Supporting Our Georgia Oak: Bernard’s Dual Transplant Journey

04/01/2026

A "Wright’s Crew" Update: Joy, Progress, and 22 Days to Go!

💚 Bernard is Out & About! 💚
It has been a beautiful sight to see Bernard Wright out around town these last few days! After a tough hospital stay a couple of weeks ago, seeing that legendary smile back in the community is pure joy for all of us.
Bernard wants you all to know that he feels every bit of the love you’re sending—from the "gifts of love" and the prayers to the hugs of support he receives on the street.

Two Weeks of Incredible Momentum
Only 14 days ago, we launched this mission to support Bernard and Rena as they navigate the road toward his dual heart and kidney transplant. Look at what we’ve achieved together:

• ✅ 8 Sponsors Confirmed (with 3 more currently in the mail!)

• 📈 GoFundMe Goal: Officially surpassed!

• 🤝 Community Strength: Growing every single day.
More Than a Tournament: A Day for the Family
"Pickleball Madness" at the Greene County Rec Department has grown into a full-scale community celebration!

• 🐻 Special Guests: A "little birdie told us Smokey the Bear and Harris SnoBiz are planning to drop in.

• 🚒 Touch-a-Truck: A fun, educational "safety zone" featuring some of our local emergency and protective departments.

• 🍴 Support on a Plate: Pre-order lunch plates or grab an official "Safety Green" shirt for a $25 donation.

🔥 22 Days to Go: How Can You Stand with Us?

1. The "Sea of Green" Cheer Squad
We need the Wright’s Crew to show up in force at 7:30 AM on Saturday, April 25th. We want Bernard and our players to arrive at 8:00 AM for 8:30 AM Opening Ceremony to a wall of supporters in matching safety green. Let’s make sure he sees exactly how many people are in his corner!

2. Shirt Pre-Orders – DEADLINE: FRIDAY, APRIL 10
To guarantee your size and join the "Sea of Green," please submit your shirt size and $25+ donation by Friday, April 10th.

3. Keep the Support Moving
We are still gratefully accepting donations via GoFundMe, CashApp, Venmo, Zelle, or by mail. If you have a donation ready, we will gladly come pick it up from you!

4. We Still Need Sponsors!
Our industry leaders are stepping up, but there is still room at the table. Help us give Bernard and Rena the ultimate peace of mind.

Contact Veda Lawrence for sponsorship & donation information:
levedalawrence@yahoo.com
(706) 817-3344

03/19/2026

If you’ve spent any time near a job site in Middle Georgia, you know Bernard Wright. At 50 years young, Bernard is the man who makes the whole day brighter. A staple in the Georgia woods since he was 15, he learned the ropes under his granddad, Cornelius Johnson Sr. and today, his uncle Ricky Johnson continues the Johnson Logging family legacy.

Bernard is the man the crew leans on. He’s an expert foreman and a master at his craft—the mechanic who can always find a way to get a massive piece of equipment back in gear with a smile on his face. Whether he was setting the pace for Timber Services of Georgia in Madison or bringing his expertise to Fordham Logging in Carlton, Bernard is as tough as a Georgia oak, with a heart as big as the outdoors and a joke ready for everyone he meets.

The Ultimate "Engine Overhaul"
In Bernard’s world, you don’t scrap a great machine just because it needs a heavy repair; you rebuild it from the frame up. Since a surprise heart attack in 2018, Bernard has been doing exactly that—facing every challenge with a spirit that has never wavered. Today, he lives with a defibrillator—a constant, silent guardian—and since 2024, he has managed the demanding routine of peritoneal dialysis every single day with the same steady hand he used to operate heavy machinery.

But these are temporary fixes. To get back to the life he loves, Bernard is preparing for his most important "repair" yet: a simultaneous heart and kidney transplant. He’s facing this "engine overhaul" with the same grit and humor he’s always brought to the woods. He isn't just getting by—he’s getting ready for his next big chapter.

The "Granddaddy" Standard
Bernard doesn't do "slow," and he isn't fighting this battle to sit still. He lives for his circle—his devoted wife, Athena Rena Wright, his kids, BJ, Jakayla, and Spencer, and the grandkids who think he hung the moon, Baylee and Braden. He is making this journey so he can get back to the thick of it: being the active, hands-on "Granddaddy" who is always on the move, the one the kids run to, and the man who keeps the family’s wheels turning. He’s fighting to get back to the sidelines, the job sites, and every family gathering where his laugh is the main event.

Joining the Wright Crew
As a foreman, Bernard has spent his life taking care of his people. Now, we are inviting the community to join his crew and help clear the path to his recovery. A dual transplant is a massive journey, and we want to ensure the only thing Bernard and Rena have to focus on is his healing.

Your generosity helps cover:
• The Rebuild: Medical deductibles and transplant-related expenses.
• Essential Support: Lifesaving medications and intensive post-op care.
• The Road Home: Travel and lodging so Rena and the kids can stay by his side during his recovery.

How You Can Pitch In:
• Contribute: No gift is too small to help Bernard and Rena reach the finish line.
• Share the Story: Help us spread the word from the job sites to the local stores.
• Keep Him Laughing: Drop a funny memory or a joke in the comments! You know he’s always looking for a good laugh.

The Logger with the Heart of Gold: Bernard Wright’s Journey t… Kayla Wright needs your support for A Georgia Oak: Bernard Wright’s Journey to a Dual Transplant