By Cindy Smith
Do you ever find yourself driving down the road, looking at the houses you pass and wondering what the lives of the families inside those homes are like? I catch myself doing this. I have actually done this for years especially on holidays when I am traveling to my parent’s home to be with family. For the longest time, I envisioned homes like mine; I thought every home was filled with laughter and love. My home growing up consisted of parent’s that were able and willing to work, two healthy children (my brother and I), responsibility, and there was love and peace. Don’t get me wrong, it was by no means perfect.
A few years back I became involved with ACS Relay for Life and later with the local Childrens Center. I quickly learned that life is not always so easy or so ordinary for some folks. In September of 2014, my niece Cayla and I joined with some great folks; together we formed the FENTRESS HOPE FOUNDATION.
This organization has meant so much…. Actually, I sit here trying to think of the words to describe it and I struggle with how to explain what it truly means to me. It has blessed me over and over again, in two short years. Since we formed, we have been able to accommodate our friends and neighbors. I have met and became friends with people, that without this organization, I would most likely never have gotten to know. It has brought joy and sadness. We have been able to assist and make lives better when people were in need.
I want to share a little about how we began or maybe the times that the dream began. There are lots of things that brought me to the realization that we needed to be able to help people locally. However, there are a few key situations that truly opened my eyes.
Back in 2012 my brother and sister-in-laws nephew James Franklin found himself in rapidly failing health, in Houston, Texas at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. I had watched James grow-up, when my brother Chris and Loretta married years ago that family was then part of my family. James was a school teacher, an active member with the Fentress County Volunteer Rescue Squad and was loved by many.
This is the part of the story that I think some people may miss… when you find yourself deathly ill, there is nothing that prepares you for that – mentally, emotionally or financially. Medical bills can go through your savings rapidly, insurance is great, but it doesn’t begin to help with gas cost, food, stays away from home, etc. When you have close family that are willing to help that’s a great blessing, a healthy support system can be key in winning a battle and even more effective when days are numbered, but this can find the whole family in a financial strain.
As I said, James was in Houston, Texas, he was with his wife Lucy, and a long way from home. The community had come together and helped in lots of ways, through benefits, etc. He had flown there on a commercial plane but now was not healthy enough to fly back home. I remember well the conversation that we had and he said “Cindy, please get me home.” I promised him I would but had no idea how I could make that happen. I called a medical helicopter service that told me it would be more than $20,000.00. I learned then that medical helicopters do not fly you home, even when you are a member, if the transportation is to a smaller or less equipped hospital. His family had looked into getting an RV and driving and getting him, but the doctors had informed us that he most likely would not make the trip. Lots of other ideas had come together, but it seemed that everywhere we turned, we ran into a wall. Everyone was pulling their funds but it just was not enough time was quickly passing and it seemed very grim.
We had shared the story as it unfolded on Facebook, when a very wise lady sent me a private message and said “I have $300.00 I can give you” she said “Cindy, let people know that you have a need” she continued on and told me that she would give me the $300.00 if I would put a post on Facebook saying I needed help, and let others know that I had a person willing to make a donation. Anyone that knows me knows I, like so many others, have a problem asking for help for myself. But, I don’t have a problem asking for someone else. I did exactly what she told me to do and the response was amazing.
About the same time a dear friend of mine, the late Turk Baz happened through my door. He immediately knew something was wrong and asked me what was going on. I shared my story and he asked me to come to WDEB radio station, to do a news story. I was very hesitant in the beginning, but agreed and we did. About an hour before I went to the station Dr. Chad Conatser called, again I remember the conversation well. Dr. Conatser said “we are going to get James” It caught me off guard and I was skeptical, but I listened. The plan was that Dr. Conatser, PA and Pilot Gary Burkes and Pilot Joey Fowler would be leaving Friday or Saturday; weather permitting, to bring him home. These guys immediately became not only my hero’s but hometown hero’s for lots of people. They had already done the figures and told me they would need $4,000.00 for fuel and that was all they needed. The news story aired at 5:00 pm on WDEB… there are not words to express the outpour of love and the kindness shown was amazing. The people that walked through the door of my shop that night gave me a new understanding of the love in our little community. By 10:00 that night we had more than we needed and I was telling people that we had the needed funds, but the support continued. James made it home and was able to spend his last days with his family and friends, before passing on July 2, 2012. This was my first realization of what could happen when our awesome community came together with a common cause.
There was two more little guys that I was blessed to get to know. The first was an amazing little guy by the name of Alex LaRue. I first got to know Alex and his momma though Relay for Life. Alex was just a little guy when I first met him but man did he have a big impact of the lives around him – he was a super hero. I could go on and on about the times I seen him walking survivor laps, taking part in Relay activities and more.
A few years after I originally meet Alex, a local organization came to me and told me that they wanted to send Alex and his family on a cruise. They went on to tell me that they would like to remain anonymous. Wow, I was blown away with their generosity and was so excited when they asked me to be part of such an amazing event. They had a certain amount of money they wanted to put toward it, and Tracey Burnett, principal at South Fentress Elementary was on board to assist through the school in letting him know and making it a big celebration. Again it was let known what was happening and the community came together to support the cause. Donations came in and with the help of Marsha Dickens the cruise was booked. Alex was able to sit in on the planning; he picked his room for the cruse, his destination and so many other details. It was amazing to me when we talked about what day he would be boarding the plane in Nashville, Alex looked at me and said “what time do we have to be at the airport?” I told him and I noticed a studied look on his face for just an instant and he quickly told me what time they would need to leave home to arrive in Nashville, I was surprised and his momma reminded me that this was regular trip to treatments for him. Through all the love shown the family had a trip paid in full. It was a time that allowed them to put their worries aside, as much as possible, and watch their little boy have fun.
