Community Corner
Fundraiser Proceeds to Benefit Buddy Christian Trust
Event will be held in conjunction with the Hamilton Mill consignment sale.
Back in March of this year, Melissa Stripling and her husband bought the Hamilton Mill Consignment Sale from its previous owners. Upon meeting the owners, Stripling and her husband learned of the tragedy involving Buddy Christian and his family only days before. Elmer “Buddy” Christian, an Athens-Clarke County senior police officer and cousin to one of the previous owners, had been killed by a violent felon. “Buddy” Christian left behind a wife and two young children. Stripling and her husband felt the need to do something to help the family.
"We weren’t sure what that would be so we prayed about it and asked God to help us help them," Melissa said.
The idea of a Buddy Christian Fundraiser combined with their first consignment sale was the answer.
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“I believe our public servants are some of the most amazing people and when tragedy like this strikes we need to band together as Christians and take care of our brothers and sisters in Christ," Stripling explained. "So many asked why I would do this for complete strangers, and my answer is because God told me to and I’m not one to be disobedient.”
The Hamilton Mill Consignment sale will be held from Aug. 18 through Aug. 20 at the Dacula Plaza Shopping Center, 465 Dacula Road. In conjunction with the sale there will also be a Buddy Christian Trust Fundraiser. One hundred percent of all the donations collected for the duration of the sale will go to the trust that has been established to support Christian’s wife and children.
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How can Dacula residents get involved? On Friday, the sale opens to the public at 9 a.m. but shoppers can get in early (8:30 a.m.) by donating $5 to the Buddy Christian Trust. Donations will also be accepted at checkout on each day of the sale. On Saturday, consignors will have the option of participating in a dollar dash on leftover items. The dollar dash is for individuals who are consigning items only and all proceeds from the dash will be given to the trust fund. If you are unable to attend the sale you can still make a difference for this family by visiting the Buddy Christian Trust Fund website.
Learn more about the upcoming consignment sale on their website.