Thornwell Life 2023 Vol. 3

Thornwell Executive Leadership

Rev. Myron W. Wilkins

President and CEO

864-938-2733 | mwilkins@thornwell.org

Ms. Lindy Scott

Executive Vice President

864.938.2685 | lscott@thornwell.org

Mr. Norman Dover

Vice President for Educational Services

864.938.2794 | ndover@thornwell.org

Mr. Gregory W. Haselden, CPA, CGMA Vice President for Finance/CFO

864.938.2722 | ghaselden@thornwell.org

Mrs. Morgan Ednie

Vice President for Strategic Impact

864.923.5998 | mednie@thornwell.org

Thornwell Board of Trustees

FLORIDA

Mr. Clyde M. Brumfield

Mrs. Sylvia V. Collins

Mr. Tom Free

The Rev. Don Johnson

The Rev. Erika Rembert Smith

GEORGIA

Mrs. Ann Booker

Mr. Jim Conner

Mrs. Christine Crutchfield

The Rev. Rick Douylliez

Mr. Gordon Lee Hight II

Mrs. Mary Martin

Mrs. Jean P. McKnight

Mr. Steven L. Roberts

NORTH

CAROLINA

Mrs. Ursula Robinson

OH, the Places They'll Go

Sunshine poured across Thornwell's Child Development Center's lawn. Family and friends came carrying balloons, flowers, and phones, ready to capture what was coming. Little ones wiggled in their shiny robes and funny square hats. It was a BIG day. It was GRADUATION Day!

“I am excited, but I am emotional. It's just crazy how she has started off this year, and now she is ending it by graduating,” said Cheyenne, mother of K4 graduate Lillian McGill. "She will move forward to 5K and make new friends. It's emotional, but it's exciting for her, and she is so ready."

SO READY.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Mr. Julius J. Anderson Jr.

Mrs. Elizabeth A. Bagwell

Ms. Kay Cleveland

Mr. Michael J. Cunningham

The Rev. Dr. Charles Elliott

Mrs. Tamra Sasser Erde

Ms. Holly Furr

Mr. M. Craig Garner, Jr.

Mrs. Harriet D. Ike

Mrs. Susan W. Malloy

Mrs. Dorianne Norwood

The Rev. Lawrence Peebles

Mr. Maurice A. Purcell

Dr. Flury G. Wilson

The Rev. Dr. William Ward

Ms. Teresa D. Madden

It was a common thread shared between family and excited faces on this day. Ready for friends, ready for a celebration, and ready to succeed in kindergarten next year – all because people like you create pathways for academic excellence by supporting Thornwell’s Child Development Center!

As the graduates appeared, little hands peeked through long robe sleeves as each child waved excitedly to loved ones. Instantly, smiles spread across the crowd. Giggles could be heard from the lineup as they sang the songs they had practiced - ABCs, weekdays, counting, and so much more!

"I am so proud of her. When she first started school, she did not know her ABCs or how to count to 10, and now she can do those things and sing songs about them,” explained Cheyenne. "She can write her name now. It's just awesome to see where she started and how this year has ended."

Names were called, and one by one, children raced toward the podium to receive their certificates and, most importantly, hugs from their teachers and Director, LaVerne Roberts. It was hard to tell who was smiling bigger – the children or their teachers, especially teaching assistant Rebecca Fuhrman.

“I enjoy teaching because they do not know much when they come to us. Then throughout the year, you can see their lightbulb go off. It all starts clicking, and you see their hard work pay off," she explained.

Did you know YOU are helping create these lightbulb moments in our children? Thanks to your generosity, you’ve equipped students with the foundational tools and skills they’ll need to succeed this year in kindergarten and beyond!

Festivities weren’t complete without a celebration dance with family and friends and a theme of “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” –a book by Dr. Seuss. As giggles, cheers, and exceptional dance moves erupted across the room, the joy was simply contagious. It was JOY that you delivered because of your love. Thank you for being a vessel for laughter and learning!

“Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!”