I was blessed to get to know Alex, his momma Darla Ardziejewski and his aunt Regina Price better in the months and days that followed. The impact that Alex had on this community was amazing, on one occasion they had a super hero night at Clarkrange High School, and it was evident of the lives touched. Alex went home to be with the Lord just shy of his 12th birthday, on July 9, 2014.
The last story I am going to share is about was a little guy by the name of Gage Watson and his grandma Belinda Winningham and great aunt Teresa Copeland. It seemed like Gage’s battle came on in like a hurricane and his days were very short. I learned that “Make a Wish Foundation” was sending him on a trip but his granny was unable to financially make the trip. Again, the community came together and made that happen. Also with this little guy, the family contacted me and told me that they would like to have a time of prayer for him prior to taking their trip in three days. My initial thought was that there was no way to plan this with only three days. Then it hit me, this is prayer we are talking about…. God has this covered. I called a great friend and man of God and said I need your help. Bro. Andy Lowe stepped in and again I was amazed with this community. Three days later our county court house was packed, the windows, were opened so the people outside could hopefully hear what was going on. It was a wonderful time.
Seems like with each time there are little things I remember, with this one… I remember so well pulling into work and as I got out of my vehicle a guy met me. He said “I would like to make a donation to the little boy your all are planning the trip for.” I said “that will be great come on in and I will get you a receipt.” He said “I don’t need one; this is just a little something my family had put back”. I asked if I could get his name and he said he would rather remain anonymous. He had some money rolled up and handed it to me, when I got inside I found that he had given me $500.00. I saw that same face the night we met at the courthouse. One lady came in and pulled a $5 bill and five $1’s from her pocket and told me that was all she had between now and pay day but she wanted to do something. You know every dollar given made a difference.
Gage’s family, including his granny enjoyed a great Disney trip. Cancer won this battle and Gage went home to be with his heavenly Father on June 6, 2014 at the tender age of 3.
There were other issues, but these are the three that stand out most in my mind. The goodness of this community is never ending. In early 2014, I was talking with my niece, Cayla Smith. We were discussing the needs in our community and the goodness of people here. We talked about some day doing something that could make a difference for the families here on regular bases. As many of you know I am active in other areas and love them all, so it would have been really easy for me to have just talked about it, let it go and stay busy with other activities. But, Cayla was persistent about moving forward with this idea we had. From there we talked with Ashley Bilbrey who jumped on immediately.
We started talking, dreaming and looking into areas we could move in. We all talked to people that might be interested in assisting; several of whom now serve on our board. In September of 2014 with Cayla Smith and Ashley Bilbrey at my side we had our first meeting… opened to the public in search of people that had like ideas and desires at the Fentress County Court House. The crowd was small but the ideas were big and the planning began. Later that month we put into place a board of directors, and by laws. We have been blessed to have great support of this community. Through lots of assistance we have since received our 501c3 nonprofit status and have been able to assist local families with more than $40,000.00. There are so many people that have assisted, in so many ways. There are a few I want to send a quick shout out to. They are Romer, Lane & Howard Law office, H&R Block, our original sponsors Buckeye Home Medical Equipment, Signature Health Care, Quality Private Duty, Hall Family Pharmacy and Allardt First Baptist Church. Since this time we have gained other sponsors and greatly appreciate each and everyone.
I remember well the meeting that Mrs. Nancy Reed sat in on and made the first donation to the organization and we were excited to need a bank account. I also remember the very first gas card that was presented. Working with Tim Smith and Rhonda at Express Deli and Market to make it all work out was the first of many blessings. Since this time we have given hundreds of dollars in gas away. A few months back we began working with Ray Swafford, Swafford and Sons and their crew to provide gas in the Clarkrange area, as well as Leslie Clark Ledbetter’s office on a number of levels.
I can’t share all this without giving a shout out to a number of people that have been so active from the beginning. I have been honored to serve as President with the original officers and directors: Ashley Bilbrey, Vice President; Linda Bowmer, Secretary and Becky Chandler, Treasurer. Directors included Lyndon Baines, Sherry Bowden, Kim Davidson, Melissa Gilbert, Billy Scott and Cayla Smith. We later added directors with wisdom in specific areas – Medical – Dr. Chad Conatser, Board of Education – Tonya French, Media – William Bilbrey, Social Worker – Regina Price. We have had a couple of the original step down Billy Scott and Linda Bowmer, replacing them are Heather Harvey, Secretary and James “Red” Bowden and we have added one other position with Dee Cooper. These guys have been nothing short of amazing they have some of the biggest hearts of anyone I know, I am honored to serve with them as well as call them friend. They educate me daily. In addition we have some wonderful volunteers.
Areas we have been fortunate to assist with include: gas, groceries, appliance needs, transportation, medical issues, prosthetic limbs, cost of motels/hotels, home and vehicle repairs, housing, loan payments, etc. We strive to be good stewards of the money at hand; we work hard at helping with other resources. We base our assistance on an application; we take each and every application serious and strive to assist in the needed areas.