Ashley Barlow Bald for Bucks Campaign
Donation protected
On January 29, 2019, one of my students, Ashley Barlow, tragically passed away in a house fire that also consumed the lives of her boyfriend, Dakota Cook, and his sister. Ashley--a two-time cancer survivor--was a student of mine at Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee. Ashley and Dakota had a daughter, Madalyn Marie Cook, who was not at home the evening of the fire and therefore survived. Sadly, she will grow up without the love and support of her mother and father. I am raising funds for Madalyn because I do not wish for future poverty to compound her suffering. To help raise funds, I have offered to "go bald for bucks" to help pay the many daily bills that Madalyn will incur for years to come.
Ashley was an excellent student who asked incisive questions while always being respectful of others' views and beliefs. Even as a freshman at Bethel, she embodied many of the qualities that we as a school value in our "Wildcats": kindness, compassion, hard-work, and charity. Ashley always came to class with lots to say about the readings and was never afraid to challenge a classmate **or me** on any topic covered in the day's discussion. Ashley's unflappable courage in the face of cancer resulted in a local newspaper writing an interest piece on her. You can read that article here:
https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/05/03/west-carroll-softball-ashley-barlow-cancer-teen-pregnancy-mom-tssaa-jackson-high-school-st-jude/569060002/
As the story explains, Ashley had a child at a young age while in high school. She was so young, in fact, that, for a few brief moments, giving Madalyn up for adoption seemed like a real possibility. Ashley decided to keep Madalyn because, as she told her mother, Brenda, she wanted her mom to have a piece of her just in case she should lose her battle with cancer. Ashley beat cancer but unfortunately was taken another tragic way.
I am hoping to raise **at least** $2,000 to help Madalyn and the rest of her family transition into their new lives together. I have promised to "go bald" if I manage to raise the minimum amount I have imagined and hope to raise significantly more. I have told my students that I would add tiers to the fundraiser to excite greater interest in this cause.
If, for instance, I raise $5,000, I will put a temporary tattoo of my students' choice on my head and teach with it on for a week. It obviously has to be university appropriate.
If I raise $10,000, I will shave one eye brow and will teach with a tattooed bald head, one eyebrow, and a beard for a week.
If I raise $15,000, I will shave half my beard and will teach with a tattooed bald head, one eye brow, and half my beard for a week.
I will add more tiers in the event that we cross that threshold.
This account will accept donations until my birthday, March 14, 2019, or until closed by Go Fund Me. I hope--hope?--to celebrate my birthday by going bald for this cause. The money will go directly to Madalyn's legal guardians, who may establish a savings account in her name or use the money to meet her current and future needs. I will never see or touch a dime of this money.
If you ever wanted to see one of your professors do something absolutely hilarious and ridiculous--or if you just want to help a little girl in great need--please consider donating today. Every penny counts and every dollar helps.
In a parable, Jesus told his followers that God wants us to take care of those most in need: "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." I implore you to help Madalyn in her time of great need. Thank you for your time and support.
Sincerely,
Christopher M. Stampone
Assistant Professor of English
Bethel University
Ashley was an excellent student who asked incisive questions while always being respectful of others' views and beliefs. Even as a freshman at Bethel, she embodied many of the qualities that we as a school value in our "Wildcats": kindness, compassion, hard-work, and charity. Ashley always came to class with lots to say about the readings and was never afraid to challenge a classmate **or me** on any topic covered in the day's discussion. Ashley's unflappable courage in the face of cancer resulted in a local newspaper writing an interest piece on her. You can read that article here:
https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/05/03/west-carroll-softball-ashley-barlow-cancer-teen-pregnancy-mom-tssaa-jackson-high-school-st-jude/569060002/
As the story explains, Ashley had a child at a young age while in high school. She was so young, in fact, that, for a few brief moments, giving Madalyn up for adoption seemed like a real possibility. Ashley decided to keep Madalyn because, as she told her mother, Brenda, she wanted her mom to have a piece of her just in case she should lose her battle with cancer. Ashley beat cancer but unfortunately was taken another tragic way.
I am hoping to raise **at least** $2,000 to help Madalyn and the rest of her family transition into their new lives together. I have promised to "go bald" if I manage to raise the minimum amount I have imagined and hope to raise significantly more. I have told my students that I would add tiers to the fundraiser to excite greater interest in this cause.
If, for instance, I raise $5,000, I will put a temporary tattoo of my students' choice on my head and teach with it on for a week. It obviously has to be university appropriate.
If I raise $10,000, I will shave one eye brow and will teach with a tattooed bald head, one eyebrow, and a beard for a week.
If I raise $15,000, I will shave half my beard and will teach with a tattooed bald head, one eye brow, and half my beard for a week.
I will add more tiers in the event that we cross that threshold.
This account will accept donations until my birthday, March 14, 2019, or until closed by Go Fund Me. I hope--hope?--to celebrate my birthday by going bald for this cause. The money will go directly to Madalyn's legal guardians, who may establish a savings account in her name or use the money to meet her current and future needs. I will never see or touch a dime of this money.
If you ever wanted to see one of your professors do something absolutely hilarious and ridiculous--or if you just want to help a little girl in great need--please consider donating today. Every penny counts and every dollar helps.
In a parable, Jesus told his followers that God wants us to take care of those most in need: "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." I implore you to help Madalyn in her time of great need. Thank you for your time and support.
Sincerely,
Christopher M. Stampone
Assistant Professor of English
Bethel University
Organizer and beneficiary
Christopher Stampone
Organizer
Gleason, TN
Brenda Barlow
Beneficiary