CULLMAN, Ala. – The Link hosted its annual fundraising gala last week. The “Signs and Wonders” Gala, took place Nov. 5, at Cotton Creek.
Executive Director Melissa Betts said attendance was up from last year, with 408 attendees compared to 364 in 2025.
“My favorite moment last night was truly seeing those light bulb moments happen for some of my new staff people who have just begun to connect with us and partner with us,” Betts told The Tribune the next day. “You see, it’s hard to understand sometimes just with words exactly what we do with The Link, but when someone catches the vision and when they can see it and how it fits into that story they never turn away. From that you have someone who is connected for life because they want to serve others and love their neighbor.
“It’s what we’re called to do as Christians, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and when people see a way that they can do that that feels genuine to them. Why would they not want to come alongside you and serve? That’s my favorite part of this event because people find the way that they fit into the story and we see it time and time again with new people connecting with the mission of loving their neighbor.”
Betts was also honored and surprised with The Link’s Visionary Partnership Volunteer Award.
“I was completely shocked and so humbled that my staff and board would want to recognize my leadership and vision,” she said. “I knew going into this role at The Link that vision is what it would take in order for The Link to thrive in this community, and I truly believe that vision comes from the Lord. If you seek him for it, he will share it, and as a leader it’s our job to seek him.
“You know, the Bible tells us that without vision, people perish and there’s no doubt in my mind that if I didn’t have that God-given vision for leadership in this role that the services and programs that we do provide would not be as life-giving as they are because I’ve seen despair turned into hope. We have some big things on the horizon that I cannot wait to share about things that are going to better serve families in Cullman County for generations to come.”
The Signs and Wonders Gala served as the kick-off event for The Link’s end-of-year giving campaign. The goal was $100,000 for a jump-start for some new things coming in 2027.
“It’s not too late for people to give toward the campaign over the next several weeks, and there are numerous ways that people can give,” Betts said. “To donate you can go through our website, or by check at our office.”
She said there are new ways to give this year, including donor-advised funds of stock and legacy plan giving.
“We also are working on the food rescue which is any food The Link doesn’t have to purchase. We rely on about 60,000 pounds right now a month of food rescue that comes in from many different sources in order to sustain our ability to serve over 1,000 families a month in the pantry. We currently have a $2,500 a month budget to purchase food and we would like to double that next year because when you’re serving over 1,000 families a month that’s less than $2.50 per family that you have to purchase. So that makes food rescue really important.
“We’ve been blessed for the last year and now going into 2027 to have a Miracles Connection member on our staff and their job is food rescue, partnering with local grocery stores, conducting food drives and finding farmers who supplied us with produce and protein. Feed America states that the typical food rescue donation equals about $1.90 per pound of food. So for example, last night in our ‘Canstruction Wall’ there were 1,073 cans that were donated by Bush Beans. That donation will be counted as food rescue because we didn’t pay for those beans. That equals a $2,038.70 donation, and next month, every family will have the choice of beans.
“We have a local farmer who donates beef on a regular basis. Last year he donated a quarter cow, each quarter. His beef sells at places like Whole Foods. That is a $5,000 donation at wholesale value. We are rescuing over $1.4 million in food this year. We are not providing people with moldy bread or items that are about to expire – families have the opportunity to shop for groceries just like you and I do. In order to sustain this type of buying and rescue power for the future, The Supper Club must grow this year.”
A special guest at the Signs and Wonders Gala was former Alabama First Lady Marsha Folsom.
Said Betts, “She helped champion the vision for Family Resource Centers across Alabama more than 30 years ago, and now Cullman is home to Alabama’s 28th accredited Family Resource Center. That designation represents so much more than a certificate. It’s a commitment to connecting families with the relationships, resources and opportunities they need to move from crisis to stability, strengthening and opportunity. To celebrate that milestone with someone who helped establish this vision was truly a full-circle moment.”
Find out more about The Link at www.linkingcullman.org.
Awards given at the gala included:
- Mission Partner Award: St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church
- Young Professional of the Year: Joshua Lawler and Shelby Creekmore
- Community Partner Award: Cullman County DHR
- Volunteer of the Year: Mim Belcher
- Legacy Impact Award: Maddie Shugarts
- Visionary Leadership Award: Melissa Betts
