Do It For Durrett Goes Yard Raises $150,000

Y’all, I’m still in awe— My words will never be enough. But I am going to attempt to convey to you the gratitude I feel in my heart (as cheesy as that sounds) about the work all of you put in to make Do It For Durrett Goes Yard such a success. Our little foundation... View Article

Y’all, I’m still in awe—

My words will never be enough. But I am going to attempt to convey to you the gratitude I feel in my heart (as cheesy as that sounds) about the work all of you put in to make Do It For Durrett Goes Yard such a success. Our little foundation is growing up, and it’s all because of you! We are no longer an organization, we are a community. All of use are working together to help others, motivated by a man who lived his life in such a way that we all want to honor him. Because of the person he showed us to be and the beautiful legacy he left behind in the form of Kelly, Owen, Alice and Margot.

 

To see all of our “big families” on Friday was overwhelming. To hear their stories of how our little Foundation has changed their lives took my breath away. And it’s all because of you. Yes, you. You are the reason we are able to do what we do.

If you are reading this email, you have shown us your love and support, and for that, we thank you. Truly.

This was our first year as a partner of the Rangers Foundation, (I mean, can you believe we are their partner?!?! What an honor!) and it took our event to an even higher level…$150k to help

families going through the worst times of their lives who may not otherwise receive assistance.

I am so incredibly proud of all of you…for working so hard for this cause, because there are a lot out there. But I truly believe there is only one of us, that does what we do, that helps these families in a way no one else can.

I want to fill you in on the conversations I’ve had over the last couple of years, when I call someone to tell them that the Do It For Durrett Foundation is going to provide a little bit of relief during an otherwise unbearable time. It usually goes something like this:

Me: Hi, this is Emily from the Do It For Durrett Foundation. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I know there are no words I can say that will alleviate any pain you are feeling, but we would like to try and ease some of your financial burdens by sending you a check today. We’re doing this because we want you to be able to make your way though the grieving process without having that weight of what’s ahead bog you down. Please allow us to help in the smallest way so you are able to deal with what is important…taking care of yourself and those around you.

Then there is crying. On both sides. Not sure I have talked to anyone to date where I haven’t cried (I probably need to clean that up or turn this duty over to someone else).

But what I want to convey to each and every one of you—sponsors, volunteers, attendees, anyone who makes a donation to our Foundation—this is what we are doing. It’s pretty kick ass. There is no one else like us out there. W

e help, and we help quick. The only bad thing is that we are helping in bad times, but that’s when people need us.

So in closing…

thank you…yes, you. If you have ever sponsored, contributed to, volunteered for or attended one of our events, THANK YOU! You are the reason I am able to have those tear-filled phone conversations with a family who is finding their way through the most devastating time of their life. If only for a moment, YOU allow them to breathe.

-Emily Jones, DIFD Board Member