SEOBLOGREEN - Heather Ormand is a woman who keeps her promises. She is the CEO of the Nexus Family Recovery Center in Dallas. That Center helps women. It specifically helps mothers and their families dealing with substance use disorder. It is hard work. It requires a daily fight.
Last year, the fundraising goal was met. Ms. Ormand got a tattoo. A permanent reminder. A big commitment. This year, the stakes were much higher. She upped the ante significantly. She made a vow to the community. A big one.
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The \$100,000 Jump Challenge
The challenge was simple. It was also terrifying. If Nexus Family Recovery Center reached its \$100,000 goal for North Texas Giving Day, Ms. Ormand would skydive. She would jump from a perfectly good airplane. This was not a small thing.
The goal deadline was September 18th. The anticipation was palpable. The donations came in steadily. Each dollar was a vote of confidence. A sign of belief in the Center's mission. The staff watched the counter. The clients watched the counter. They were all rooting for her. They were all rooting for the goal.
The reason behind the challenge was deeply personal. It was tied directly to the work. It was a beautiful piece of human interest storytelling. Ms. Ormand spoke about the symbolism. It was very powerful.
A Powerful Symbol of Recovery
Every day, the Center asks its clients to take a huge step. They must take a massive leap of faith. They are jumping into a new life. A life of recovery. It means leaving behind familiar people. It means leaving behind places and things. These things no longer serve them. It is a terrifying jump into the unknown.
"It is jumping into the unknown, truly," she said. Her skydive mirrored that courage. It was her way of sharing the fear. Her way of sharing the bravery. It was her physical representation of their emotional struggle. She would feel the fear they feel. She would take the jump they take.
The Nexus Family Recovery Center is crucial. It offers holistic programs. It is built on a family-centered model. They remove obstacles to care. They help the most vulnerable. They help mothers who need treatment. They help them keep their children. This is vital work. It changes lives.
The Big Day Arrives
September 18th came and went. The goal was met. The community had responded. The \$100,000 was secured. The funding was crucial. It meant programs could continue. It meant more women could get help.
Now, Ms. Ormand had to pay up. A promise is a promise. She had to take the jump. A date was set for the skydive. The weather held up. She traveled to the dropzone. She met the instructors. She was nervous. Anyone would be.
The preparation was meticulous. Straps were checked. Instructions were given. She put on the jumpsuit. The moment was surreal. This was not a boardroom meeting. This was 10,000 feet up.
The plane climbed steadily. The noise was loud. Ms. Ormand could see Dallas spreading out below. The world looked tiny. She thought of her clients. She thought of the women she serves. The fear was real. But the motivation was stronger.
Falling for a Cause
The door opened. The wind rushed in. It was deafening. The instructor gave the signal. There was no turning back now. Ms. Ormand did not hesitate. She took the plunge. She took the leap.
The initial freefall was a rush. A blur of speed and noise. It was pure terror. It was pure exhilaration. It lasted for what felt like an eternity. Then, the parachute opened. Everything went quiet.
The descent became calm. Serene. She floated down. She could see the world clearly again. The ground came closer. She realized she had done it. She completed the jump. Just like her clients complete their hardest work.
She landed safely. The cheers were loud. Her team was there. They were all smiling. It was more than a successful jump. It was a successful fundraising campaign. It was a massive victory for Nexus.
Ms. Ormand stood up. She dusted herself off. She had faced her fear. She had honored her word. She had embodied the courage she asks of her clients. She showed them what a leap of faith truly looks like. It was a perfect ending. The Center got the money. The CEO got the experience. The community got an unforgettable story.
Source: cbsnews.com
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