"That's where the joy is, in helping others." --Denzel Washington
Farrah and I recently had the honor of attending a fundraising gala for Lowcountry Orphan Relief (LOR), an organization here in the Charleston area that benefits some of the most vulnerable children in the state of South Carolina. Through a number of programs and countless volunteers, LOR works to provide basic life necessities to lowcountry youth identified as at-risk or suffering from abandonment, abuse and/or neglect.
Prior to last week’s gala, I once heard LOR’s founder speak and was literally moved to tears as she described the desperate circumstances of these children. Many of the girls and boys that LOR serves have been abruptly displaced from their homes, finding themselves transferred to foster care with nothing but the clothing on their backs. For some of these kids, being presented with their very own toothbrush is an unaccustomed luxury. Can you even imagine?
As part of our pursuit of joyful living, we’re committed to giving back where we can and shining light on some of the causes that capture our hearts. Helping children in need is one such cause, and Lowcountry Orphan Relief is an incredible organization if you’re like us and looking for ways to make the holidays a little brighter for those less fortunate. LOR’s website is regularly updated to feature a list of “immediate need” items, as well as volunteer opportunities. Currently, the organization is conducting its annual “Stocking Drive” to help stock its distribution center with basic necessities for the year ahead. You can learn more here.
Of course, the need to care for at-risk children is not specific to the Charleston area. If you wish to make an impact on a more national scale, the My Stuff Bags Foundation is another great organization that provides needed items to thousands of children in foster care systems across the country.
In 2015, actor Denzel Washington gave a commencement address to graduates at Dillard University. He had a lot of great advice, but one counter-intuitive comment jumps out: “The most selfish thing you can do in the world is to help someone else. Why is this selfish? Because of the gratification, the goodness that comes to you.” In that case, we’re all for being a bit selfish this holiday season!
