The Morgan community has shown what it means to be “One Morgan,” jumping into action to help one another following the tragic ATV accident last Monday that killed 12-year-olds Bennett Rabern and Avett Jackson but also injured 12-year-old Bryson Hammond.
After being posted on Tuesday, meal trains for all three families were fully booked. Many community members also donated items to a fundraiser created by Alix Ellis to help the families.
Area businesses are jumping in to help, too.
Candi Ross, owner of the online jewelry business SeaStackables, is selling bracelets in Morgan County colors. All proceeds will go to the families.
Haley Ford, owner of Dust Be Gone Cleaning, has offered to clean all three families’ homes.
Downtown Madison businesses Southern Charm Bridal and Gussie’s House of Flowers are selling bows in Morgan County colors at the flower shop, inviting the community to “paint the town red and black” in Bennett’s and Avett’s memory. Forty bows have been donated to the families, school system, local churches, recreation department, and others who knew the boys.
Since the accident, several area churches have also held community prayer times, including a standing-room-only vigil at Morgan County High School’s gym Sunday led by Pastor Danny Harrell of Covenant Park Church and Pastor Matthew Mitchell of Madison Methodist Church.
The vigil included music, a prayer over the families at center court, and time with other local pastors.
During the vigil, Harrell and Mitchell commented on the “One Morgan” spirit.
“[Morgan County] is so special. I mean, look around this room for a second,” Mitchell told the crowd. “This doesn’t happen everywhere, and we should never take this evening for granted. Morgan County is a county that cares. It’s remarkable. Our community is hurting, and we’re all impacted by this because we love our babies. Your babies are my babies; my babies are your babies. When any of our babies are hurt, we hurt, and this doesn’t happen everywhere.”
“You know, we can walk in Ingles and see people we know … we look around this gym tonight, and we don’t just know about each other, but we know each other,” Harrell added. “We build mission trips together, we go to church together [and] funerals together, we teach each other’s kids. There is this oneness here.”
The pastors urged the community to continue embracing the “One Morgan” spirit by forming connections with people, loving each other, and loving God — who also sees them as one.
“I’m praying tonight that our town would experience the presence of God tonight and in the coming weeks, and know and remember that when our God looks at us, he doesn’t see a bunch of different churches or a bunch of different neighborhoods,” Harrell said. “He doesn’t see a bunch of different neighborhoods, but he does see his people, his children, who are called under one name that is Jesus. So tonight, through the questions and the tears, … I invite you guys to take all of those things to the presence of the Lord. Trust in his promises. Believe in what Jesus has done as we lean on each other and lean on the Lord at this time.”
Harrell and Mitchell noted how Bennett and Avett embodied “One Morgan,” leaving behind a legacy as they cared for their teammates, loved their friends, and actively participated in church.
Referencing how Bennett shot his first deer when he was only seven, Mitchell explained how, just like in hunting, the boys never missed the mark in loving their faith and leading their community.
“When I went into Bennett’s room today, I saw where a seven-year-old little boy could do great things and what legacy will come from these two young men that will mark Morgan County for generations to come,” said Mitchell.
“We can be part of the legacy of what began on a terrible Monday afternoon, because God’s not through with us yet,” he continued. “We are ‘One Morgan.’ Let’s never miss the mark, friends. The mark is set pretty high, is it not?”