Our story, our mission

My name is Mandy Gaddie. I am 42 years old, a wife, and a mother of three. I have been married for 12 years, and above everything else, I love Jesus. My faith is a huge part of who I am and the way I try to live my life every day.

I have worked at Sonic Drive-In for 26 years and currently serve as a General Manager. Over those years, I have learned so much about hard work, leadership, serving others, and bringing people together. I truly believe God has used those experiences to prepare me for where I am today.

I am the President of Rooted 2 Serve, a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. I never imagined myself helping lead a nonprofit. I just knew that when I saw someone who needed help, I couldn’t walk away and do nothing. What started as simply wanting to help people has grown into Rooted 2 Serve, and I truly believe God has been leading us every step of the way.

I have a special place in my heart for senior citizens, families who are struggling, and people who need help with their homes or everyday needs. Through Rooted 2 Serve, we have been able to help with home repairs, cleanups, transportation, basic necessities, and many other needs in our community.

I believe God calls us to serve people without expecting anything in return. Sometimes changing someone’s life doesn’t require doing something huge. It can start with seeing a need, showing up, and being willing to help.

My dream is for Rooted 2 Serve to continue growing and one day have a Community Resource Center where we can reach even more people, bring our community together, and provide a place where people know they can turn when they need a helping hand.

I am just an ordinary person who loves Jesus, loves my family, and loves my community. I believe that when people come together with willing hearts, we can make an extraordinary difference in someone’s life.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” — Mark 10:45

My name is Samantha Young, and I’m 33 years old. I’m a firm believer in Jesus Christ, and my faith is at the center of who I am. I’m a wife and a mother of four, and I’ve worked at Sonic Drive-In for the past 17 years.

My journey with God hasn’t always been easy, but He has always been faithful. I was baptized because, at the time, I wasn’t completely sure if I had been baptized before, and I wanted to make sure my life was surrendered to Christ and that I would spend eternity with Him. Looking back, I can see God’s hand over my life through every season.

He was there through a difficult relationship, through the heartbreak of losing a stillborn baby, through finding my husband, and through a time when I was very sick last year. Through every high and every low, the Lord has never left me. He has continually picked me up, strengthened me, and carried me when I didn’t have the strength to carry myself.

I’ve always had a heart for helping people, and for a long time I felt like God was calling me to do something more for Him. Then Samantha Waggoner approached me and said, “Let’s start a Bible study.” So we did. We started meeting with some of the girls at Sonic, simply wanting to share God’s Word and grow together in our faith.

What started as a Bible study turned into something so much bigger than we could have imagined. Some of the girls wanted to be baptized, so I reached out to my church, Hillvue Heights, and five of them took that step of faith and were baptized. Watching God work in their lives was such an incredible blessing.

Then Mandy Gaddie came to me and said, “Let’s start a nonprofit to help our community.” And we did!

We officially got started in April, and even though we are just beginning, God has already shown us blessing after blessing. It has been amazing to watch Him move in mighty ways through our community and to see people come together to love, serve, encourage, and help one another.

Since then, Kayla Turner has also joined us in helping with our nonprofit, Rooted 2 Serve. She loves Jesus and has a heart for helping people, and we are so grateful to have her alongside us in this mission.

I truly believe God has placed this calling on our hearts for a reason. We may not know exactly where He is leading us, but we trust the One who does.

I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us next. If He can take the broken pieces of our stories and use them for His glory, I know He can do something incredible through this ministry.

All glory belongs to God. We are simply willing vessels, rooted in Him and ready to serve wherever He leads us. ❤️

​My name is Samantha Wagoner. I'm 34 years old, and I'm from Lewisburg, KY. I have three kids, and I'm married to Chris Wagoner.
​I was an addict for 10 years, and in 2024, I learned that I was also an alcoholic. I have now been sober for 1 year and 6 months! I worked helping recovering addicts for 4 years, which didn't work out and led me to Sonic. I was there for 8 months, then left for 8 months trying to fill a void from thinking I walked away from God's purpose for my life. That led to a lot of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and intrusive thoughts.
​The Lord led me back to Sonic, where I belong and was always meant to be. I tried to do things my own way, but the Lord has a way of bringing you back to where He placed you to show you His plan, His calling, and His purpose for your life! A lot of the time, it is never what we expect.
​In this same year, I picked up my Bible and started reading, literally holding on to every single word. Along the way, I made wonderful friends in Samantha Young, Amanda Gaddie, and Kayla Turner—truly amazing, God-fearing women! When I returned back to Sonic, the Lord gave me a joy and peace I couldn't explain, and I stopped drinking. We created a wonderful Bible study which I have the amazing honor to lead. We started at the end of January, and by March, we were baptized at Samantha’s church.
​Shelia Hinton is a big part of my story and has been the brightest light for me. She probably doesn't know it, but she saved me. From the beginning, it was laid on my heart to bear all my fruits to her, to always answer her call, and to share Jesus with her.
​I’ve learned this year that God forgives; you are never too far gone. Repentance isn’t easy, but it is necessary! The Jesus that is in you can be shared with the person right beside you. My God is alive, and I have witnessed His amazing ways through so many of the women at Sonic. Jesus will show up in the most unexpected places—just invite Him!
​I know there are more people to serve and help, and that's why Rooted 2 Serve exists. We are here to provide service, to clean, to pray, and to uplift! I can’t wait to see what the Lord does next. He is in total control!
​Jesus loves you! Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." A ransom is a price paid for a slave. I was a slave to sin, and Jesus paid it all for me and you. Just for that reason alone, I want to serve others—whatever that looks like.