Fundraiser For Family Dealing With Tragedy Held In Aiken
There’s a very special fundraiser happening in Aiken, Wednesday night. It’s to raise money for a family who’s new to the area, but they’ve already earned a place in the hearts of many. WJBF News Channel 6’s Joy Howe was in Aiken, and tells us this family’s story has really brought out the best in people there.
There’s a very special fundraiser happening in Aiken, Wednesday night. It’s to raise money for a family who’s new to the area, but they’ve already earned a place in the hearts of many. WJBF News Channel 6’s Joy Howe was in Aiken, and tells us this family’s story has really brought out the best in people there.
Joy Howe
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By Joy Howe
WJBF News Channel 6 Aiken County Reporter
Published: November 12, 2008
Aiken, SC—The Phillips family will always have a special place in the Aiken community’s heart. About a month ago, a tragic accident claimed wife and mother, Paula Phillips’ life.
Fourteen-year-old Jordan wanted to move the car to play basketball in the driveway. His mother stood behind, directing him. Jordan accidentally ran over her. Scott was at work, when he got a call…
Scott Phillips: “The first thing I did was just sit down and tell him, ‘son, things happen, it’s not your fault. It’s not in your control, then I just held him.“
Scott says the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office was incredible, acting quickly to escort the family to get to their older son, Derrick, in Columbia, before the news did. It was people like that, strangers, who helped keep the Phillips family going that day…
People like Rachel Hutto…
She says the story broke her heart, and she and her staff at O’Charley’s restaurant stuck a sympathy card in the Phillips’ front door.
Scott: “That was one of the first places I went, to thank them. I really appreciate that, ya’ll don’t know me at all.“
Rachel Hutto, General Manager, O’Charley’s: “I’ve been there, I lost a parent when I was 13, and all you want is to be treated normally. You don’t want people coming up asking you questions, ‘are you okay?‘ You just want to be treated normally, and get on with your life.“
There have been a lot of changes in the family’s lives…some tough, some inspiring. Jordan, who always wanted to be a mechanical engineer…
Scott: “He told me, ‘I don’t want to do that. I want to do something where I can help people when bad things happen.‘“
They have happy memories of Paula, who loved cherry trees, and had big goals for sons Derrick And Jordan to go to college. This Thanksgiving and Christmas might be difficult for the Phillips family, but they have an entire community at their disposal…and that’s a big gift at the end of a tough year.
Scott: “It kind of restores my hope in humanity, a little bit, that people can just, out of nowhere, ‘hey here’s somebody who needs some help…‘ It’s really overwhelming.“
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Posted by ( Donna ) on November 13, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I am married to Paula’s brother, Keith and we would like to say Thank You to all you wonderful people that have done so many nice things for our family since Paula’s passing. We regret we were unable to attend the fundraiser that was hosted at O’Charley’s, but our heartfelt thanks goes to each and everyone who had a part in it. Your outpouring of love and support are appreciated and mean more to us than words can ever express. A special Thank You to the manager for offering to do this! Paula would have been so overwhelmed by all the kindness. Please continue to remember our family in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks again from the bottom of our hearts!
Keith & Donna Potter
Family of Paula Potter Phillips
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