Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

While the Blue Angels roared overhead, angels of another sort swarmed in and around the Lowcountry Orphan Relief facility in North Charleston on Saturday, April 17, refurbishing  a facility that provides clothing and supplies for hundreds of  neglected, abused and abandoned children in the greater Charleston area.

Members of  the Church  of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Charleston 1st Ward, located  on Sam Rittenburg  Blvd. in West Ashley , sought a community resource  in need of  substantial refurbishing, one especially impacted by the enduring recession.  Lowcountry Orphan Relief, Inc. fit the bill.  The non-profit , private organization provided clothing and supplies for  2,132  children in 2009, a 40% increase over the orders filled in the previous year, reflecting the economic hardship in the area. 

The facility, located at 1850 Truxtun Ave. at The Navy Yard at Noisette, receives, sorts and distributes donated clothing and supplies upon request from agencies and schools.    Formerly a duplex that housed families of junior naval officers, the facility   was in need of interior and exterior painting as well as roof work, landscaping and installation of a parking area.

Ninety volunteers from  the LDS Church, including 18  children, stepped in to meet these needs.  They scrapped peeling paint, wielded paint brushes,  replaced rotted roofing,  removed concrete-embedded cloth line posts, raked leaves and debris, pruned trees and bushes , surrounded the building and trees with ground cover and planted flowers .   A 120x35 foot parking area was constructed from 42 tons of gravel and railroad ties.  They also completed an extensive clothing drive, and the young women filled orders for delivery Monday morning.  The effort was part of a Day of Service program conducted by the LDS Church in the Southeastern States  that involves thousands of volunteers in a variety of community service projects.

 Lowcountry Orphan Relief's Founder, Lynn Young, expressed amazement at the scope and impact of the volunteer effort .  "I am overwhelmed by the effort and goodness of  these volunteers.  They have made a lasting contribution to the welfare of the many children in need in our community."

L-R: Jerry Young, Lynn Young, Tom Gill, Shirley Gill, Tessa Pierce, Ed Pierce, Don Jones (back), and Steve Mauldin

Bright and early on Saturday, March 6, the Teaching Friends Sunday School class of First Baptist Church in Charleston and Lowcountry Orphan Relief made a lot of people happy. 

The children of migrant workers at Rural Missions on Johns Island received a new bright and cheery library, with books donated by LOR and the handmade shelving, made by LOR volunteer, Mr. Bill Dorrity.   The books were arranged and labeled by grade level and the room was decorated with fun and colorful posters and cut-outs for the children to enjoy and to help them appreciate reading.   

This class turned a room into a place of fun and learning for these children and Lowcountry Orphan Relief wants to thank them for all of their love and support and for this great project. 

Thanks Class!

The Alternative Spring Break Club from Plymouth State University

The Alternative Spring Break Club from Plymouth State University in Plymouth, N.H. drove 18 hours to Charleston on Spring Break to do volunteer work.  We were lucky to have them as they sorted and put away clothes.   

Thanks, guys!

Lowcountry Orphan Relief, represented by Lynn Young along with Wynwood Farms, Dee Norton Children's Center and Parents Anonymous received praises and a check from the Isle of Palms Exchange Club.

They raised money by putting on the IOP Run/Walk for the Child.  The people of the Exchange Club were delightful and we had wonderful entertainment and good home cookin'. 

Many thanks to the Isle of Palms Exchange Club for all it does for children and child abuse! 

Students and leaders from the Metanoia Program

Students and leaders from the Metanoia Program visited The Children's Closet and gave us a much needed helping hand.

Thank you Stacy Brown for making this happen!

Lynn Young with Kim Sheldon

Lynn Young with Devann Yata

Devann Yata, CEO of "Share Um Shoes," a local non-profit that collects slightly used shoes and redistributes them throughout the Lowcountry and abroad recently brought in 171 pairs of shoes for the children whom Lowcountry Orphan Relief serves!

Students from UNC - Asheville Baptist Student Union

Volunteers from West Virginia University Alumni Club

On Saturday, February 27,  a group of volunteers from West Virginia University Alumni Club led by Andrea Clements donated some of their time at The Children's Clothing Closet.

We would like to thank them for all of their hard work!

Go Mountaineers!

The Coosaw Creek Women's Club Members with Lynn Young

The Coosaw Creek Women's Club has been a longtime supporter of Lowcountry Orphan Relief. 

They recently they presented a check to Founder, Lynn Young, and to "My Sister's House" from proceeds from various fundraisers they hosted in 2009.

Cross Allison

Cross Allison, who turned six on February 16, 2010, had a birthday party and invited his friends to bring a book instead of presents for him, for the children Lowcountry Orphan Relief serves.

He collected 24 books and delivered them to the Children's Closet on March 3.

Thank you Cross, for having such a generous spirit!

Alise Dorrity with husband Bill

Seventy-eight year old Alise Dorrity of Goose Creek just returned from doing a medical mission in Cebu City, The Philippines.

There she learned of a program run by The Church of Christ; whereby, they help children and adults with cleft palates. Many of these families have very little so Alise requested clothing for some of them which they are sending to the Philippines through a non-profit organization in Texas.

Many people are working together to help those in need!