As many of you know, my full time job is running Hammer Down Gun & Pawn. However, I have a side job as an Investigative Reporter for the Quad Cities Daily. Sometimes these jobs cross paths and this event is one of the times they did for a good cause. The event was the Give-A-Thon for Peggy McCollum. The event took place on July 16, 2017. If you weren’t there, you missed a great event.
About three months ago, a friend of mine, Sam Landrum, called me and asked if I would help the Rally at the River event on a transfer of two guns that had been donated. I told him that I would. He said that Peggy McCollum would be in touch with me. She called me shortly thereafter and we worked out the details.
Peggy came into Hammer Down one morning to bring me the guns. We realized that we had been previous neighbors. Peggy began to tell me about Rally at the River and the benefits that were given to St. Judes because of the event. Right then, I realized the Peggy was a special person.
She had a special fire and determination in the way she spoke. She truly believed in the cause. I believed in her fire and determination so much, that Hammer Down became a sponsor for the event. Not because she asked us to, but I asked her if we could. I believed in her that much.
Looking back over an article that I wrote for the Quad Cities Daily about the Rally at the River, I had wrote the following:
Rally at the River is held each year to help raise funds for the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I spoke with the Rally at the River Coordinator Peggy McCollum about the event. Peggy told me that the Southern Cruisers use to host the event but no longer did. So, Rally at the River was taken over by a group of volunteers who donate their time to get this event ready. She further stated that it takes about a year to plan the event.
As stated above, this is the 15th year for Rally at the River. Peggy told me that the Bands that will be playing are donating their time also to help raise money for the event. To date, Rally at the River has raised $184,000 for the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Rally at the River was a huge success. Shortly thereafter, I found out that Peggy was battling cancer. I felt so bad for my new friend. From talking with people that knew Peggy, I was told that she didn’t talk about it, kept it to herself and was determined to fight it. Soon an event to help support Peggy during her battle was developed.
A Facebook page was developed with the following message:
Give-A-Thon for Peggy McCollum
Every single person who knows Peggy, not only thinks the absolute world of her, but will immediately go right into a story about what amazing things Peggy has done for them, for one of their relatives or for someone they know. It’s just who Peggy is… She gives and gives with her whole heart and then some! I’m sure you know that Peggy is Battling Cancer… Again. Metastatic Lymphoma Breast Cancer to be specific. It’s a horrific, long, painful, expensive fight and we are honored and privileged to be able to be here for Peggy!
Dollars raised at Peggy’s Give-A-Thon will go directly to Peggy and will go a very long way in helping Peggy and her family pay for the cost of her treatment. We have a goal of raising $3,750.00 for Peggy which is the cost of one course of her treatment – about 5 sessions. But equally important, Peggy’s Give-A-Thon is about GIVING to Peggy those things that money just can’t buy… our love, our support, our encouragement, our prayers, our well wishes, our kind words, our strength and giving to Peggy a little bit of ourselves as she has done for countless others.
Please join us on Sunday, July 16th at 5:00 at the Cantina at The Fiesta Mexicana on Florence Blvd, behind the Bowling Alley, for an evening of fun, fellowship, great food, fantastic music, memory making and love sharing! Dinner, Fajita’s Buffet, is only $10.00 per ticket (Children under 5 are free) not including Drink Purchases. We’ll have a Silent Auction, 50/50 Raffle, A Giving Table (where you’ll have the opportunity to write Peggy a personal message for her to take and keep and read when she needs it the most), Music by Johnny Collier & The Misbehaviators, Pictures by Quad Cities Daily and Dallas Dorrall and the opportunity to help us raise money to help Peggy!!
Dallas Dorrall came by Hammer Down to leave a flyer for the event. I had talked to Dallas previously during the Rally at the River event, on the phone. She explained that purpose of the Give-A-Thon. Again, we asked to help sponsor the events, because we believed in Peggy.
I am here to tell you if you did not come to the Give-A-Thon, you missed a great event. There was a huge crowd. The crowd was a lot more than expected. The Quad Cities Daily asked if I would cover the event. I was honored to do it. Steve Hauck, Heidi Hauck and Lisa joined me as we attended the event. A good time was had by all. There was good food, fellowship and music.
Ok, on a side note. Johnny Collier and his band were the musical entertainers for the event. I met Johnny the day that Dallas came into the store. I was not aware of his music. However, after seeing and hearing him perform, I have to tell you, that boy is very talented. I really enjoyed the music. If you get a chance to take in one of Johnny’s shows, please do. I think you will enjoy it.
Back to the Give-A-Thon, Peggy came to each table and spoke to everyone thanking them for coming and for their support. I ended up taking over 500 pictures. Below is just a sampling of them. The goal for the event was to raise $3,750.00 to pay for Peggy’s treatments. I am glad to say that $4,700.00 was raised.
In conclusion, Peggy, on behalf of the Quad Cities Daily and Hammer Down, we were glad and honored to sponsor and cover this great event. Keep fighting, girl.
Bobby Inman is retired from Law Enforcement after 21 years of Service. He owns Hammer Down Gun & Pawn located in Sheffield, Alabama. He has articles published in Law & Order Magazine, Police Marksman Magazine, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement Magazine as well as several published ebooks on Amazon, Kobo Writing, as well as Nook (Barnes & Noble). He is owner of Poopiedog, an Animal Rescue Dachshund, who is his constant companion. He is a Correspondent for the Quad Cities Daily.
