Ladies in Maumelle Giving a Ray of Hope to Neighbors

One can never anticipate if or when a devastating loss will happen in their lives.

But it's good to know if you're faced with a traumatic experience, there is someone there to help pick up the pieces with you.

Some Maumelle residents are doing just that, giving those that have suffered a great loss, a ray of hope.

As the old saying goes, the calm comes before the storm.

"We woke up on a Saturday morning to my husband not breathing."

But it was anything but calm in 37-year-old Amber Barham's Maumelle home last July.

"My 10-year-old heard me screaming at him trying to get him to wake up, said Barham."

36-year-old Brett, Amber's husband and father to their two young daughters died, suddenly in his sleep.

Amber would quickly find herself both mom and dad.

"The bread winner, the bill payer."

When Dawn Meyer and others heard about their neighbor's traumatic experience, they began to wonder what they would do if it happened to them.

"What's the next step, how do you ever get back to a point and think this is normal."

So she and some friends came up with the Ray of Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps families get back on their feet, after a traumatic experience.

"Loss of income, loss of family, we help with people who adopt, said Meyer."

The foundations rainbow logo has a story.

"We came home from the memorial and there was a rainbow in the sky, and the next day after the funeral there was another rainbow, said Barham."

Now that rainbow serves as a tribute to Brett and other lost loved ones.

"I just think this is an amazing organization, that can help several families for years and years to come. I hope to help families for years to come as a pay it forward, said Barham.

The ladies work closely with the Maumelle Police Department, to help identify families that have suffered a loss. Tthey also make sure all families remain confidential if they want.

The foundation has helped 9 families so far.

Ray of Hope is gearing up for it's Rayn or Shine 5k race at Lake Willestein Park in Maumelle.

All proceeds will go to the foundation.

You can get more information at www.rayofhopemaumelle.com