The Childhood Cancer Awareness Group of Coffee County has a goal for 2023: Sell 5,000 t-shirts. Since its inception in 2011, the group’s t-shirts have been a tremendous marketing and fund-raising project.
One of the CCAGCC’s biggest advocates was the late David Lindsey. He believed in the organization and donated both his time and resources to further its cause. His goal was always to sell 5,000 t-shirts. The group has gotten close a few times but it’s always fallen a little short. This year, the CCAGCC has an informal campaign they call “Do it for David.” And they’re hoping that this year is the year that sees at least 5,000 shirts go out the door.
On Monday, August 14, 2023, the CCAGCC’s office opened. It is open during August and September, and is located at 114 N. Peterson Ave., Suite 206, (underneath Smile Doctors/facing Holt’s/on end next to Madison Avenue). The headquarters will be open from 11 am – 2 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through September 1. After September 1, the office will open Monday – Friday; hours will be announced later. T-shirts and much more will be available at this location.
While childhood cancer is an ever-present obstacle to those families who deal with the disease on a daily basis, September is the month that the masses focus this scourge that affect so many children throughout the area. Every year, September is deemed Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and this is when the CCAGCC gets much more visible. The projects begin the second week of August and continue through the month of September.
The group is already selling its t-shirts. It also hosts silent auction on Friday, September 29 from 9 am – 6 pm at the Central Square Gym. There will also be a live auction Saturday, September 30 with dinner starting at 6 pm and the auction starting at 7 pm, also at the Central Square Gym. Both auctions feature variety of items ranging from gift certificates to local businesses, handmade items from donors, children’s gifts, golf carts, guns, concert tickets, and more. These auctions are the group’s primary fundraisers and provide many of the financial resources the group uses to operate on throughout the year.
The CCAGCC is about more than just raising awareness and funds. The group springs into action once a child receives a cancer diagnosis. After they are given a physician signed diagnosis and treatment plan, members go to work. The group helps the child and the family with medical expenses, hotel stays, gas money, and so much more. The doctors’ visits and travel will often require a parent’s full time attention, which is when the group will step in and help cover car payments, rent, groceries and any necessities the family may need assistance with at that time.
The organization assists children not just from Coffee County, but any neighboring county as well. Currently, the group is servicing about 8 kids from Coffee County and surrounding areas.
Coffee County certainly has its fair share of worthy organizations that are advocating on behalf of children and families. But you’d be hard pressed to find another group more dedicated to lending a helping hand to the most vulnerable in the area than the CCAGCC. Everyone pitch in this year and help the group hit its goal of 5,000 t-shirts. If you or anyone you know would like to purchase a t-shirt, stop by the group’s headquarters or visit its Facebook page for more information.
Do it for the children who are battling for cancer. And do it for David.