Oakdale is a special place.

Now with over two decades of covering the spirit of Oakdale up close and personal, I can honestly say it is the most giving community I’ve ever experienced. When need arrives Oakdale rallies.

That “need” may be anything from a displaced family needing furniture and clothing, to a cheer group in need of help for uniforms and travel or a family experiencing unexpected illness and all the costs that accompany it.

It has been an honor to be on the other side of the recorder to help promote the numerous fundraisers hosted throughout this community. Through each and every one I’ve continued to take away something which resonated with me personally. In several instances there’s even been quotes which have stuck and to this day I’ll share with people as we marvel over how Oakdale shows up.

Several years ago, one of our very own from the Oakdale Leader team found himself on the other side of this giving community. Former sports reporter Jagada Chambers and his wife Dawn faced the unthinkable as their then-baby Jyriaun was taken to Oakland Children’s Hospital for a brain tumor. Jyriaun was less than a year old at the time and the tumor was cancerous.

Within days the community rallied and a fundraiser was put in place to help this young family.

At the time my “little brother,” as I affectionately call him, called and sought my advice. Overwhelmed and a bit uncomfortable with the giving, he asked me what to do.

I shared with him simple words which had once been given me: “Sometimes you need to get out of your own way and let people help you.”

Later as I penned the story on the upcoming fundraiser, I spoke with then-Oakdale High varsity football coach Trent Merzon, who had grown close to the Chambers family.

During the interview, Merzon shared the uniqueness of Oakdale stating, “The thing about Oakdale is, when there is a need we rally. Whether they like the person or not when it comes to helping one another people don’t hesitate to open their wallets and give.”

That fundraiser went over so well it enabled Dawn Chambers to take a year off work to care for their son.

Today, Jyriaun is a thriving young man recently earning honors inducted in the National Junior Honor Society not just once but twice.

Oh the memories and the blessings, truth be told it would make quite the book of inspiration.

Then two weeks ago something crazy happened.

In the middle of any old Thursday, I received a text from Cotton and Sage co-owner Ashley Harris. She shared she had learned of my recent cancer return and as a business would like to help. Her idea was to host a raffle at the shop to help fundraise a bit to help my little family.

It seemed simple enough. Now entering our fourth battle with this disease since 2020, funds have become thin at best. Commercials will tell you being ill is more expensive than being healthy and that’s no lie. Although I’m still confused by the fact that I was an avid runner, yoga teacher and all-around good eater at the time of diagnosis, being ill has definitely cost more than my now dusty running shoe collection.

But then something happened – Oakdale showed up.

Harris along with her ‘Partner in Crime’ on this endeavor, Syanne Dominguez, owner of Felt and Feather, sent me a list of donating businesses indicating they had collected over $3,000 in raffle items.

Stunned to tears I quickly became overwhelmed as well as confused. How?

Something I had envisioned as a cute little basket of lotions, candles and maybe a few gift cards now resembled something one might win as the grand prize on the Price Is Right – Wow!

It’s a humbling thing to be on the other side of the story. The generosity of this community is astounding.

So while I won’t be out with recorder in hand talking to these two angels about the cause, their why and how to donate, I can do this.

Dear Oakdale business owners and community members: You are a true special breed of Angels. At a time when our family sat in darkness and confusion, you showed up. At a time when we occupied our days with pep talks, looking for one bright light from a doctor’s appointment, you showed up with your miner’s hat on and pulled us from the tunnel.

We as a family believe in Jesus. We have faith in our Lord and believe that He will get us through this. That being said this great community with that king-size miner’s hat; you have lit up our hope.

Thank you is simply not enough to express our gratitude, but today it’s what we have.

In the words of my dear friend Jason Turnage during his fundraising story in 2011, I leave you all with this.

“Things don’t always go your way, that’s just a fact. The trick is to do your best through it … not everything is as important as we think it is.”

Oakdale, you are important. God bless you all.

Teresa Hammond is a staff reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Riverbank News and The Escalon Times. She may be reached at thammond@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 209-847-3021.