By Carla Branch and James Cullum
alexandrianews.org
Stu Ellis, along with sisters Sarah and Rebecca Gaunt and their mother, Shirley Ann Parrot. (Courtesy photo)
In six days, a college fund on Facebook.com has raised $19,425 for twin 18-year-olds. When Sarah and Rebecca Gaunt were younger, they lived in Del Ray. Their brother, Stu Ellis, is an active member of the Alexandria Young Democrats and is a well known waiter and bartender in Old Town. Less than a month ago, Ellis and the girls lost their mother and step father, Shirley Ann and Dale Parrot in a car accident near their home in Charlottesville.
The Parrott’s were killed in a traffic accident after dropping their twin daughters at the airport. The twins, Sarah and Rebecca Gaunt, were flying to their church’s international rally in Kansas City. The accident happened three days before the girls’18th birthdays and four weeks before the start of their freshman fall semester at Radford University. But since Dale Parrott agreed to cosign on their student loans for their tuition and expenses, but was killed in the accident, the lender pulled back on the loans. Something had to be done and The $10 Miracle on Facebook was the answer.
“I feel certain the girls will be able to qualify for programs to assist them with tuition, but it cannot be done before the beginning of the school year,” wrote Mike Coyle, who, with his daughter, Sarah, started Facebook page. “They are very good friends of my daughter Sarah and I promised their mother that I would take care of them while they attended college in Radford.”
Ten dollars from 1600 people, or $16,000, was the goal. “The girls have lost their mother and stepfather. Please help me to make sure they don’t lose the opportunity to begin college with their friends as well. These are 2 more innocent victims of this crash, and together, we can help make their life a little better. Linda and I have opened an account at our local Credit Union with a beginning balance of $1000; if just 1500 more people help out, we can make a huge difference in Sarah and Rebecca’s lives,” Coyle wrote. “Any remaining funds will be used to open a scholarship in Shirley Ann Parrott’s honor.”
The success was immediate. The page is liked by 787 people and is gaining on the Radford University Facebook page, which is liked by 1115 Facebook users. Lydia Stiltner Koon saw their story on the news and donated through PayPal. “My prayers and best wishes go to both girls for a bright start on their new life,” she wrote on Facebook.
Karen Kocik sent $100 via PayPal, plus “$10 for any who wants to but don’t have the means!” she wrote.
On Tuesday morning, August 24, The $10 Miracle posted this: “Good morning everyone (: I have AWESOME news. As of this morning, we have hit our goal and exceeded it! The total in the account right now is $19,425!! We are currently working with Radford to get the girls’ first semester paid for and make sure that any money left goes to others in need. We cannot thank you all enough… for all the love and support. We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”