BAY MINETTE – People can run, shop, eat and play poker all day Saturday as part of a festival of fundraisers for Carlin Davis, a 12-year old Bay Minette girl suffering with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

The 12-year old daughter of William and Alice Davis of Bay Minette was diagnosed with a tumor on her brain stem in August. She has been receiving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., ever since.

The Carlin’s Courage Festival will be June 22, featuring a 5K fun run/walk, yard sale, lunch plate sale, live auction, yard sale and a poker tournament. All the proceeds from the day’s events will benefit the Davis family.

Steve Cheatham, who is heading up the 5K run/walk, said the idea for the festival came together after various individuals expressed an interest in helping the Davis family. “It has been a major group effort with everyone bringing something to the table and helping with every event,” Cheatham said. “We meet every week to make sure this day turns out to be something special.”

Carlin deserves no less than their best efforts, Cheatham said. “The reason we all got involved in this festival is the fact that most of us grew up together, we knew William and Alice growing up and we all have children we love and protect,” he said. “When you see Carlin or read about her battle with DIPG, it doesn’t seem possible that this little angel should have to fight this fight.”

Shana Harville, one of the festival organizers, said the whole idea started in a late night phone call with friend Tracy Long. “We were just saying how if this were our child we would not want to have to worry about money nor bills so we were trying to find a way to do a whole day benefit and make as much money as possible for them,” she said.

The response was overwhelming and inspiring, she said.  “This has been an amazing experience watching this little town and others from surrounding communities pull together for the Davis family.”

The family feels that love, and appreciates the outpouring of support. “The love shown to my family from friends and strangers has been amazing,” William Davis said. “The words of support for Carlin and her battle are truly amazing; they are in this battle with us.”

While the goal of the day-long festival is to raise money, Cheatham said it is also an opportunity for the community to show how much it cares for the Davis family. “We hope that everyday William, Alice, Carlin, Clare and Myles know that there are hundreds of people in this community and all over praying for them and are willing to do whatever it takes to help them win this fight. I think William said it best: ‘Winning is everything when your child has cancer’.”

For more information about the Carlin’s Courage Festival, call Shana Harville at 251-610-7213.

The events planned for June 22 include:

Carlin’s Courage 5K Fun Run/Walk: 8 a.m. at Bay Minette Kids Park on McMillan Avenue. Registration is $20 and all pre-registered runners will receive a shirt. Register online at active.com. Day of registration will also be available. For more information, call Steve Cheatham at 251-379-1874.

Yard Sale: 8 a.m. at the Mystic Reveler’s Float Barn on West 3rd Street, behind the fire station. To make a donation for the yard sale, contact Diane Minchew at 251-554-1062.

Chicken Plate lunches: Serving begins at 11 a.m. at the Float Barn. Plates are $7 each. For information, contact Mack Clay at 251-421-1988.

Live auction: 3 p.m. at the Float Barn, featuring everything from autographed sports memorabilia, hunting and fishing goods, massages, artwork, handcrafted items, jewelry, and more. Call Shana Harville at 251-610-7213 for details.

Poker Tournament: Registration starts at 6 p.m. and games begin at 7 p.m. at the Float Barn. For more information, call 251-455-0902.