Local church to host gospel event, raffle for Fulton native's adoption benefit

Fulton native Cindy Bennett and her husband, Josh. The couple are holding an adoption fundraising event 7 p.m. July 7 at First Baptist Church in Fulton, which will feature gospel music, a pie auction and a raffle.
Fulton native Cindy Bennett and her husband, Josh. The couple are holding an adoption fundraising event 7 p.m. July 7 at First Baptist Church in Fulton, which will feature gospel music, a pie auction and a raffle.

Fulton native Cindy Bennett and her husband, Josh, always knew they wanted to be parents, but since their 2008 marriage, they have been unable to conceive.

"The entire adoption process costs a minimum of about $22,000 to do a domestic adoption," she said. "(Josh) works as an elementary school teacher and I work for the City of Springfield. We're both in public service and aren't rolling in money by any means."

This is where the Bennett's friends stepped in. They will be holding an adoption fundraiser for the Bennett's 7 p.m. July 7 at First Baptist Church in Fulton. The event will feature gospel singing, a pie auction and raffle tickets for various gift cards to places such as Walmart, Barnes and Noble and Applebee's, which will be drawn throughout the month of July. This follows on the heels of a yard sale and bake sale the couple's friends helped facilitate at their current home in Nixa.

"We've obviously been struggling with fertility for a few years now," said Bennett. "We decided and prayed ... and made the official decision to start adoption process. So many friends and family want so badly to help out and participate."

Cindy Bennett grew up in Fulton, attending Richland Baptist Church with her parents, Rick and Glenda Smith, and attending New Bloomfield High School where her mother taught. Rick Smith's involvement with gospel functions at their church has enabled him to orchestrate the singing portion of the fundraiser, which will include local gospel performer Jeremy Polston. Polston will be selling CD's at the event, with a portion of the proceeds also going to the adoption fund.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.