Fundraising continues for Lowe foundation
After Indian River High School student Justin Lowe was injured in an accident in the surf at Ocean City, Md., the Justin Lowe Foundation was set up to help raise funds for Lowe’s transportation to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Ga., where he could receive top-notch treatment for his fractured neck. Lowe was able to be transported to Georgia earlier this month, but his family and friends have kept up their fundraising efforts.
Ruth Ann Marvel, assistant to state Rep. Gerald Hocker, said that Hocker’s employees instantly wanted to do something to help.
“Some of the employees contacted me immediately after this was in the newspapers. They wanted to know what they could do as employees to help out. I brought it to Gerald’s attention, and he came up with the idea for us to do these fundraisers,” said Marvel.
Hocker will be donating 50 percent of all money taken in from the carwash at the Clarksville Hocker’s location between July 26-28 to the Justin Lowe Foundation. In addition, Hocker’s held a free ice cream sundae fundraising event Sunday, July 25, and will hold another on Aug. 1, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Hocker’s Grocery and Deli and the Quick Chef restaurant on Cedar Neck Road.
“We’ll be giving out free ice cream in a cup, and it’s going to be a make-your-own-sundae type of thing, where we’ll have a sundae bar set and you can make your own from that. It will be free – all we’re asking is that people think of Justin. We’ll have jars set up, if anyone wants to give. Everything raised will go directly to the Justin Lowe Foundation.,” said Marvel. “People may come out for the free ice cream and then, when they realize whatever they give is going directly to Justin, hopefully, we’ll get a good turnout.”
Many community members have been sending checks to the foundation through Bethel Tabernacle Church of God, where Lowe’s parents, Dicky and Ginger McGinnis, attend church and are youth pastors.
“Right now, they’re pretty confident they’re going to have some extensive medical bills, and that’s still an ongoing process – so they had set up this foundation to help with expenses that Justin may have in the future and may have now, while he’s in medical care,” explained the Rev. Dennis Millner of Bethel Tabernacle.
One member of the church contacted the Shorebirds baseball team in Salisbury, Md., and will have a table set up at the Aug. 6 game at which people can drop off donations.
“So many people are just kind of running with this thing, which is great. There has been a real outpour from the community to help them, which has been really great. I know they need it,” said Millner.
The family has also been in contact with the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” television show, after community members sent the show e-mails explaining why the family should be chosen for the show, which features home renovations for deserving families done by show staff. The show requested the family send in an application and video for their consideration.
Millner said community members have been stopping by the church to drop off donations for the foundation, and he is touched by how caring the community has been.
“How wonderful the outpouring of the community has been. I know that has been a strength for the family, to see how many people have a concern and care about Justin and how many lives his one life has touched. In the midst of such a tragedy, to see the beauty of the community coming together to rally around Justin and the family has been a real encouragement to the family,” said Millner.
Donations may be sent to the Justin Lowe Foundation, c/o Bethel Tabernacle Church of God, 34180 Omar Road, Frankford, DE 19945.
