#RACK for Karen’s Place Maternity Center
Lea Ann and her son Cody
After losing her 21-year-old son Cody in a car accident, his mother Lea Ann Gollihue is putting her grief into action. Gollihue, a Boyd County resident, is on a mission to give back to Karen’s Place Maternity Center, in a big way! This has been Gollihue’s place of employment for the past 6 months. During this time she said the center has helped her cope and deal with the pain of losing her son.
Karen’s Place is located in Louisa, KY and houses pregnant and non-pregnant women. Lea Ann recently will begin her career as Registered Play Therapist in Ashland Kentucky. Gollihue told us she did not want to leave without giving back to the place that has given her so much healing.
“Each one of the girls that have come through my office have left a forever imprint on my soul,” she said.
Cody Gollihue was well known for his kindness and generosity. After the tragedy, the family created #RACK – Random Acts of Cody Kindness which went viral online with strangers conducting random acts of kindness. #RACK has since spread globally, encouraging others to perform random acts of kindness.
The Facebook group now has well over 77k members. Leann is attempting to pull off her biggest #RACK yet by giving back to the clients at Karen’s Place Maternity Center. She is collecting donations for pregnant and non-pregnant woman at the center.
Director Angela Null said, “Karen’s Place Maternity Center is forever grateful for helping hands like #RACK. Such small gestures and needs will inspire one’s life with gratitude and belief. I have seen the ladies at KPMC feel so loved and worthy when organizations like #RACK bring worth back into their lives simply by showing them someone cares. This caring makes so much impact on KPMC ladies, they become driven towards God’s love and recognize they are worthy of this life God has planned for them. Then these ladies start believing in themselves due to one simple act of kindness.”
Assistant Director – Jamie Gilliam had this to say about her former employee:
” It has been a honor over the last 6 months to get to know Lea Ann and learning about #RACK. Her story of turning a tragedy into carrying on the legacy of her amazing son has touched my heart. I truly feel like I have gotten to know Cody and his kind heart through Lea Ann and her family’s mission to carry on his kindness. Just like the clients of KPMC have left a imprint on Lea Ann’s soul, Lea Ann and Cody have left a imprint on mine! I know that God will continue to bless the #RACK movement and honor the memory of Cody through it!!! KPMC has forever been touched by the impact of Lea Ann, her amazing heart and Cody! “
The following is the information from Mrs. Gollihue to help make this #RACK possible:
I need everyone’s help to pull off a massive #RACK!
After Cody’s accident I swore I’d never return to counseling. I was so determined that I wouldn’t return to this career I had applied to return to school and become a kindergarten teacher. God said, “No!” I was offered an opportunity to be the Clinical Therapist at Karen’s Place Maternity Center in Louisa. I started on 8/13/18 and my last day will be 3/15/19. God knew I needed to be at KPMC not to help others, but to gain healing that could only come from being surrounded by the most courageous, strong, brave and bold women. Just as a stream is forever changed when a pebble has been thrown in, so have I been changed at KPMC. The women who have entered my counseling office have each bravely shared their soul and trusted me with their story; they have each left an imprint on my life. I’ll never be the same. How could I not grow stronger?
Items I’m collecting:
1) New makeup (NEVER opened in packages) this includes: lipstick, foundation, powder, eyeliner, blush, contour, etc.
2) Maternity Clothing
3) Newborn Baby clothing, diapers, baby wash, pacifiers, diaper bags, etc. All things Baby
4) canvas, crayons, journals, colored pens, gel pens, crayons, coloring books, etc (they love art projects)
5) women’s shoes & house shoes
6) seek n find puzzles, crossword puzzles, etc
7) board games and puzzles
8)lotion and perfume
9) candy, 2 liter sodas and 12 pack of pop
10) NEW underwear, socks & bras (these can be gently loved and do not need to be new)
11) women’s clothing (all sizes)
12) hair straightener, curling irons, etc.
Please help me shower them with the same love & kindness they’ve shown me for the last 6 months.
Address & information for anyone wanting to make a donation:
Karen’s Place Maternity Center
Center Phase – 1
221 Windy Hill Drive
Louisa, KY 41230
Phone: 606-254-8943
