2nd Annual Strawberry Jam Festival raises money for wounded veterans

ALBERTVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The 2nd Annual Strawberry Jam Festival held at Over Easy Acres in Albertville brought hundreds together for a day of fun, but it’s all for a much bigger purpose.

From strawberry picking and fun activities to good food and community, it offered a bit of everything for everyone.

“In today’s climate of technology and being tied up in your phone, there’s something special that people want and people enjoy about getting outside doing stuff like this,” said Jennifer and Lindsey Goodwin who founded the event last year.

The Goodwins tell News 19 that giving back was on their minds when they began the outing.

This year, the funds raised are benefiting the Wounded Warriors In Action Foundation (WWIAF) focusing on providing resources for veterans who were wounded while serving our nation. “It’s very gratifying and it’s half of what I wish we could do,” the Goodwins said.

Reflecting on Memorial Day Weekend, community members like Julie Doster say they’re thrilled to be part of the efforts in knowing it’s about giving back to those who sacrificed for our freedoms.

“It really is nice to be out here to be able to pay tribute to everybody that puts their life on the line for us,” Doster said. “That’s what Memorial Day is about all the fallen soldiers, everybody who’s been out there who’s put their lives on the line so we can enjoy everyday things like this.”

WWIAF gives veterans a chance to enjoy outdoor activities while promoting healing and wellness all at no cost. Events like the Strawberry Jam Festival help make that possible, and it’s why people like Annah Morgan say it’s much more significant than just the outing itself.

“It means so much just to come together with friends and neighbors to raise some money for the WWIAF because folks come out and the generosity of people out at Strawberry Jam, we get to make sure they never get to pay a penny for those experiences,” Morgan told News 19.

The Goodwins say they love having the community on their farm to enjoy each other and they say its humbling knowing it’s for a bigger cause.

“We take for granted sometimes and don’t pay attention to those who make it possible for us to be able to even do stuff like this, they deserve more credit than they get,” they said.

WWIAF focuses on assisting Purple Heart recipients in their recovery efforts through a number of things. If you’re looking to donate to our heroes, a link to the organization’s website can be found here.

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