Prayer vigil held for Trong children, family

By Christa Jennings
Senior staff writer

Friends and strangers alike gathered in Alexander City Wednesday evening at the walking track of Central Alabama Community College, coming together to lift a family up in prayer.

Denise Walls, executive director of Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance; her sister, Sheila Ray; and Haley Martin organized the prayer vigil for the Trong family, particularly young River and Ridge Trong.

A multi-vehicle wreck on U.S. Highway 280 in Alexander City Monday evening involving an SUV and a tractor trailer claimed the life of 29-year-old Amber Trong, River and Ridge’s mother. The boys were transported to Russel Medical Center then airlifted to Children’s Hospital, where they remained in critical condition as of press time.

The prayer vigil was held to pray for the recovery and complete healing of the two young boys, as well as to uplift Amber’s husband, Paul, and other family members and friends in prayer. Among relatives being covered in prayer is Coosa County E-911 Director Amanda R. Kimsey, Amber’s mother.

Ricky Culp led Wednesday’s vigil and prayed for the family. Approximately 80 people were in attendance for the prayer vigil, including numerous members of the Alexander City Fire Department and Coosa County District 3 Commissioner Brandon Davis.

“The thing that Amber was most proud of was being a mom to River and Ridge,” Culp said at the prayer vigil. “There was nothing more important to her than her family with Paul and these boys. Reading through all the social media posts being made about Amber, you see a consistent theme. Words like ‘sweet,’ ‘loving,’ ‘amazing,’ and ‘friend’ are being used over and over again. Amber was beautiful. Not only in outwardly looks, but she was also beautiful in spirit. She was a talented artist who put so much beauty into the world with her art and with her kindness.”

Culp added, “She will be missed by so many, especially by her husband, Paul; her mom, Amanda; her dad, Jon; and her sister, Kaitlin; who are all standing vigil at River and Ridge’s bedside as we speak. We wanted to come together tonight to stand in the gap for them and for Amber as we pray for the Lord to restore the bodies and minds of these two precious boys.”

Culp provided information given to him about River and Ridge, helping those gathered have an idea of who they were praying for and to learn more about the boys for whom they were praying a miracle would happen.

A second grader, River Dawson Trong is 8 years old and loves collecting Pokemon cards and playing video games. Culp said he is described by his family as an “all-American boy” and one who loves telling “guess what” jokes.

More than anything, however, he said River loves his family and his parents.

Aaron Ridge Trong is 5 years old and loves to follow in his big brother’s footsteps, with the two being constant companions. Culp shared that Ridge loves to tell “aw man” jokes, adding that Amber; Paul; and big brother, River; are “his whole world.”

“Our prayer is for the Lord to restore these boys to their family, who loves them so much,” Culp said at the vigil.

Amber was well known in the Alexander City community and spent time working at Jake’s on Broad Street over the years.

On Wednesday, Jake’s posted to social media, “We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of one of our own. Amber has been at Jake’s for many years when her schedule at her other jobs would allow. She was our resident artist and a bright light to many. Her proudest accomplishment was being a mom, and Amber adored her boys and her husband, Paul. Ridge and River are both at Children’s Hospital and need all of our prayers.”

To help with the family’s expenses, Jake’s is accepting direct donations at the restaurant, located at 16 Broad Street in Alexander City, with money collected going directly to the family.

Jake’s social media post added, “Amber, you will forever hold a special place in our hearts. Please keep this precious family in your prayers.”

In another attempt to raise money for the family, Alexander City’s First Baptist Early Learning Center is selling silicone bracelets for $2 each, with all proceeds going directly to the family. The front of the bracelets will read “The Trong Family,” while the back of the bracelets will read “Psalm 34:18.”

Those bracelets can be purchased at the Early Learning Center Office, where there is also a donation box for any additional donations individuals may wish to give.

Triple R Cafe in Rockford has now also started accepting donations to go directly to the family.

Additionally, while the website deducts a fee from fundraising efforts, a GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with medical bills and other expenses for those who wish to contribute through it. The GoFundMe was organized by Desiree LaRussa; a friend and coworker of Jon Peters, Amber’s father; and it can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-amber-trongs-family (or click here).

As of press time the GoFundMe was at $7,980 of its $20,000 goal.

Known for her artistic talents and creativity, Amber had recently began working at Obsidian Arc Tattoo Studio in Sylacauga.

In a recent social media post made April 7, Amber said, “I couldn’t be happier with my life as I am right now. Blessed is an understatement.”