An impressive response to a New Year’s Day fundraiser for a former Vicksburg Community Schools teacher confirmed there is, indeed, plenty of love for Laura.
Organized by Michelle Smith, “Love for Laura” was hailed a success. Its recipient, Laura Wilson, will be better able to manage medical expenses after the New Year’s Day 5k run/walk generated “a very generous amount of money,” organizers said.
To the backdrop of an energy-pumping disc jockey, more than 100 people showed up at the Vicksburg Historical Park pavilion to honor the 45-year-old Wilson before hitting the nearby Vicksburg Trail.
Wilson’s sister, Erin Dey, also played a big role in helping arrange the event. A donation of $30 per person was recommended, though many participants were happy to pitch in more than that amount.
An emotional Wilson, undergoing follow-up radiation as she recovers from surgery for breast cancer, said the response was beyond touching.
“Through this whole journey, it seems like everyone wants to know what they can do to help … everyone seems to want to help in some way and it’s hard for me to allow people to do that,” Wilson said. “It took some convincing for me to let Michelle and Erin put this together, but I was at a point where I just put my pride aside and told them to do whatever they want.”
The turnout was as much an opportunity to aid Wilson and her family as it was a chance for participants to remind the Vicksburg resident how much she has impacted their lives. Not only did dozens of Wilson’s Vicksburg friends show up, but so did many of her peers and students from Centreville Public Schools, where Wilson teaches seventh-grade English language arts at Centreville Junior High.
A group of about a dozen Centreville students – comprised mostly of the school’s cross-country team – made the effort to get up early during their Christmas break and make the 17-mile early-morning trip to a frigid Vicksburg.
“The Centreville students being here means a whole lot to me,” she said. “They came out to show support, drove up here on this incredibly cold morning to get in their first 5K of the year in support for me and that was just so touching. They’re a really special group of kids whose kindness and support I will never forget.”
Wilson spent 19 years with Vicksburg Community Schools and has been with Centreville for five years.
Smith, meanwhile, said as soon as she found out about Wilson’s diagnosis, there was no question she would organize an event to help her longtime friend.
“I know there are so many people out there who want to help but they just don’t have an avenue to do that, so this provides that avenue to show the support and love that Laura deserves,” Smith said. “It took some convincing and finally (Erin) just said to her sister, ‘If Michelle wants to do it, just let her do it.’”
It took about three weeks to pull together the fundraiser.
Smith said she and Wilson met more than 11 years ago when their sons played baseball together in Vicksburg. Smith called Wilson “energetic” and “a shining star. Those who know Wilson – whether as a friend, co-worker or student – agreed Wilson’s upbeat and positive demeanor make her someone you’d go out of your way to help,” Smith added.
“Laura would be the first person at an event like this if it was for someone else, so I’m thrilled we can do something for her,” Smith said.
Wilson said the kindness and messages of support were not lost on her.
“The love and support through this whole journey have been incredible and shown in so many touching ways,” Wilson said. “From cards sent in the mail and meals delivered to my home, to people reaching out to my family and checking in on them has been amazing. I’m counting my blessings today.”
