By J.R. Tidwell
Editor
TRUSSVILLE — It has now been about four months since 6-year-old Maggie Bowles of Trussville died as a result of injuries sustained in a car wreck on Saturday, July 8.
Maggie was riding along with her father Shawn when their vehicle was rear-ended on Happy Hollow Road as they attempted to slow and turn into a driveway.
“There were three vehicles involved in the wreck,” Trussville Fire and Rescue chief Tim Shotts said. “It occurred just after 2 p.m. near the intersection of Happy Hollow Road and Riverbend. One vehicle was struck from behind. We transported the little girl in that vehicle, and she was critical at the time.”
The collision left Maggie Bowles unconscious as personnel from TFRD arrived to render aid.
Maggie was in the intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital of Alabama when tests showed no brain activity, the family shared on the Facebook group Miracle for Maggie.
Over 18,000 people joined the Facebook group to show their support of Maggie and offer prayers and encouragement to the family. Just a few days after the crash hundreds gathered for a candlelight prayer vigil for Maggie.
Though it has been four months since Maggie passed away, she is far from forgotten. Shawn and his wife Kelly continue to make posts on social media in remembrance of Maggie.
Some events have also been held in her honor and memory since her passing.
Annie McDaniel is one of many who has been moved by Maggie’s story.
She and her husband Darryl own Marco’s Pizza on Main Street in Trussville.
The McDaniel’s have hosted multiple fundraisers at Marco’s, and hearing Maggie’s story made Annie want to put together a fundraiser to honor Maggie, Shawn and Kelly. “We are new to the Trussville area,” Annie said. “We have been here a year. I knew Maggie and her family had been in our store before.
“I watched their story unfold. I still follow their Facebook page, Miracle for Maggie. When I saw how brave, full of faith, and courageous her parents were, it touched my heart.”Annie then reached out to Shawn and Kelly and made the suggestion that Marco’s put together an event in remembrance of Maggie.
“They said they had seen the work we have done in Trussville, and that they would love to be a part of it,” Annie said.
Annie asked Shawn and Kelly what Maggie’s favorite pizza from Marco’s was, and it turns out it was Cheezy Bread.
The McDaniel’s are calling the event “Have Yourself A Maggie Little Christmas”. During the month of December, a portion of the proceeds of any Cheezy Bread sold at Marco’s will be donated to T.E.A.M. food bank, where Maggie’s grandmother volunteers.
“We did some special things in the store,” Annie said. “Courtney Harper, the art teacher from Paine Elementary where Maggie attended school, painted a Christmas scene with the theme on our windows. Maggie’s favorite colors were mint green and purple, so I added little touches of those colors to our Christmas tree and around the store.
“Darryl and I just feel grateful that Shawn and Kelly trust us to do this fundraiser in a way that will honor Maggie. We know this is a very tender time for them.”