Ashley Bentley, Birmingham, Alabama
Since that first day, S.M.I.L.E. has grown into an official non-profit organization with an amazing board of directors and volunteer team to promote love and encouragement through God’s word. We have provided uniforms and Thanksgiving meals-in-a-basket, and we have had wonderful motivational speakers such as Miss Alabama USA, Miss Black Alabama USA, and the country superstar, Sara Evans. S.M.I.L.E. also has been very active in fundraising drives including Angel Tree, Coats for Kids, the Princess Project (gathering prom dresses for girls in need,) and Build-a-Backpack (packaging school supplies for inner city elementary schools.)
It is amazing to see the miracles that happen each day in these children’s lives, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead in the future — simply because S.M.I.L.E. made a difference in someone’s life.
S.M.I.L.E.
Over a year ago, I had the privilege to be a cheerleading coach for an inner city high school in Birmingham, Ala. Two other volunteers and I quickly realized much more was needed than just helpful skill sets. We began providing life’s most basic necessities: food, water, clothing, and most importantly love, prayer, and encouragement. It was this experience that inspired me to begin Sports Ministry Inspiring Lives & Education (S.M.I.L.E.)Since that first day, S.M.I.L.E. has grown into an official non-profit organization with an amazing board of directors and volunteer team to promote love and encouragement through God’s word. We have provided uniforms and Thanksgiving meals-in-a-basket, and we have had wonderful motivational speakers such as Miss Alabama USA, Miss Black Alabama USA, and the country superstar, Sara Evans. S.M.I.L.E. also has been very active in fundraising drives including Angel Tree, Coats for Kids, the Princess Project (gathering prom dresses for girls in need,) and Build-a-Backpack (packaging school supplies for inner city elementary schools.)
It is amazing to see the miracles that happen each day in these children’s lives, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead in the future — simply because S.M.I.L.E. made a difference in someone’s life.
Sarah Bazzell, Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Her daughter, Christy Ryan, heard about Pink Heart Funds, a non-profit organization in Long Beach, Miss., which provides wigs for children and adults with conditions causing hair loss, including cancer patients receiving cancer treatment. Pink Heart Funds founder JoAn Niceley learned firsthand the emotional and psychological impact—and the determination necessary to get through diagnosis, treatment and recovery—after being diagnosed with breast cancer herself in October 2002. Since then she has dedicated her life to helping others who are going through cancer treatment. The Pink Heart Funds has provided hundreds of wigs free of charge.
Charlotte received a free wig through Pink Heart Funds. Her daughter, Christy, two of her sisters, her niece and a friend then donated their hair to the Pink Heart Funds. Another wig is being made for Charlotte, which will include some of the donated hair from her family and her friend.
For more information about Pink Heart Funds and how you can help, visit their website at http://www.pinkheartfunds.org.
Pink Heart Funds
Last fall, our associate Charlotte Laird was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after she had a swollen lymph node removed and analyzed. By January of this year she was undergoing chemotherapy treatments and began losing her hair almost immediately.Her daughter, Christy Ryan, heard about Pink Heart Funds, a non-profit organization in Long Beach, Miss., which provides wigs for children and adults with conditions causing hair loss, including cancer patients receiving cancer treatment. Pink Heart Funds founder JoAn Niceley learned firsthand the emotional and psychological impact—and the determination necessary to get through diagnosis, treatment and recovery—after being diagnosed with breast cancer herself in October 2002. Since then she has dedicated her life to helping others who are going through cancer treatment. The Pink Heart Funds has provided hundreds of wigs free of charge.
Charlotte received a free wig through Pink Heart Funds. Her daughter, Christy, two of her sisters, her niece and a friend then donated their hair to the Pink Heart Funds. Another wig is being made for Charlotte, which will include some of the donated hair from her family and her friend.
For more information about Pink Heart Funds and how you can help, visit their website at http://www.pinkheartfunds.org.
Leslie Huggins, Huntsville, Alabama
This year, in honor of Brent, I volunteered for the Greater Huntsville Humane Society’s Dog Ball on February 10, 2012. The Dog Ball is the GHHS’s main fundraiser. This year’s theme was “Prancing With The Stars,” and it is a coming out of “Celebradogs” in Huntsville Society and dogs that are in great need of a home. In fact, Brent’s beloved pug, Maxwell, was a rescue from the GHHS society.
Brent had grown over the years from a teller to a Vice President of the bank. He was a mentor who was one of a kind among his peers. He was well respected and loved in the Huntsville community. His loss is a big absence in our branch and to our bank. We plan to carry on his philosophy of excellent customer service to our customers and our community.
The Memory and Commitment of Brent Nunnally is Carried On
On January 16, 2012, my branch manager, Brent Nunnally, unexpectedly passed away. Not only was it a big loss to the Regions family but a loss to those who cannot speak for themselves, animals. Brent spent a majority of his off time working with The Greater Huntsville Humane Society, Sea Fare, Therapy Partners and several charitable organizations.This year, in honor of Brent, I volunteered for the Greater Huntsville Humane Society’s Dog Ball on February 10, 2012. The Dog Ball is the GHHS’s main fundraiser. This year’s theme was “Prancing With The Stars,” and it is a coming out of “Celebradogs” in Huntsville Society and dogs that are in great need of a home. In fact, Brent’s beloved pug, Maxwell, was a rescue from the GHHS society.
