Story By Mary Bailey

It was a hot night last Wednesday, temperatures still reaching almost 80 degrees by 7 p.m.

But over at Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheatre the community gathered on the field for a charity softball game where all proceeds would go to benefit Marshall County’s non-profit organization “Not Alone.”  

Executive Director Johnathan Johnson said it is overpowering seeing the community come together but at the same time he knows what a wonderful community we are.

“It’s not that people don’t care, it’s that they don’t know. But when they do know our community is great at stepping up and standing in the gaps, especially when it comes to our children.”

Two teams faced off during the event, the Hillbilly Bucks (south Marshall County) against the Catfish Cowboys. (north Marshall County) 

In the end, the Hillbilly Bucks were victorious, taking home the winning trophy.

“I think towards the end of the game they were playing by the Savannah Banana rules,” Johnson laughed. “But it was really exciting and having the Albertville Band there, the announcers, judges, first responders, business owners, attorneys; everybody just coming together in support for the kids. Even aside from the finances just being able to bring awareness to foster care as a whole and shine a light on that. That we can help our children that are having a difficult day that we can stands in those gaps with them. That’s exactly what all of those people who participated did that day.”  

Over 32 community sponsors supported the fundraiser.

The event, hosted in partnership with Citizens Bank and Trust and Sand Mountain Park raised over $28,000.

 Johnson said the money raised is going to be used for a home that would be the child's first stop into foster care.

“At Not Alone our mission is to reduce the trauma that children experience when entering into foster care and to empower our foster families and encourage our social workers. Our current campaign is we are fundraising to build a home here in Marshall County, the property has already been donated,” he continued. “This would be used as a child’s first stop into foster care.  They would be able to stop by this home and have all their immediate needs met as far as clothing, hyenine items and comfort items and then hopefully be able to go on to their foster placement. They would have the items necessary. That’s a big support to the foster family knowing they don’t have to run out to the store late at night and get items that they don’t have on hand. We are happy to do that. Right now, not including their contributions we are $126,000 raised towards this home.” 

Not Alone is a community-powered organization dedicated to providing support for children, foster families, and social workers navigating the foster care system.

Donations can be mailed to PO Box 25, Albertville, AL, United States, Alabama. 

For more information about Not Alone and their mission, visit notalonemc.com.