Contest Winners
Congratulations to all the winners of the monthly Gatherings with Purpose Small Towns Big Dreams contest.
We hope the following winning stories will inspire you to kick-start your dream community improvement project!
April winner: Laura C. Rowe, Hampton Roads, Virginia
Congratulations to our April winner, Laura C. Rowe. Laura will use her $500 to help collect new and gently used shoes and distribute them to local underprivileged families, school districts and homeless shelters.
The Got Sole Project collects new and gently used shoes and distributes them to local underprivileged families, school districts and homeless shelters. The attached video clip was filmed at our first fundraiser, in 2011. The monies raised allowed us to supplement the sizes still needed, as well as new socks. We are now preparing to distribute shoes in spring, summer and fall of this year and the need continues to rise. The $500 for the Small Town Big Dream Contest would allow us to purchase approximately 100 pairs of shoes, and change the lives of 100 people! Thank you for considering our cause and allowing us to continue to offer Faith, Hope and Love through shoes!
March winner: Stacey Adkins, Norfolk, Virginia
Congratulations, Stacey. We wish you the best of luck with your spritual leadership conference for at-risk children.
Imagine a spiritual leadership conference for at-risk children. A conference that allows children from low-income and poverty-stricken homes to experience God's love and learn skills they'll take with them as they become the leaders of tomorrow. Youth Councils is an annual spiritual retreat where the teens from across the state come together, learn about the Bible, deal with the important issues they face and in many cases change their lives. Youth Councils is a great opportunity for teens to get out of their present circumstances and have a weekend of fun away from the stress of home. We are committed to providing the experience and opportunity of Youth Councils to 25+ children, the cost of which is approximately $200/child. The gift of your 'like' will help provide these children with the opportunity to experience God's love and amenities and accommodations that we too often take for granted.
February winner: Bonnie Bradshaw, Suffolk, Virginia
Congratulations, Bonnie! We can't wait to hear more about how you will use your $500 prize to give back to children in your community.
My dream is to take Mema's Mission to the next level. In remembrance of Lou Mason, a retired teacher's assistant with the Suffolk school system, I started Mema's Mission the day of her burial. She was the mother I never had, the one who believed in me and gave me the confidence to pursue my own life's goals. I watched her give back to children without recognition and enjoy doing it.
My life's ambition has always been helping others, even if I went without. Mema's Mission gives donated used clothing, luggage, beds, dressers, etc., to those in need, including foster children. The one thing that has tattooed itself on my soul is one teen saying to me that he was not worth anything, that all he has is in garbage bags, and that is how he is looked upon, as garbage. From that day forward I have asked everyone I know for their unsold yard sale items, clothing that their children have out grown, etc. I'm looking for luggage so there will never be another child using a garbage bag. I would love to be able to win this $500.00 to purchase new needed items, most of all luggage for the children.
My desire is to get the word out about Mema's Mission. We accept all clothing, toys and furniture items. Since our economy is in the shape it's in, I am out of everything. I received a phone call last week for bunk bed to keep a sibling group together, and I could not help. Making a difference is what it's all about, giving back to those in greater need than ourselves. If you have donated items please call 757-338-3344.