(Atlantic) Following the loss of her child, an Atlantic woman vowed to help others going through the same devasting loss.
Christina and Joe Bateman lost their daughter Faith an hour and a half after birth. Christina knew she wanted to help other children in Faith’s memory but wasn’t sure exactly how. That all changed one day during a visit to Faith’s grave. “I was at the cemetery visiting Faith’s grave when I saw another baby’s grave who had passed six or seven years ago,” said Christina. “The grave still had the temporary grave marker, and it was like God gave a sign that this is what I was supposed to do.”
So, Christina started the non-profit organization Faith’s Friends Services in 2017, with a mission is to help relieve financial burdens for families residing in Iowa or Nebraska who have lost a child 18-years of age or younger. The non-profit pays for up to $1,000 for funeral expenses, $1,000 for burial expenses, and $2,000 for a headstone (assuming funds are available).
Bateman says to date, Faith’s Friend’s Services has provided over $97,000 in financial assistance to 39-children. Their children were 18 years old or younger at their passing. “I remember asking my attorney when filing the paperwork, do you think people will donate to this?” Said Bateman. “She said yes, it’s a good cause. We went for it and started it with some of our own money, and everyone has been “super” supportive.”
The primary fundraiser for this event is a “Celebrity Waiter Dinner.” On Saturday, the annual event served over 200 attendees at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club, with contributions totaling $30,835.50, netting around $27,500 after expenses. Bateman, this year’s dinner brought in $5,500.00 more than one year ago. “This is amazing; the community has supported us from the very beginning.”
Christina Bateman says the check goes directly to the funeral homes, cemeteries, and monument companies.
For questions or more information, call 712-249-5228 or email faithsfriends@outlook.com.
