Want to ‘give’ a little this holiday season to a great cause here in Metro Atlanta?
The Story
Hope was working as a mental health therapist when she started dating Steve December, an engineer recruiter, after connecting through mutual friends. The two dated for just six months before Steve, only 28, was diagnosed with ALS, a terminal and progressive neurodegenerative disease (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). ALS affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and has no treatments or cure. ALS progressively robs those affected by causing muscle weakness, paralysis and, ultimately, respiratory failure. The average lifespan after diagnosis is two to five years, according to ALS.net.
Two days after receiving this devastating blow, Steve proposed to Hope. He told her, “I know this is going to be hard and you don’t have to stay. But if you do, I want you to be my wife.” Without hesitation Hope accepted and the two were married two months later.
Wasting no time, Steve and Hope honeymooned, went on a cross-country road trip and crossed other things off of their bucket list. In the midst of everything going on, they wanted to share their experiences in hopes that Steve’s journey could possibly change the course of the future of the disease.
A 5-minute ALS-awareness video was planned, but it turned into a full-fledged documentary thanks to support of the towns of Alpharetta, John’s Creek, Duluth, Norcross, Roswell and many more. The documentary was funded through Kickstarter, raising $35,000 in 15 days.
Also, the town of Norcross has been working for months on an initiative called Santa’s Workshop, which is a decorator’s showcase and market filled with intricate decor and special holiday gifts, hand-crafted by local artisans.
Santa’s Workshop is opening its doors to Hope for Steve this Sunday, December 7th, where 100% of ticket proceeds will benefit Hope for Steve and ALS TDI.
Get out and do some shopping for a great cause.
If you can’t make it this weekend…
Hope for Steve’s will have FYI Santa’s Workshop will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through December 21st, with proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity.
WHERE:
The Rectory
17 College Street
Norcross, GA 30071
ADMISSION:
$10 adults/$5 children
(100% ticket sales benefit Hope for Steve and ALS TDI)
REGULAR HOURS UNTIL DECEMBER 21ST:
Fridays from 11:00am-8:00pm
Saturdays from 11:00am-8:00pm
Sundays from 1:00pm-6:00pm
The documentary follows Hope and Steve from 1/2012 to 4/2014, and shows the highs and lows, from Steve dancing at his wedding to shortly after, when he is mobilized in a wheelchair. Aside from the couple’s mission to raise awareness and help find a cure or treatment, the documentary shows this couple’s love for each other and how it quickly overshadowed the disease.
More information at www.hopeforsteve.com.
