Abby Haake received a call in December from her husband, who was deployed in Iraq. He wanted to know what she wanted for Christmas.
Haake told him she wanted to do something for someone else. She didn t need more stuff. So the family donated $200 to a RIP Medical Debt campaign focused on eliminating financial hardships of Tennessee residents. Madison Street United Methodist Church partnered with the New York-based nonprofit to pay off the financial hardships of Middle Tennessee residents.
The results?
The congregation, with support from community supporters, exceeded its fundraising goal, clearing $2.1 million of debt for nearly 2,400 Tennessee residents, as well as $394,000 for 273 people in Mississippi. The number includes eight people in Montgomery County; their medical debts totaled $7,495.73.