What an incredible night in Dixon, Kentucky.
More than 120 people gathered at Hidden Hills Wedding & Event Venue to hear the vision for Still Waters Farm and support what we believe can become an incredible place of healing and hope for children in Western Kentucky.
This whole vision started because of an unbelievably generous gift. A donor gave 10 acres of land in Dixon to Sunrise with the hope that one day children who need a safe place and a loving home could find it there.
That alone is an amazing story of generosity, but what happened at the vision-casting dinner was another reminder of just how special this community really is.
A Vision for Children in Western Kentucky
Sunrise President Dale Suttles shared the vision for Still Waters Farm and talked about what this new ministry could mean for children and families in Western Kentucky.
Kellie Neal, Sunrise program director of foster care and independent living, also helped lead the evening. One of the most moving moments came when she introduced a former resident of the old Dixon center, who shared her story with everyone in the room.
There is something powerful about hearing directly from someone whose life was impacted by Sunrise. It reminds everyone that this is so much more than a building, land or a fundraising goal.
It is about children — giving them a safe place and surrounding them with people who will love them, care for them and remind them that their story is not over.
A Community That Shows Up
Vice President for Marketing and Advancement Jake Pelfrey also spoke about generosity and the incredible spirit of giving that exists throughout Western Kentucky.
That spirit was on full display throughout the evening. People showed up, including churches, businesses and families, and when the evening came to a close, they gave generously toward the beginning of Still Waters Farm.
A significant amount was raised, and every single gift moved Sunrise one step closer to seeing this vision become reality.
Clay Howerton of the Carson Myre Charitable Foundation, a great friend and supporter of Sunrise, also helped make the evening special by entertaining everyone with a magic show.
Guests watched videos and heard stories from Sunrise, enjoyed an incredible meal and spent time visiting with people who care deeply about this ministry.
Hidden Hills was incredibly generous as well. They provided the venue and the meal completely free of charge. That kind of generosity captured the spirit of the entire night.
Pastors from the local association, former residents, community members, business leaders, donors and friends of Sunrise all sat together in one room. There was a lot of laughter and fellowship, along with some emotional moments and a real sense that God is doing something special.
Occasionally, you will attend something that inspires you so much that you totally understand God is at work and His will is shining. This was one of those times.
Dale Suttles, President of Sunrise Children’s Services
Children Are Worth Showing Up For
To everyone who came, gave, served, prayed, shared, invited someone or helped make the night possible, thank you.
Still Waters Farm will not happen because of one person. It will happen because a community decided that children are worth showing up for.
Every gift helps move Sunrise one step closer to opening those doors, and one day, on the other side of those doors, there will be children who need healing, hope, a loving home and someone who believes in them.
Buckle up and let's serve those who need the hands and feet of Jesus. Still Waters is not still at all, it is a force of God.
Dale Suttles
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalm 23:2