By Emily Williams Andy and Jan Thrower received news on Jan. 6, 2009, that no parent wants to hear. Their son Anderson had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Their struggles seeing their son through cancer treatment, along with raising their daughter, led the Throwers to an opportunity to help other families navigate the maze of pediatric cancer. As a result, … [Read more...]
Live Like Thy Neighbor: Three Local Churches Team up for Alabama Possible Poverty Simulation
By Emily Williams Three local churches are teaming up with Alabama Possible, a statewide organization that works to help impoverished members of the community succeed, to participate in a Community Action Poverty Simulation. Independent Presbyterian Church will host a simulation that educates participants on the struggles people living below the poverty line face every day. … [Read more...]
The Good Fight: Annual Casino Night Brings Suicide Prevention to the Table
By Emily Williams At the Beat the Odds Casino Night fundraiser, as guests bet against the table, they’ll be helping raise money to improve the odds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Alabama’s campaign against suicide. The foundation has a goal of lowering the suicide rate by 20 percent by 2025. One of the main ways it works toward that goal is by educating … [Read more...]
Star Light, Star Bright: Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center Chooses Goodrich Family as Gala Chairs
By Sarah Kuper Organizers for the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center at UAB have selected a family to chair this year’s VIVA Health Starlight Gala, rather than one individual or couple. The seven co-chairs are the children and children-in-law of Mike and Gillian Goodrich. Elizabeth and Mike, Mary and Braxton, Ali and Charles, and Gracie have received the honor because of … [Read more...]
A Story of Love: Local Storyteller Hydock to Perform Valentine Story for Hoover Service Club
By Emily Williams Throughout her childhood and into her post-graduate life, Dolores Hydock didn’t realize that storytelling could be a career. Nonetheless, she began what would become an acclaimed storytelling career at 5 years old, when she entered a local storytelling contest in her hometown of Reading, Pennsylvania. Despite being the only contestant in her age group, she … [Read more...]