ARDMORE, Okla. — Love Your Neighbor brought families, vendors and local groups together at Central Park on Saturday to raise money for nonprofits and people in need across the Ardmore area.
Proceeds from vendor spaces, car and motorcycle entry fees, donations and a 50/50 fundraiser went toward local causes. Organizers are supporting several causes, including families of children with cancer and people facing domestic violence.
Love Your Neighbor co-owner Lindsey Griffin said the organization grew from seeing a gap between people who needed help and nonprofits that lacked funding.
“It was a gap between people that were hungry and in need, and nonprofits that were lacking funding,” Griffin said. “So I thought, ‘Well Lord, how can I fix this problem?’ And He gave me this idea.”
For Griffin, that need can hit closer to home than people may realize.
“Everybody’s one paycheck away from being homeless. Everybody is one wreck away … everybody is one unscheduled life disaster away from being in need,” Griffin said.
Organizers had to change venues ahead of Saturday’s event, but Michelle Douglas described a turnout that exceeded expectations.
“We had to change venues, we had to do a lot of different things just to get this going, and it literally has turned out so much bigger than we ever thought it was going to get,” Douglas said.
The event also featured live music, food, giveaways and activities for families.
“There’s so much stress, so much going on in the world. It’s just nice to kind of get out, get fresh air,” Crystal Johnson, one of the vendors, said.
The organization’s mission is rooted in faith, something Griffin said is reflected in the Love Your Neighbor name.
“We’re doing what He calls us to do, which is love our neighbor as ourselves,” Griffin said. “So that’s what we’re stepping up and doing. We’re not talking about it. We’re being about it.”
Originally published on kten.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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