Ringgold Benefit Friday, September 5
The Robby Hopkins Band, Zack Dylan Band, Casey Adams Band, Dakota Williams, and Greg Shirley will all perform at the new Robin Christian Performing Arts Center at RInggold High School on Friday, September 5 in a benefit for Bridgett Coley.
The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are available in advance for just $10 at the Legendary Ice Cream Parlor in Ringgold, next to the Food Lion. Tickets will be available at the door for $12.
Bridgett's story:
Bridgett Payne-Coley attended Ringgold High School and is a class of 1992 graduate. It was there that she met the love of her life, Mark Coley. In 1996 they married and have since had four children, Mathis (age 13), Alexis (age 12), and Kennedy and Seth (twins, age 10).
Bridgett and her family are dedicated to helping others, and it was never more evident than on the evening of April 27, 2011. Immediately following the F-4 tornado that devastated Ringgold and its citizens, Bridget and her husband, Mark, gathered tools and took off to help anyone who needed assistance. She teamed up with The First Response of America team and spent countless hours clearing debris for local businesses, cemeteries, and home sites. Long after the team left to help others who were being affected by disasters, Bridgett and her family continued donating time to help rebuild Ringgold as volunteer partners with Rebuilding Hope. Modern Woodmen of America’s, Shane and Jennifer Catlett, presented her with the Hometown Hero Award in recognition for her volunteer efforts.
In April of 2012, Bridgett was diagnosed with cancer. Her family was facing what many might call a disaster. Rather than allowing cancer to control her life, she and her family push through while having support from family and friends and having faith that God will take care of them.
Since being diagnosed, they have been faced with many obstacles. She has left her children on numerous occasions, so she could travel to MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas, to get help with fighting this horrible disease. She has endured radiation treatments and two surgeries and is continuing to take chemotherapy.
Bridgett and her family have maintained a wonderful outlook on life and looks forward to living every day to it’s fullest. She does her very best to accept what God has given her and takes every opportunity to spread His word. Throughout this journey, Bridgett has laid her burdens at the feet of our Lord and accepted cancer as her gift from God. Her gift, she says, has presented her with more opportunities to tell others how God has worked in her life, and she is often heard saying, “I am not worried, God’s Got This!” The phrase has since become her motto: God’s Got This! She spends hours telling others how cancer has strengthened not only her relationship with God, but also her family’s relationship with God. “God has a plan, and while we might not know what our journey has in store, we will enjoy every minute of it because God’s got this!”
Bob Payne grew up in Chattanooga and graduated from Baylor School. He is the Entertainment Editor for the Chattanoogan.com and talent buyer for Friends Of The Festival.
Email Bob Payne at davrik2000@yahoo.com or catch him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/davrik2000.