Every year around Christmastime, members of the Hillsborough County Junior Cattlemen’s Association do a community service project, which usually involves providing gifts and meals to a family in need. But this year, as one of their beloved leaders, Susan Harrell, fights lymphoma, the students are doing something a little bit different.
“The students wanted to focus their attention on giving back to Susan,” said Stephanie Conrad, who started up HCJCA’s chapter in 2009. “She’s very highly regarded. They love her.”
They decided to form Team Susie and make their beloved mentor t-shirts, as well as start a fundraiser for her.
Over the years, Harrell has poured out her time to students through HCJCA, FFA, 4-H, the Florida State and Hillsborough County fairs and more. She is known throughout the county for her dedication to young people and agriculture.
“She called them the ‘Cattle Kids’ — that’s how she affectionately referred to them,” Conrad said about Harrell’s relationship with the members of the HCJCA.
One of Harrell’s sons, Jimmy Harrell, recently posted a request on Facebook, asking the community to respond with ways his mother had impacted their lives.
“I can’t recall a moment in school, the show ring, or any barn at that, when Susan did not have a smile on her face and a heart full of love and support,” Jesie Andrlik wrote.
“My children consider her their second mom, but so do many people in Hillsborough County,” John Butts added.
Dozens of other comments revealed Harrell’s reach throughout the county and how she has made differences in the lives of countless youth involved with agriculture.
Harrell discovered this summer that she would have a long battle ahead of her with lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. She has been going through treatment for the disease, but she contracted pneumonia this fall and was in the hospital with complications for more than a month.
When the members of HCJCA and their parents gathered to brainstorm ideas for this year’s community service project, there was a consensus that the best thing to do would be to organize a fundraiser for Harrell.
“We brought it up, and the kids ran with it,” Conrad said. “It meant a lot to me because that just shows how special she is. It wasn’t something they were forced to do.”
The group decided first, to make and sell t-shirts. Some local sponsors covered the cost of producing the shirts, which means 100% of proceeds from their sales will go to helping Harrell with her non-treatment expenses while she fights the disease.
The t-shirts say “Team Susie” and feature an awareness ribbon that is green, the color for lymphoma. They also have the text of a Bible verse.
“Susan has a very strong faith, and we wanted to put her favorite verse on there,” Conrad said. “But because of how sick she was, we weren’t able to get that information.” Conrad said.
Instead, they chose Isaiah 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
“It’s a verse of strength and hope, and holding on tight to the promises that she’s going to be well again,” Conrad said.
There will be a fundraiser at Beef O’Brady’s in Valrico, where the restaurant will donate 10% of every bill to Harrell’s cause when customers mention Team Susie. It will also feature a silent auction of donated items.
The students will distribute t-shirts that were preordered, and have extra shirts to sell. If they sell all of the shirts they have already ordered, they will order another batch. T-shirts are $15 each.
Another fundraiser at Beef O’Brady’s in Brandon was held Nov. 5.
Harrell, who was just released from the ICU, wrote in a September Facebook post: “I could not believe my eyes when I saw that Team Susie had been established. As the balance grew, I was even more surprised, humbled and thankful. I know you all love me but was really taken aback by your generosity and the widespread participation.”
TEAM SUSIE BENEFIT EVENT
Where: Beef O’Brady’s, 2561 E. State Road 60, Valrico
When: 12 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8
Write “Team Susie” at the top of your bill to make sure your donation is accounted for.
For t-shirt orders, attend the fundraiser at Beef O’Brady’s or call (813) 393-8695.
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.