ABC 8 NEWS
26 Jun
POPTAP is Positively Richmond

by: Amy Lacey

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Dottie and Brian Harkins are putting together a care package for a complete stranger. It is filled with a message they’ve spread since Dottie’s shocking diagnosis with a brain tumor eight years ago.

“We’ve always been positive thinkers, and it really just came to me. Power of Positive Thinking and Prayer, POPTAP,” Dottie remembers how that acronym printed on hats got family members and friends through her surgery.

It was a visual that they were one team, getting through the tough time together. Now that Dottie is healthy again, she is determined to offer the same support to anyone who needs it.

“People have medical issues and personal issues, divorce, losing a job or just anything,” Dottie lists the reasons POPTAP is ready to help.

“What POPTAP means is hope, believe, being positive, know that things can get better if you take the proper action,” adds Brian. “It just makes you stronger, just POPTAP no matter what happens in your world. Just be positive, some how, some way.”

Since Dottie’s health scare, she and Brian are determined to give others a boost one hat, keychain and water bottle at a time

“If you believe in a positive way, good things can happen,” she says.

You can request merchandise for a loved one going through a challenge on the POPTAP website.

The Harkins are also preparing for the 4th annual POPTAP Charity Golf Tournament benefiting VCU Massey Cancer Center. It will be held at Salisbury Country Club on July 13. June 20 is the deadline to register by following this link.

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