CovingtonCares Magazine - Spring/Summer 2024

LIST OF FUNDRAISERS Here are the Swamp Donkeys’ main fundraising events this year: • August: Peanut Festival Queen Pageant • October: 8th Annual Peanut Festival Run for a Cure 5K and Kids Fun Run, Mitchell Farms, 650 Leaf River Church Road, Collins, Mississippi • November: Pictures with Santa, The Copper Penny Boutique, 114 Main Street, Collins To learn more, contact Dory Craft at 601.668.4642 or dorymims@yahoo.com. LEARNMORE 2024 Spring/Summer 10 “The community is amazing,” said Easterling. “Every business we ask, I would say 99% of the time they give.” The Peanut Festival takes place the first weekend of October at Mitchell Farms, an agritourism destination east of Collins. The Swamp Donkeys kick off the festival that Saturday with their 5K/Fun Run. They bring along some volunteer help. “The husbands do the heavy lifting, and the kids do the water stations,” Easterling said. “It’s a family affair.” What’s the Word? Recently, one of the Swamp Donkeys texted this to the group: “What is one word that describes why you do this?” She stitched together the responses to create a mission statement of sorts: “a group of stout-hearted ladies who love to teach, inspire, and encourage others with humility about childhood cancer with a purpose to honor those currently fighting by being a light of hope until there is a cure.” Whether they’re raising money to fight childhood diseases or simply bonding during their informal morning runs, said Easterling, “There’s no better friend than a Swamp Donkey. I can promise you that.”