Building a House
Let me start by mentioning that this event would not have been possible without enormous effort from our lead volunteer Michelle Rademacher and all of the other PS Charities volunteers. Two hours before the event started, the volunteers gathered at the Harbor Site in Sneads Ferry, NC to finish setting up everything for the event. The owner of the location was gracious enough to not only allow us to use his establishment but also contributed to the selling of numerous raffle tickets and much more. It was great to know that before the event had even started many people that could not attend had already purchases tickets, become home builders and made donations online. Donations for raffle items such as two guns, hotel and restaurant certificates, and many other raffle prizes that were used to create a great incentive for people to buy raffle tickets. At the event people also had other options to contribute to the event like:
• Purchasing a filled glass with the 2nd MSOB logo and the Build a House event logo.
• Participating in the auction of a certificates that people won during the raffle and donated back to the cause.
• Purchasing a brick, window panes, doors, chimney, Flag or shingles- these donations ranged from $5-$500— Of course these aren’t real materials – you buy space on a 4′ x 8′ banner to write Master Sgt Eden Pearl a personal message. The banner looked like a house and the message went on the material purchased.
• Admission tickets were sold that included the buffet and a drink ticket.
The event included two live bands, all the food you can eat and of course beverages at discounted prices. Special guests included Alicia Pearl, MSgt Pearl’s wife, the President of PS Charities and Phil from Brothers in Arm Foundation. One of the biggest take away from their speech was how thankful they were for the gratitude people were showing for this cause. The event had more than 150 people who attended many of whom were in tears following Alicia’s speech. It was a great gathering of friends, comrades, brothers and sisters in arms as well as people who simply wanted to help a wounded veteran and his family. It was an unprecedented success and on a gorgeous December Sunday afternoon. Nearly $45,000 was raised.
I truly believe that many who attended this event can say they feel as though they were proud to be part of this event. It gave them an opportunity to reflect on how thankful we are and should be to have American’s like Eden Pearl and all of our veterans who have made so many sacrifices for our country.
Just like Eden contributed to our freedom and safety; PSC will continue to support this cause along with the Brothers in Arms Foundation to help the Pearl family build a custom house that meets Eden’s disability needs.
“You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.”
— Winston Churchill