Unity is a sweet, sweet thing.
"The people of Anson really want to help this family, because it could have been their families", says Dewayne Finley, president of the Anson Lions Club.
Chad Cowen attends church with the Woodruff family, and says though Anne Marie is miles away from her hometown of Anson, she is clearly the guest of honor at tonight's special feast, hosted by the Anson Lions Club.
"She's a beautiful little girl, she's very outspoken. We attended church with her. You know, for a second grader, she's always one of the kids that wants to get up when they need a volunteer to come pray", says Cowen.
Collecting money for Anne Marie's medical fund, every flapjack eaten tonight is taking a bite out of the financial burden on the Woodruff family.
"All the proceeds go to Carla to help pay, she's got a lot of medical expenses and day to day expenses down there in Fort Worth at Cook Children's. So anything we can do to help out", explains Cowen.
And though the second grader has come a long way in her medical journey, family friends say there is still a long way to go.
"I hear there is progress. At first it was more like she was unconscious and in a coma and not really knowing what's going on, and now they're talking about her starting to speak and relearning how to speak and walk, so it's a slow process", Cowen tells us.
Anticipating the day she can return home, the community of Anson is keeping the special 8-year-old at the forefront of their minds, with an appetite for Anne Marie's success.
We spoke with several people at the pancake supper who say they have spoken with Anne Marie's mother, Carla, who says Anne Marie has come along way in her health, and they are positive she will just keep getting better.
For now, Anne Marie, and her mother are staying at the Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth.
"The people of Anson really want to help this family, because it could have been their families", says Dewayne Finley, president of the Anson Lions Club.
Chad Cowen attends church with the Woodruff family, and says though Anne Marie is miles away from her hometown of Anson, she is clearly the guest of honor at tonight's special feast, hosted by the Anson Lions Club.
"She's a beautiful little girl, she's very outspoken. We attended church with her. You know, for a second grader, she's always one of the kids that wants to get up when they need a volunteer to come pray", says Cowen.
Collecting money for Anne Marie's medical fund, every flapjack eaten tonight is taking a bite out of the financial burden on the Woodruff family.
"All the proceeds go to Carla to help pay, she's got a lot of medical expenses and day to day expenses down there in Fort Worth at Cook Children's. So anything we can do to help out", explains Cowen.
And though the second grader has come a long way in her medical journey, family friends say there is still a long way to go.
"I hear there is progress. At first it was more like she was unconscious and in a coma and not really knowing what's going on, and now they're talking about her starting to speak and relearning how to speak and walk, so it's a slow process", Cowen tells us.
Anticipating the day she can return home, the community of Anson is keeping the special 8-year-old at the forefront of their minds, with an appetite for Anne Marie's success.
We spoke with several people at the pancake supper who say they have spoken with Anne Marie's mother, Carla, who says Anne Marie has come along way in her health, and they are positive she will just keep getting better.
For now, Anne Marie, and her mother are staying at the Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth.
