Meredith’s Miracles recognized graduating seniors Monday who collectively volunteered more than 3,000 hours for the non-profit organization during a ceremony at Andalusia City Hall. The event precedes an open house later this week celebrating the remodeling of its thrift store with hours on Thursday through Saturday and a ribbon cutting on Friday.
Students may volunteer with Meredith’s Miracles beginning in the eighth grade and continuing through their senior year. Each year students who volunteer at any of the organization’s events receive an award certificate during their school’s awards program. Those students who accumulate over 100 hours through their senior year receive the “Miracle Maker Medal.”
Students earn hours by volunteering for events, such as Cookies with Characters, Cocoa with Characters, Characters in the Candyland Show, Meredith’s Miracles Valentine’s Day Store, Meredith’s Miracles Fish Fry, and at the Meredith’s Miracles Thrift Store.
“We are so proud of these students. This is the largest number of students we have had to earn their medals in a graduating class,” said Kiley Spears, executive director for Meredith’s Miracles.
This year’s recipients of the Miracle Maker Medal include students from Andalusia High School, Opp High School, Straughn High School, Pleasant Home School, Red Level School, Elba High School, and McKenzie High School. Students and the number of hours they accumulated are as follows:
- Andalusia : Alyssa Bozeman, 109 volunteer hours; Anna Martin, 125; Ava Tomberlin, 284; Cindy Williams, 102; Emmy Mixson, 293; Gracie Grissom, 100; Ivy Rogers, 109; John Logan Long, 109; Madison Webb, 100; Nataleigh Brown, 345; Nyla Crittenden, 113; Samantha Lawson, 116; Madyson Mullen, 100.
- Red Level : Nathan Rooker, 183; Makayla Crawford, 100.
- Pleasant Home : Sara Catherine Sansom, 101; Briley Douglas, 229.
- Straughn : Robin Corero, 100.
- Opp : Liz Ann Jackson, 182; Tate Williams, 120.
- McKenzie : Jayden McMillian, 101.
- Elba : Chloe Blaylock, 106.
Andalusia High School’s Nataleigh Brown received special recognition as setting the all-time record in volunteer hours with Meredith’s Miracles, earning a total of 345. The previous record was 343 held by AHS 2021 alumnus Rosemary Bass.
Beginning on Thursday and continuing through Saturday, the Meredith’s Miracles Thrift Store will be open special hours in celebration of a makeover to the facility, located at 408 S. Three Notch St. On Thursday, the store will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and on Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event coincides with the 26th birthday of the organization’s namesake, Meredith McGlamory, who passed away at the age of 5 in September 2003 after a battle with cancer. All goods inside the store will be 26 percent off.
“We have a more modern look with a rearranged interior and black paint for the exterior,” said Meredith’s Miracles Thrift Store Co-manager Ashley Cross. “We hope people will notice us more with this new look.”
The theme for the event is Christmas, due to the abundance of holiday items available.
“We will have plenty of Christmas and other retail items available,” Meredith’s Miracles Retail Donation Program Manager Aylish Parker said. “Meredith brought joy to all those around her and we felt this would be a perfect way to honor her. We look forward to seeing everyone come and celebrate her 26th birthday with us while checking out our new store’s new look.”
An official ribbon cutting with the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce for the remodeled store will be Friday at 11 a.m.
Since its founding in 2005, Meredith’s Miracles has raised over $1.3 million for children to travel for medical trips.
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