The Power of Community

It amazes me every time I encounted the amazing willingness of my small town to come together and support a cause for one of its own. 
Last year, my 19-year-old neighbor, Hayle Shay Brown, was critically injured after an accident during a motocross race.  She has endured numerous surgeries and continues to suffer from heart problems, as well as being paralyzed from the waist down.    Despite her injuries, she maintains a positive attitude and has the adopted the motto "hope does not give up".  In addition, she is joining the board of a local organization that supports causes like her own, so that she can spread her message and share her attitude with people who truly know and feel her pain.
On Thursday, her family and friends put on a benefit in Hayle's honor, in order to raise money for her mounting medical bills.   The event was held in the Assembly Hall at the local expo center - a very large room with a stage and tons of cafeteria style tables, and the place was packed by the end of the night.  Adam and I were touched to see how many of the neighbors came out, as well as donated items for the silent and live auctions.  Ms Hayle and her parents made speeches about how tough their journey has been and, despite that, how much they refuse to give up hope that she will one day walk again and they will be able to return their lives to a sense of normalcy.   Most heart-warming of all was finding out, during the event, who had actually done the work to make it happen and spread the word.  A local real estate agency - competitors of the real estate agency Hayle's father owns - ran the event and made sure it went off without a hitch.    When I heard this, I got very choked up as I was reminded of the goodness not only in people, but also in local businesses. 
Other local businesses, such as a prominent HVAC repair firm, donated services that went for thousands of dollars, far above their actual value. 
Adam and I were struck by how willingly the entire community came out to support this brave young woman and show her that her plight will not be forgotten or ignored, and that her family will not be left to bear the burden alone.     I pray that for Hayle, hope really doesn't ever give up.