Gaither production premiere features young Rector fan

A special premiere of the newest Gaither Homecoming video was held at the Rector Community Center on New Year's Eve. The video, which featured Rector 13-year-old Ariel Dooley being interviewed by performer Bill Gaither, touched the hearts and minds of many who were present at the premiere.

Ariel, who was born with spina bifida, is confined to a wheelchair. Though her condition has required frequent hospital visits, Ariel is known around Rector for her tremendous spirit and positive attitude. Ariel has been watching Gaither videos since she was a baby. Her family has said the performances and messages in the videos have been of great help to the teenager during her battles with her health.

With the video's local premiere and its scheduled television airing throughout the year, more and more people are being exposed to the heartwarming event.

"A lot of people have told me it's one of their favorite videos," Joey Pruett, the great-uncle of Ariel said. Pruett, who also helped organize the event, owns and operated the projection equipment on which the premiere was displayed. "In this video, you get to see the artists in one-on-one interviews. They do some older songs which a lot of people recognize. These songs really touch the heart."

As the great-uncle of Ariel, the event really hit home for Pruett.

"It brings tears to your eyes to realize that she got to do something that not very many people get to do. She can't play basketball or softball like a lot of other kids her age. I've watched her all these years and have seen first-hand what she's had to go through. To see her in that video is so good for your heart."

The premiere was made possible by Rector native Bill Carter, producer of the Gaither Homecoming videos. Carter, one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation, was instrumental in helping Ariel meet with the Gaithers.

Carter now is using the videos to help provide to other children in Rector opportunities they might not otherwise have. The premiere generated over $1,100 for the Helping Hands Foundation. The money raised will be used to assist Rector students with short-term financial needs.

The organization has provided funds in the past for such things as basketball shoes, uniforms, expenses for school-related events, health, dental and eye care and much more.

"This foundation gives us a chance to do something for the community which gave so much to us," Carter said during a recent Helping Hands meeting. "I think it's one of the most important things we can do. I definitely feel that a community which supports its children not only gets to see those children benefit, but becomes stronger itself."