Dedication of ANGEL OF HOPE Monument At Westgate Park

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
Date: Nov 20 2016 7:28 PM

DOTHAN: This afternoon a multitude of people came together at Westgate Park for the dedication of the ANGEL OF HOPE which has been erected at Westgate Park.

When you drive in the main entrance off Westgate Parkway. At the stop sign turn right and just behind the library in front of Miracle Field sits the ANGEL OF HOPE.

When Cody Hayes was diagnosed with cancer Dothan Businessman Steve Hardwick watched Cody on Facebook. He was impressed with Cody. While battling for his life Cody was ministering to the others in Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.

Steve has baked pound cakes and delivered to people over the years as a gesture of making them feel better.

Steve mentioned to his daughter about their buying a blender and baking some pound cakes, selling them and raising about $ 500 to help Cody and his parents. She was in.

Steve and Mary Hannah raised the $ 500, but also $ 7,000.00 more for Cody and his family. While Cody lost his earthly battle with cancer he entered the Gates of Heaven. But he also made a impact on lives through his attitude during his battle with cancer. And that impact continues on today.

From that point Steve Hardwick, his three children, and others have embarked on other cooking and delivering pound cakes to help others. Helping those who have bneen struck with disease. Many that Steve have helped he has never met until time to give them the money.

And 100% of the prices paid for the pound cakes went to those Steve and others helped. Steve paid for the cooking ingredients himself.

Steve then got the vision of a monument, not in a cemetery, but in a place where people could visit and reflect on loved ones, especially children, who had their lives cut short. And that is where the Angel of Hope idea embarked.

Steve expressed, all present to include myself, that Dothan Alabama has the BEST Mayor of any community in Mike Schmitz. Steve called Mayor Schmitz and in 10 minutes he got a return call. The Mayor was in London. Steve told him the idea and the Mayor said Dothan was in.

And they were. Several places were looked for and when they found this place at Westgare Park. It was unanimous, this was the place. It was in front of the the place Melinda McClendon kicked off Miracle Field. Both were projects for young people.

The fund raising started. Steve was eating and saw Ricky Saliba. At the lunch Ricky Saliba told Steve that he wanted to help with the Angel of Hope. Steve left the restaurant and in 10 minutes Saliba called and said, I am serious and these are my ideas.

Ricky and Jane Saliba had a grandchild die shortly after birth.

A lot of people were involved. The City of Dothan was a major part. And Mayor Mike Schmitz, again, people you do not know 1/3 of what this man does for the community.

A lot of families came together today and shared in the dedication. The Pastor of First Baptist Church, Dr. Johnny Faine led the prayer of dedication. The FRIENDS Choir sang.

Steve said the other day he was in the parking lot at his vehicle. A young person, about 18, on a bicycle rode around the Angel of Hope. He walked up to it and looked at it. Steve took some pictures thinking, OK, what is he up to.

In a few minutes the young man laid his hands down on the granite decking under the monument as if he was praying. When he raised his head, he brought his hand to his mouth, kissed his hand and reached up touching the Angel of Hope.

Steve, almost in tears, realized this was a God Sent message, All is Well. This is a good thing.

The Angel of Hope is a place to reflect.

THANKS to all who helped, contributed, prayed, and worked to make this a reality.

THANKS to Steve Hardwick for leading the way to a calling that GOD placed on his heart. As a result many lives have been touched.