Aimee Copeland Fund Gets $19,000 Donation from Snellville Citizens

It was an unusual time of cheers and tears at the Snellville council meeting on Monday evening, as officials presented a $19,000 check to the Copeland family.

Snellville Tourism and Trade, which puts on the city's community events, raised the bulk of the money during a special two-day event dedicated to Aimee Copeland. At the last minute, an anonymous donor put the group over the $17,780 it had planned to present.

The young woman's father, Andy Copeland, and sister, Paige Copeland, accepted the check for the Aimee Copeland Fund on behalf of the family. City officials, citizens and volunteers stood, giving the family a round of applause.

Fighting through tears, Andy Copeland said: "God bless you all. Thank you so much for your generosity, and just for your hard work. I mean, it just amazes me when I look around this room I see so many that I just love to death, and I'll never forget this. I know Aimee won't either."

Copeland, 24, is recovering from a rare, flesh-eating disease. She's lost both her hands, her right foot and left leg to the disease, but the Snellville woman has and continues to show progress that her doctors initially were uncertain of.

By August 30, the Copeland family is expected to greet Aimee back at her Snellville home. And, the $19,000 raised by local citizens will go a long way to helping her conquer the next phase of her life, said her father, Andy Copeland.

"I had actually no expectations on what it would be, but $19,000, that's a really nice sum," he said while standing outside of "That's going to a go a long way toward helping Aimee get a new lease on life. And, that's really what it amounts to right now.

"To say we've been blessed is now just an understatement. It's nice to know that we live in a place like Snellville where it's got really a nice, village feel to it. It's a strong community that pulls together. And, I just know this is the start of something really wonderful for the city of Snellville. I think we can expect some amzing things in the future as we move forward."

His daughter will certainly want to give back at some point to those who've helped her in this trying time, Copeland added. However, he doesn't want to overburden her in the early stages of her return home.

"I will let her do as much as she's willing, but I have to tell you, she wears down real quickly," he said.

Her progress and courage, however, has been "amazing," Copeland added. "And, I think she's certainly an inspiration to not just women, but to men and people all over because of her positive, can-do attitude, and she's just that way.

"You know, she does pause and have moments of introspection when she stops and she thinks, and I can see that in her eyes a lot of times, but even so, who wouldn't have that."

Just the other day, Aimee's mother was brushing her hair and her father could tell something was wrong. He asked her, "What's the matter." Finally, Aimee said, "I just wish I could do this," and then made a movement as if she were running her fingers through her hair.

"You know, the things you take for granted you just can't begin to put in words," Andy Copeland said.

Vickie Gallup and her daughter, Brianna Gallup Quador, were two Snellville citizens who were inspired by Aimee Copeland. Because of her story of tragedy and triumph, the mother and daughter sought to do something special for her.

That $19,000 check came largely from their efforts. Following Aimee Copeland's accident in May, they came to the city of Snellville about organizing a concert fundraiser for the family. They then spent countless hours drumming up support and musical acts .

On Monday, the city of Snellville also took the time to honor the two ladies in a special resolution. The duo said they were just trying to do a little something for the family, and they had no idea so much money would be raised.

"Better than I ever dreamed," said Vickie Gallup, who has lived in Snellville since 1990. "I mean, like I said before, I never set an amount that I wanted to raise because I didn't want to be disappointed in what we raised. I am very pleased."

Quador added: "It's exciting, especially now since it went up a couple of thousand."

Gallup said she's sat down to write Aimee Copeland a letter many times to express how the young woman has made a difference in her life. The right words never seem to come.

Her voice breaking, the mother said it was a hug that she really hoped to give her. Something to say "we're glad you're here."

Soon enough, she will get the chance, as Aimee Copeland returns home in a month or so to a city that's embraced her, cheered for her and prayed for her.