“Did you have a good night’s sleep?” That was the rhetorical question Grapevine Chamber President RaDonna Hessel posed to fellow community residents as a plea to fund a need on GRACE’s behalf.
A large blaze consumed much of a Euless apartment complex last month, and another fire took the home of a Friends & Family senior and her grandson. The two fires displaced 35 GRACE Clients, who, among other losses, lost a bed of their own.
While GRACE is able to respond to immediate needs with food, clothing and household items, Texas law requires that all mattresses be new.
In Hessel’s appeal to the community, she writes, “I just can’t imagine going through the holiday season or the New Year without a bed! …If you had a good night’s sleep, or at least a mattress to sleep on, [please] consider donating either the full $150 for a mattress or just something to help offset the cost for these individuals and families.”
The message spurred an overwhelming response. In just four days the community had given $13,000, which allowed GRACE to purchase new mattresses for each family member. The remaining funds are marked specifically for new bedding in the wake of a future fire or natural disaster.
Fortunately, objects can be replaced. This community has shown a steadfast desire to take care of its own, with the foresight to look ahead to those who might need GRACE in the future.
In life, we don’t know what circumstance we’ll meet at our doorstep some unexpected hour, but we do have the assurance of a compassionate community that is eager to help their neighbor in need.
A special thanks to the staff of the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce, the 125 donors who were compelled to contribute and Stacy’s furniture, who were kind enough to give us a wholesale rate.
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”-Mr. Rogers
