Fairfield UMC Supper To Benefit Local Youth

Fairfield United Methodist Church’s ninth annual benefit dinner will be held Thursday, May 9, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The donation-only event will feature macaroni and cheese and sausage biscuits.

The benefit dinners were originally called “Samuel’s Supper,” but have been rebranded as “In His Arms” suppers, which is taken from Mark 10:16: “And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them.”

The dinners so far have benefited 12 local children facing serious medical/health challenges.

This year’s beneficiary is Karli Goodbar, a 14-year-old who deals with serious and ongoing medical challenges every day.

“One of the major benefits of this program is not the actual monetary gift, but instead the reassurance to families and care providers that their friends and neighbors support them and want to share their burdens,” explained Kevin Brooks, event organizer.

“This care manifests itself in different ways,” he said. “A previous effort about six years ago revealed that Karli, who depends upon a wheelchair, did not have a ramp accessing her home. A phone call to Robbie Robertson, who was part of the local Presbyterian Church’s “Mission Next Door” program resulted in that group funding and installing a ramp within days of being informed of the situation.”

The annual supper, Brooks continued, has brought together members of various local churches, including Emory UMC, Fairfield Presbyterian and Vesuvius Baptist, with the shared goal of helping local children and their families.

One hundred percent of the donations received, plus a FUMC annual donation, goes to the child and family; all overhead costs are covered by various church members.