
Living in such a generous and loving community, we know just who to call when it comes to gathering donated food, supplies, advertising, and most importantly, manual labor. It takes all hands on deck but there is no better feeling than the feeling of giving back to the community and living with pure intentions of helping those in need.
This past week I was notified of a Fish Fry fundraiser for a friend’s family in Goldonna who has been facing countless medical treatments, testing and expenses. I was made aware of it again at this week’s School Board meeting when my fellow Board Member, Eugene Garner, told me that he and his brother have been fishing and will be fishing for days to catch all of the fish for the event. He was excited about the fishing and looking forward to cooking it as well.
This stopped me in my tracks. I had to make sure that I heard him correctly. I asked him repeat what he said. He went on to say they were fishing and hoping to catch enough fish for 250 plates and community churches and residents have all been pitching in as well.
“This is the least I can do for the family who does so much for Christmas in the Park and Goldonna as a whole”, said Mr. Garner.
His words have repeatedly danced in my mind all week.
“He and his brother were going fishing to catch the fish for a fundraiser to help with medical expenses for the Dupree family”.
It is so easy to pick up the phone and make calls to friends who can pitch in to help with store bought items. But, how many people do you know that would go out and physically catch the fish for a fundraiser? In my eyes, this was the purest form of service, self sacrifice and love. It really just spoke to my soul and showed me what true servant leadership looks like.
So much love going into the very lines used to catch the fish that will feed a crowd that will help a family.
People will often grumble at various food fundraisers because of the taste or the type of food being served. It is not about the food itself. It is about the many hands who have gathered to make the fundraiser happen and the end result.
If you are ever asked to buy a chicken plate, cold jambalaya, or anything else that may or may not taste as good as you like it, just buy the plate. Or better, yet….just donate the small amount of money they are asking for. It is not about the culinary presentation and your taste buds having a party in your mouth. It is about helping someone or an organization in a very small way that in turn makes a huge impact.
God’s love gives. Pure and simple.
“By this we know love, that he laid down his own life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth”.
1 John 3:16-18