Lebanon local, 87-year-old Lounita Sampson, has a passion for doing what she can to give back to the community, no matter what season of life she is in. Whether she is sending birthday or anniversary cards, or brightening someone’s day by baking them a cake, she always finds a way to serve and point others to Christ. In 2011, she decided that she would take her efforts and raise money for Sherry’s Hope, a faith-based nonprofit that honors the memory of Sherry Whitaker, a servant-hearted wife and mother who passed from colon cancer at the age of 44. Lounita recalled, “Sherry was a good friend of mine, she used to help me in the kitchen at Maple Hill Church of Christ where we served together. She was so good to my family- I can still picture her coming over, taking off her sandals, and sitting on the floor to talk!” With Sherry’s memory in mind, Lounita has orchestrated many fundraisers for the mission at Sherry’s Hope: to assist families in Wilson County and surrounding communities with expenses caused by cancer.

Over the years, Lounita has used a variety of creative approaches to raise money. From leading countless bake sales to hosting meals at her church, one thing is almost always guaranteed: there will be delicious homemade food involved! Each year, she begins her fundraising efforts by mailing hundreds of letters to friends, family, and members of the community, asking for both prayers and donations in support of Sherry’s Hope. This year marks the 15th and final year of Lounita’s incredible fundraising journey, and with it, she has two heartfelt goals. For the first time, she has set a financial milestone: to raise $50,000 in support of Sherry’s Hope. But just as important is her second goal: to inspire others- maybe even you reading this, to pick up the torch and start a fundraiser of your own. Lounita explained, “I really hope that if people get anything from this, it is that all you have to do is be willing to ask! Sherry’s Hope is a good thing and people know what it is and want to help. You just have to be willing to ask if they will join you in supporting the cause. Sometimes they will tell you no, but that is okay! Just keep praying and ask others to join you in prayer!” Lounita was clear that the only way she has been able to fundraise so successfully for so many years is because of God’s blessings. She rejoiced, “God has his hand in it! If I needed stamps to send my letters to ask people to donate, someone would give them to me. If I was worried about how I was going to pay for all of the ingredients for a bake sale, I would find gift cards in my mailbox. God always worked it out.” Over the years, Lounita has witnessed family, friends, and strangers come together to support her fundraising efforts. She recalled, “It is amazing to see some of the people give who have a hard time themselves, but they still find a way to donate!”

Lounita doesn’t seek the spotlight and only wanted to share her story if the attention would be directed to God’s provision, not her efforts. She hopes others will be encouraged to see that making a difference doesn’t require anything extraordinary, just a willing heart and the courage to ask. Sherry’s Hope is so grateful for the time and effort Lounita has put into fundraising for almost fifteen years. Sherry’s Hope Executive Board Member, Kevin Bass shared, “Mrs. Lounita is such an amazing person.  No one will ever know all the things she has done to help so many families through Sherry’s Hope and other notable causes.  Honestly, I don’t think anyone would believe a person could do everything she does if she took time to tell us everything.  Sherry’s Hope has truly been blessed because of Mrs. Lounita.  She says this is the final year for her fundraising, but I guarantee it will never stop- we just won’t know about it.” It is evident that God has used her life to make a difference in our community. From 2011-2024, Lounita has raised funds that have supported hundreds of families in Wilson County and surrounding communities with expenses caused by cancer. When she was asked what has kept her motivated to continue fundraising, she explained, “I know some people who would have lost their homes if it wasn’t for Sherry’s Hope. I want to help people who cannot help themselves.” Although Lounita has never desired recognition for the work she has done, Romans 13:7 reminds us to give “honor to whom honor is due.” That’s why the 22nd annual Sherry’s Run 5K Run/Walk will be held in honor of Lounita Sampson.

Lounita has always raised funds for Sherry’s Hope through her team at Maple Hill Church of Christ. Some years, her team chooses to honor someone special. This year, they are rallying behind the name Ho Ho Hope for Dave, a tribute to a dear friend of Lounita and a beloved member of Maple Hill. If you’d like to help Lounita reach her fundraising goal, you can give online at www.runsignup.com/lounita! Lounita will also be hosting a bake sale to raise funds on August 30^th at 10AM in the parking lot of Maple Hill Church of Christ in Lebanon (102 Maple Hill Rd). The sale will continue until everything is sold out. You can visit Sherry’s Hope’s social media pages for more details!

To learn more about the Sherry’s Run 5K event, visit www.sherrysrun.org, call 615-925- 2592, or email info@sherryshope.org. To learn more about Sherry’s Hope programs and services, visit www.sherryshope.org, call 615-925-9932, or email help@sherryshope.org. To donate to Sherry’s Hope, visit www.sherryshope.org, or mail donations to Sherry’s Hope, P.O. Box 8, Lebanon, TN 37088-0008.

Sherry’s Hope is a Christian, non-profit organization that works throughout the year to provide hope to families battling cancer in Wilson County and surrounding communities by offering emotional encouragement and financial assistance. In addition, Sherry’s Hope works to spread colon health awareness by distributing free colon cancer screening tests and providing colonoscopy assistance.