Parties may spread ‘sunshine’

Published 11:59 pm Monday, October 19, 2009

Meredith’s Miracles hopes its plan to rent out a local historic landmark for parties and other events will help add a ray of “sunshine” to families dealing with the high costs of medical treatment.

Recently, the local non-profit organization entered into an agreement to rent out the Sunshine House, which is located on Stanley Avenue and owned by the Covington Historical Society. Under the agreement, Meredith’s Miracles will rent out the facility for small family reunions, receptions and other events.

“There are a few places in Andalusia to hold events, but I’m not sure many have the charm of this house,” said June Simpson, founder-director of Meredith’s Miracles. “We believe there’s a lot of potential here.”

Simpson said the facility offers space for 75 guests currently, and will have room for 100 or more in the near future.

“We’ve done a lot of work to fix it up,” she said. “We went in and did some repainting. There was a fireplace that was boarded up, and we opened it back up and added some slate around the fireplace. It’s just a beautiful building and a wonderful setting. We hope it’s successful.”

Patrons can reserve the house for a flat daily rate. For more information, or to schedule an event, call Curtis Simpson at 222-3265 or 427-9907.

All proceeds will go to Meredith’s Miracles, a non-profit organization named in honor of Meredith McGlamory, who passed away from a form of childhood cancer in 2003. Meredith is Simpson’s granddaughter and the daughter of Janna and Russell McGlamory.

The charity assists parents who have to leave the area to get specialty medical care for their children. Meredith’s Miracles helps with non-medical related expenses, such as gas, lodging and food, for families within a 60-mile radius of Andalusia.

Tonight, those who attend the Covington Arts Council’s presentation of “Celtic Crossroads” can attend a special post-performance dessert at the Sunshine House. The CAC and Meredith’s Miracles are sponsoring the event, and coffee or tea will be available along with a choice of desserts. The reception is free, but donations to Meredith’s Miracles are greatly appreciated.

There is limited seating at the Sunshine House, so those who wish to attend the dessert must reserve a spot by calling Harold’s Discount Furniture at 222-3265. Dessert tickets can then be picked up at the door of the Dixon Center on the night of the performance.