RRSpin - Christmas bags continue Hardy's legacy

Wednesday, 20 December 2017 11:35

Christmas bags continue Hardy's legacy ^Featured

Written by Lance Martin

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Paula, right, and her mother, work on the gift bags. rrspin.com

In the 500 bags reminders of Christmas past were placed — nuts, fruit, candy and hand-signed cards.

For members of Hope for Hardy the bags are a way to say thanks.

Hope for Hardy is a local organization which raises funds for organ transplant recipients and brings awareness to organ donation.

“We wanted to give something back,” said Kimberly Stansbury Graybeal, a friend of the late Doug Hardy, the namesake of Hope for Hardy. “We’re always asking for donations. We wanted to have an opportunity to give back.”

Since formed in 2013 after Hardy’s death, the organization has distributed $12,000 among 10 different people to help defray expenses for medication, travel, co-pay or other needs.

Two-hundred of the bags will be distributed to the Boy’s and Girl’s Club, Community Home Health and Hospice and Signature Health. The remaining 300 will be distributed during Christmas Eve services at First Christian Church on Roanoke Avenue. The service begins at 5 p.m.

Hope for Hardy began as a fundraiser to help meet the medical expenses Hardy and his family faced as he waited for a liver transplant. He never got the transplant and the former Halifax County chief probation officer died in August of 2013.

The initial efforts of Hope for Hardy did pay the medical bills the family incurred and the organization continues as a means to raise awareness and funds for others going through similar trials.

The organization decided on distributing the bags this year as way to say thanks to others.

Graybeal remembers receiving the bags as a child. “It was done here at this church when I was a little girl. It stirs up nostalgia. It conjures up feelings of harmony and happiness.”

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Paula Hardy, Mr. Hardy’s daughter, helped fill the bags in the fellowship hall of First Christian Monday evening. “For me it’s just awesome to see his legacy going on. That’s what it means to me, to carry on his legacy and helping others.”

Mr. Hardy’s daughter Kayla Pittman said, “To me it’s about helping others who are in need like when we help others who need transplants. It’s about blessing others because we were blessed.”

Donna Hardy, Mr. Hardy’s wife of 26 years, said her husband would be proud. “When we were on our last trip to the hospital he said, ‘You know, Donna, I hurt and I’m sick. If one person comes to the Lord through all of this it’s worth it.’ He said it wasn’t about him, it’s about the Lord. He said he wanted to be a servant of the Lord. In essence, he instilled that in my children. I think it’s instilled in them to serve others. That this mission and ministry has helped others, I know he would be so blessed.”

The bags for Signature and Community Home Health and Hospice have an added bonus — homemade crystal Borax snowflakes which were made by students at Belmont Elementary School’s Hope for Hardy Charity. “That just warms my heart the children elected to have a club and even after I retired to keep that service project continued,” she said.

Doing the simple activity, Mrs. Hardy said, “I think it helps me heal. For me, there is good even in a loss. God will sustain you through it. Hope for Hardy helped us with medical expenses.”

With the organization helping others since its formation, Mrs. Hardy said, “When you have the joy that comes from helping somebody it helps you overcome. I know my husband would be honored.”

Flora Butts, Mr. Hardy’s sister, said, “This is a way to continue his legacy.”

One of the people helping was Bella Carroll, a member of Distinguished Young Women of the Roanoke Valley and a member of First Christian. “This is my church home and the people mean a lot to me,” she said. “It’s just not about service, but being a friend.”

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