A Blind Six Year Old Sees Genorosity | Community Spirit

Sam Dillard is six years old, blind, and partially paralyzed.  But she and her family are celebrating the holidays with joy, and gratitude.  With the help of two local teachers, Sam's family has a new wheelchair accessible van that will make getting around much easier. 

Sam Dillard was born a healthy child, but began showing signs of trouble around age two. It was discovered that Sam had a tumor on her optic nerve. Surgery to remove the tumor left Sam blind and partially paralyzed. But Sam is one of the happiest children her teachers had ever known. She is energetic and strong, and has brought so much joy to so many.

Anna Myers and Lucy Memmo, two local teachers, knew of a van for sale.  The only thing standing between Sam and her van was the $5,000 purchase price.  They decided that was not going to be an obstacle, and they went about asking the community for help.  Donations came in big and small amounts.  Two fourth grade students saved, and donated, $55 dollars of their allowance to the van fund, and then held a hot chocolate sale that raised more than $300.  Two anonymous donors gave gifts of $1,000.  St. Stephen's Preschool collected money for their Holiday donation.  And these are just some of the stories.  Friends asked friends.  Family asked family and little by little the fund grew until the van could be purchased. 

A celebration will be held on December 20 at 1:00 p.m. at New Bethel Christian Fellowship located at 4634 North Southside Plaza, Richmond, VA 23224. Sam’s family will be receiving the gift of a wheelchair friendly van that meets Sam’s needs.  Join us as we celebrate this special gift, and the generosity of our community. 

You can visit Sam’s Van community facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sams-Van/186782891398589.