Churches in Grand Meadow are coming together to host a live, drive-by nativity aimed at raising funds for a family in Rushford, one hour away.

When organizers heard that Jared and Erin Cords, along with their three children, had lost their home and suffered burns in an Oct. 31 fire, they decided to act, organizer Jenny Gehling said.

Already, the community has raised about $3,600 for the family through buckets around the community.

The group decided that a live nativity would be a good event to hold. Crossroads College donated all the items it used in nativity scenes to the organizers. Among the donated items were costumes, lights, backdrops and a manger.

“We’re just taking all of those supplies that were given to us and running with it,” Gehling said.

All churches in the town will be represented at the event, she said.

At the event, $5 per car will be collected, along with a free will offering at the meal. All proceeds from the event will go to the Cords family.

Other than hearing about the situation and wanting to help, there was no connection to the family in the community, Gehling said.

“Our hearts are broken for them and we just want to make it a little better for them coming into the new year,” she said.

This event sends the message that Grand Meadow is a very supportive community that comes through when it needs to come through.

The event will go from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday in the parking lot of the St. Finbarr Catholic Church.

Gehling said the group is also looking at potentially making this an annual event to raise money for those in need in their community or elsewhere.