For the Love of Isabelle

On March 13th, 2010, a fundraiser was held called "For the Love of Isabelle". Family, friends, and some people who don't even know us spent months planning this wonderful event on Isabelle's behalf. With our heads still spinning from her diagnosis, they jumped in and gave sacrificially of their time and resources to make this happen for her. It was overwhelmingly touching and beautiful to see so many people come together out of the love in their hearts.

We did not see it, but someone took a picture of this amazing rainbow on their way to the event that day. I thought it was very fitting.

The fundraiser was a spaghetti dinner with entertainment and a silent auction. I cannot even describe to you what kind of work and thought must have gone into planning every detail of the night. Everything went beautifully and I think everyone who attended was very encouraged. I know I was! We prayed so hard and were so thankful that Isabelle was feeling well enough to be there for her "party". She probably had no idea what was going on, but she thought it was so cool!

Nannee and Izzy:

Dessert table: all donated by different individuals and bakeries.

The silent auction area and some people making their bids:

We were amazed and so touched at all the beautiful items that were donated.

The Roanoke Moose Lodge DONATED the use of thier space! We were so touched by that as well! They even had some of thier staff on hand to help out!

It really was the perfect size and layout for it.

Some of the ladies who were serving dinner:

Some of the people filing in:

Getting plates ready to serve:

Getting drinks ready:

Pictures of some of the items and baskets donated:

Boys bike donated by Wal-Mart in Salem:

Coca-cola themed basket:

Game night and landscaping baskets:

Movie night basket:

Deluxe Scrabble set:

Up close pictures of some of the desserts:

Cake made by a sweet lady that I go to church with:

Mmmmm, dinner. The spaghetti was all donated by ladies from various churches.

Over 400 people showed up!! It was amazing!!

People lined up to get spaghetti:

The bluegrass band also donated to use of their time. They were awesome!

Isabelle's cousin Molly at the dinner:

Tony Vines, a Christian musician, who also donated the use of his time. He was the closing entertainment.

A local caricature artist also donated the use of her time and set out a jar for people to make donations to Isabelle.

My sister Susy and Jamie Hatfield took tickets at the door.

The guest of honor enjoying some spaghetti:

Ben getting up to thank everyone who had a part in the evening.

A picture of all the decorations before everyone got there. Most of the decorations were donated by Captain Party. They donated all of thier leftover Valentine's Day stuff.

I think there was some concern before hand that we might run out of spaghetti, but the individuals planning this event prayed that night that God would divide the spaghetti as He did the loaves and the fishes and boy did He ever! There were 12 pans leftover! Some of them were sold to people to take home, some were given to one of the churches for a dinner they were having the next day and some were given to the Rescue Mission. It is so amazing to me what God can do when His people work together! We were so encouraged at all the people who showed up to support Isabelle. As my husband said, some of them we knew and loved, and some of them we loved, but didn't know. It was truly and overwhelming night that will be forever engrained in my memory. We felt so LOVED! That is the only way I know how to put it! I have never felt so loved before!! God is soooooo good! And He was definitely glorified that night!

John 13:35-By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.

Here is a link to see a newspaper article that was written about the dinner the day before:
http://jamiehardhat.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-salem-community-news-from-salem.html