Chad Leverett qualified the day before it closed to run for Place 3 on the City Council. Rick Wash qualified on the final day to also run for Place 3. These two had never met, and the rest of the story is truly the product of our Heavenly Father working to bring these two men together. The very next weekend after qualifying Rick lost his longtime friend/dog Khol. He made the announcement on a Face
book posting with a picture of himself with Kohl. The message said he was running and Kohl was his best friend who had just passed away from a long battle with cancer. Chad quickly replied to his post with "So sorry to hear about Kohl Rick". Rick replied with "let’s meet up and chat". Later that week they both got together, and today they will both tell you it seems like they've known each other for decades. They have become great friends and the friendship has been a blessing to both of their families as well as the City of Pelham. From about 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Rick and Chad broke bread at Cozumel Grill & Mexican Restaurant on ELECTION day August 25th. They both agreed that day, if two people campaigning/running against each other can be UNITED as fellow Pelham Strong neighbors than we ALL can be UNITED.
1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no division among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. They recognized early on in their friendship they were passionate about bringing a Christmas Parade to the City of Pelham. They presented the plan to the City of Pelham Leadership, and the response was overwhelming acceptance and full support. The event wouldn't have been possible without the City of Pelham's support, the planning and preparation by the advisory board, and the countless volunteers working the night of the event. During all this, Rick and Chad worked feverishly and succeeded in founding a tax deductible 501(c)(3) nonprofit Pelham Strong. Not one penny is paid in salaries, and ALL of the money raised goes to supporting the Pelham Community. Their hope in all this time and effort is first our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is glorified through the efforts of Pelham Strong and second that our community is strengthened and becomes more community minded. After successfully executing the City of Pelham's first every Christmas Parade in 2021, the two plan to look at implementing additional community outreaches. Some ideas are adding a toy drive, a bicycle rodeo for kids in the summer, college scholarships, internships, and many other things on the horizon. May God bless you, our fine City of Pelham, and the United States of America. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.