Brent had grown over the years from a teller to a Vice President of the bank. He was a mentor who was one of a kind among his peers. He was well respected and loved in the Huntsville community. His loss is a big absence in our branch and to our bank. We plan to carry on his philosophy of excellent customer service to our customers and our community.
Joy Martucci, Birmingham, Alabama
I met her in a chemistry class when we were both undergraduates at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Notwithstanding her physical challenges, she was living on her own. She earned her degree in Communications Studies in 2006, and then went to the E.H. Gentry Technical Facility in Talladega, a postsecondary rehabilitation and training center for adults, where she learned how to read Braille and to walk better with a white cane. She graduated this year from the University of Alabama with her Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, and I have pictures of her walking across the stage to accept her diploma! Anna’s story of triumphs in spite of her circumstances challenges me every day to be a better person.
An Example to Live By
I have a good friend, Anna Trotman, whose story is a great inspiration to me. Anna was born with a very rare genetic syndrome called Bardet Biedl Syndrome which is characterized by having vision problems, obesity, kidney abnormalities, short and stubby fingers and toes, speech delay, and short stature. As she has grown up, she has had to overcome many obstacles and challenges in her life. She is blind, has difficultly hearing, and is 13 years out of a living-related kidney transplant from her dad.I met her in a chemistry class when we were both undergraduates at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Notwithstanding her physical challenges, she was living on her own. She earned her degree in Communications Studies in 2006, and then went to the E.H. Gentry Technical Facility in Talladega, a postsecondary rehabilitation and training center for adults, where she learned how to read Braille and to walk better with a white cane. She graduated this year from the University of Alabama with her Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, and I have pictures of her walking across the stage to accept her diploma! Anna’s story of triumphs in spite of her circumstances challenges me every day to be a better person.
Kim Stockton, Birmingham, Alabama
First found in Florida, Murdock is believed to have been displaced from his family after one of the many storms to hit the coast. Murdock was friendly and very well socialized, but he tested positive for heartworms, making it harder to get him adopted. The Mobile, Ala., nonprofit group SouthBARK rescued him from a shelter where he was likely to be euthanized. People throughout Baldwin County took turns providing homes for him, and a local animal clinic provided care.
After SouthBARK posted his information on their Facebook page, my friend Julie Ellis agreed to be his next foster owner. "No idea why—it was something about that face," Julie told me. Julie lives in Birmingham, so two volunteers offered to deliver Murdock from Mobile.
Julie kept Murdock for the next two weeks, while she made flyers, posted updates on Facebook, and emailed friends about Murdock. When I forwarded the information to Donna, she and her son, Brady, looked at the photos and description of Murdock, fell in love, and decided to adopt him. They have since renamed him "Bubba," and he is loving his new home. Donna continues to put pictures on Facebook, drawing many comments from people who have followed and been touched by this story.
To view some photos of Bubba click here: http://hardin518.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumID=20576618&AlbumKey=pdBfJZ
A Dog's Life
This is a story about a group of dog-loving strangers throughout Alabama whose efforts helped to place Murdock in the welcoming home of Regions associate Donna Parker.First found in Florida, Murdock is believed to have been displaced from his family after one of the many storms to hit the coast. Murdock was friendly and very well socialized, but he tested positive for heartworms, making it harder to get him adopted. The Mobile, Ala., nonprofit group SouthBARK rescued him from a shelter where he was likely to be euthanized. People throughout Baldwin County took turns providing homes for him, and a local animal clinic provided care.
After SouthBARK posted his information on their Facebook page, my friend Julie Ellis agreed to be his next foster owner. "No idea why—it was something about that face," Julie told me. Julie lives in Birmingham, so two volunteers offered to deliver Murdock from Mobile.
Julie kept Murdock for the next two weeks, while she made flyers, posted updates on Facebook, and emailed friends about Murdock. When I forwarded the information to Donna, she and her son, Brady, looked at the photos and description of Murdock, fell in love, and decided to adopt him. They have since renamed him "Bubba," and he is loving his new home. Donna continues to put pictures on Facebook, drawing many comments from people who have followed and been touched by this story.
To view some photos of Bubba click here: http://hardin518.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumID=20576618&AlbumKey=pdBfJZ
Sandra Hawkins, Birmingham, Alabama
The square dancers rallied with a marathon dance. Callers, cuers, line dance instructors and dancers from all over the state of Alabama and the southeast gathered at our dance hall in Fultondale to raise money for the victims, dance and fellowship. We raised $2,652, during 10 hours of dancing and fellowship, and it was donated to the Salvation Army.
Square Dancers Aren't Square
When the April tornadoes tore through Alabama, we were so concerned that our square dance hall in Fultondale, Ala. was severely damaged or completely destroyed. Fultondale was one of the hardest hit areas in the path of tornadoes that day. When we were notified that the streets were clear enough of debris so that we could go check on our building, to our surprise, it had only minor damage. The properties surrounding our building were completely destroyed. Our hearts immediately went out to all our dear friends and fellow dancers that were dealing with so much damage from that day. We also were very concerned for all the people in the path of that horrible tornado. Many lives and homes were destroyed that day.The square dancers rallied with a marathon dance. Callers, cuers, line dance instructors and dancers from all over the state of Alabama and the southeast gathered at our dance hall in Fultondale to raise money for the victims, dance and fellowship. We raised $2,652, during 10 hours of dancing and fellowship, and it was donated to the Salvation Army.