WESTSIDE -- It's a long way from being afraid of flying to volunteering to raise funds by jumping out of a plane, but a young lady from the area has made that leap and it's all for a good cause.
Ashley Wolfgang, of Sulphur Springs, has committed to raising $1,000 for the Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County. She has signed up for the SkyDive for Kids to be held in August at Sky Ranch in Siloam Springs.
The Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County, in Little Flock, opened in January of 2000 to provide a safe place for physically and sexually abused children. It is available to serve all Benton County child abuse victims under age 18. Interviews, medical exams and counseling are provided in a non-threatening environment and referrals are made for families which need follow-up care. All services are provided free of charge.
Ashley became interested in helping raise funds for CAC after hearing a song on KLRC radio. The song, "I Created You," presented the idea that we were put on the earth for a purpose. Knowing of the needs of children served by CAC, she said to herself, "Why not do something?"
Ashley and Brody, her husband, live in rural Sulphur Springs. They both grew up in Gravette, where he graduated from Gravette High School in 2004 and she, in 2006. Their daughter, Mia, just graduated from kindergarten. Their son Beau will be starting preschool in August.
Wolfgang has never done any skydiving and she admits she was once terrified of flying. She overcame that feeling somewhat in December, 2010, when her son developed viral meningitis at only 2 months of age and was life flighted to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock for a few days' stay. She was faced with the choice of riding with him on the flight or making the trip by car and arriving several hours later. She swallowed her fears and went along for the ride.
As a parent herself, Ashley was quite distressed when she learned about the abuses suffered by many of the children at CAC. She feels it's terrible that there's a need to have such a place, but it's a godsend for those who need its services.
"No little child should have to go through such things. If me jumping out of a plane and facing my fears will help one child face his fears of speaking up, it will be worth it," she said.
The Wolfgangs certainly are no strangers to helping others. Brody works for Freedom Fire Pro of Avoca, installing fire safety sprinklers, and Ashley has been delivering Meals on Wheels for the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center since August of 2014. She delivers 60 to 65 meals a day on her 40 mile route in Sulphur Springs, Gravette and Decatur.
Ashley is scheduled to make her jump at Sky Ranch at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 8. She started raising money about a month ago and is nearing her $1,000 pledge goal. She is still soliciting donations and hopes to far exceed that goal and contribute even more to the overall goal of $47,000. She is very grateful for all the contributions she has received so far and wanted to thank all the people who have supported her and donated to this cause.
Names of each jumper who raises more than $1,000 will go into a drawing for prizes. Each jumper will receive a personalized SkyDive T-shirt and be treated to lunch after the jump; but the real reward, of course, is knowing she is making a difference in the lives of the abused children at CAC and helping provide them a supportive environment.
Persons who wish to donate to assist Ashley in reaching her goal and help the children at CAC should contact her at [email protected]. See www.cacbentonco.com for more information about the importance of therapy to break the cycle of child abuse. Go to www.skyranch.com to learn more about SkyDive for Kids.
General News on 06/10/2015