Photo courtesy of Denise Williams.
Imagine No More Malaria
In March, Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church hosted a Fat Tuesday Celebration, complete with Dixieland Jazz and a pancake supper.
You May Say I’m a Dreamer: An Evening of Song with Kiley Watson
Oct. 17, 6 p.m.
Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church
The event will include a seated dinner, concert and silent auction featuring donated works from many area artists. Tickets are $40 each.
Area songstress and community activist Kiley Watson is already a well-known talent to many in Vestavia Hills. This month, she will lend her commanding vocal presence and contagious joy to the Imagine No Malaria campaign, a massive outreach effort undertaken by the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The Oct. 17 event, titled “You May Say I’m a Dreamer: An Evening of Song with Kiley Watson,” will be held at 6 p.m. at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church (VHUMC) and will include a seated dinner, concert and silent auction featuring donated works from many area artists. Tickets are $40 each.
The history of the United Methodist Church has been closely entwined with the operation of hospitals and clinics throughout Africa for nearly 200 years. To date, malaria remains one of the hardest diseases to conquer. According to the World Health Organization, the disease now claims a life every 60 seconds. VHUMC has made the commitment to save 10,000 lives in 2014, including a tithe of $100,000 toward the Imagine No Malaria effort.
“When we were brainstorming ideas for activities and ways to educate the congregation about malaria, one of the ideas was for me to sing in a benefit concert held at the church following a sit-down dinner and silent art auction,” said Watson. “I loved the idea and immediately started crafting a program with songs that reflected my musical journey. My hopes are that the audience will be inspired to give generously to help the church meet its fundraising goal and help eradicate malaria in our lifetime.”
To date, VHUMC has already hosted 10 events toward the cause. For member Suzanne Scott-Trammell, the entire campaign has proven to be a meaningful way to involve her young children.
After watching a screening of “Mary and Martha,” a film about malaria featuring Hilary Swank, Scott-Trammell said she was moved into action.
“As a mother, the fact that children under the age of five are dying from malaria just tears at my heart,” she said. “The guy I serve clearly tells me these are my children who are dying. These are my sisters who are losing their precious children. When we share our gifts and resources, He multiplies — it’s not about how much we give; it’s about giving with a grateful heart.”
To that end, Scott-Trammell tapped into the resources immediately available to her. She started by picking and selling blueberries from her father’s land in Clanton. After that humble effort raised $200, Scott-Trammell’s 9-year-old daughter, Meg, realized she could take part, too, and made Rainbow Loom bracelets for the cause, resulting in an additional $20.
The family also came up with a solution to tap into everyday purchases people in the community make already.
“Most of us receive more gifts than we know what to do with,” she said. “Instead of buying more ‘stuff’ for your loved ones, who probably don’t need or want it anyway, why not purchase a card where your donation can literally save the life of another?”
Those interested in purchasing a card are encouraged to contact Denise Williams at dwilliams@vhmc.org
