Hats Off to a Legacy of Generosity

The Adventist Community Services Center at 403 Gallatin Pike, lovingly known as “The 403,” runs on something simple—but powerful: donations. Whether those donations are directly given to our clients or sold to raise funds for vital food and supplies, each gift becomes part of someone’s miracle. And sometimes, those miracles begin with a story. Today, I want to share one with you.

A Collector with a Calling

One afternoon, a faithful volunteer walked into the center alongside her daughter, both of them carrying bin after bin of…baseball caps. Over 1,200 caps, to be exact! We were stunned, a bit speechless even. Where did they all come from?

As it turns out, these hats belonged to a man we dearly loved—Dan Gibson, a long-time deacon at Madison Campus Church. Dan had spent decades collecting baseball caps everywhere he went—road trips, ballgames, gas stations, work events, theme parks, and even the side of the road. If a hat needed a home, Dan gave it one. Many were still brand new with tags, stored carefully in plastic containers for years.

After Dan passed away, his wife Faye and daughter Denise made a beautiful decision: they donated his entire collection to the 403. Their hope? That these caps would warm heads and hearts alike. But none of us could have imagined just how far Dan’s passion would go.

The Hats That Keep on Helping

In the first few months, hundreds of hats found new homes—given freely to those in need. But then something surprising happened: a few collectors and boutique shop owners noticed that some of the hats were rare…and valuable.

Soon, hats were being sold on platforms like eBay and Marketplace, and within just a few months, over $8,000 had been raised. One vintage store owner alone purchased $2,500 worth! Several individual hats sold for nearly $100 each—one even fetched $163.

Imagine it: A man who quietly collected caps for decades is now feeding families, filling lunch boxes, and keeping shelves stocked with essentials—all through his simple love for hats.

Dan would’ve been overjoyed.

Gratitude All Around

This story wouldn’t be complete without thanking Vickie Anderson, our volunteer extraordinaire, who has lovingly handled the research, pricing, packing, and shipping of these hats to buyers near and far. Her time and effort have multiplied the impact of Dan’s donation exponentially. (If you’re curious, our eBay username is acs_center403, member since 2023.)

We’re also deeply thankful to Faye and Denise for sharing Dan’s legacy with us. Their generosity is helping us do what we’re called to do: Love God. Love People. Serve the World.

You Can Be Part of the Mission

There’s one more kind of donation we depend on—and we’ve been running low lately.

We need people.

The 403 thrives on volunteers who give their time, energy, and love to serve others. You might wonder: Why would someone volunteer?

• Because Jesus calls us to serve.

• Because serving others blesses us, too.

• Because you're retired and still want to use your gifts.

• Because you’re looking for community and connection.

• Because you’re curious what’s behind the doors at 403.

• Because your child needs community service hours (yes, we qualify!).

Whatever your reason, there’s room for you. Whether it’s two hours a month or one day a week, we can find the perfect spot for you to jump in. We need:

• Cashiers

• Interviewers

• Clothing sorters

• Food box packers

• Lunch preparers

• Decorators

• Heavy lifters (and no, you don’t have to be heavy—just strong!)
  …and so much more.

Come tour the 403. Talk with our volunteers. See what we do. Step out of your comfort zone—you might just find your new favorite place to serve.

We look forward to meeting you. The invitation is open to all.