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Turning the Page Together

When Julia entered foster care at sixteen years old, she felt hopeless. Her life up to this point had been anything but easy. She didn’t believe anyone would want her, a teenager struggling in school and fourteen weeks pregnant. But thankfully, Thornwell believes that every child deserves a safe and loving family. Tracy, the Foster Care Family Specialist in her area, knew she had the perfect family for Julia. When the Williams family opened their door to welcome her, they remembered a shy girl with a sweet smile and the brightest blue eyes they had ever seen.

Because you give generously to Thornwell, not only was Julia surrounded with the love and support of a caring foster family, but she was equipped with innovative resources and services to meet her individualized needs!

Julia was enrolled in Thornwell’s Read Right program and matched with a tutor named Rhonda. Every week, Rhonda met with Julia virtually so that she could remain in the comfort of her foster home. Her confidence and reading proficiency progressed along with her pregnancy. Each week, Rhonda helped her to read and understand the parenting articles and doctor’s instructions that she desperately wanted to comprehend in order to care for herself and her baby well.

Julia started 9th grade at the school where Ms. Williams is a teacher, but they quickly realized she struggled to keep up. Due to the instability in her family life, Julia’s education was severely disrupted. She didn’t know how to engage in the classroom meaningfully. She didn’t know how to ask for help. She was reading at only a 4thgrade reading level. Ms. Williams and her support team at Thornwell refused to give up on Julia.

This collaboration of Thornwell’s Foster Care team, Julia’s foster family, and Thornwell’s Read Right program allowed Julia to build her confidence, make incredible academic progress, and prepare for motherhood! This is the difference that our continuum of care can make in the life of a young person. It will not end here; literacy will impact Julia’s family for generations.

Thank you for believing that hope is possible! Thanks to YOU, Julia believes there is hope for her and her baby to have a better, brighter future TOGETHER.

Today, Julia and her sweet baby boy are healthy and happy at home with the Williams family. She has everything she needs, thanks to Thornwell’s community of support. Tonight, she will hold her baby safely in her loving arms as she reads him a bedtime story. You made that bedtime story possible! We can imagine no better gift than this one. Because of you, because you support Thornwell’s innovative and collaborative programs, a mom and her baby are together.

Contributing to a Legacy of L ve

As a retired Librarian, Harris Murray has always had a knack for research. As a 30-year-donor to Thornwell, her advice about why someone should give Thornwell begins with the reading of two books – the Bible and the diary of Thornwell’s founder, Dr. William Plumer Jacobs.

“When I read Dr. Jacob's diary, I remember a quote that alluded to the fact that if God allowed him to be a minister, he would like to serve in a small, sociable, friendly town. Of course, God answered, and from that prayer, a tiny seed of faith was planted,” said Harris on a warm day in early June while touring Thornwell’s campus. “We study the mustard seed in the Bible. I think Dr. Jacobs had that mustard seed of faith, and he gave what he had, though it was not millions. He built something lasting.”

Harris first learned about Thornwell more than 40 years ago when her college roommate got a job here as a social worker. Forty-four years later, that former roommate, Lindy Scott, is Executive Vice President. She and Harris are still the best of friends.

“[One year], she invited all our college friends to experience [Thornwell],” said Harris. “I saw at Thornwell children who did not have the advantages that I had. Some of their disadvantages were severe. I was able to observe how the adults at Thornwell prepared these children for life in the future.”

Soon after, Harris and her husband decided to give to Thornwell for the first time.

“My husband and I talked about it, and we agreed to a set amount each month, and that was probably 30 years ago. And consistently, every month, I send my contribution. I often make it in honor or in memory of someone so that the word about Thornwell spreads to others who perhaps are not familiar with it.”

As the years have passed, Harris is especially proud of Thornwell’s growth and adaptation to the changing needs of children and families.

“There is a vision at Thornwell. It is a vision of ministry, and however that ministry is expressed, it is expressed with love, compassion, and strength,” said Harris. “The Bible commands us to look after the children - the widows and the orphans. And although not all children at Thornwell today are classical orphans, many are orphans of the living. I’ve long felt a compelling impulse to support the work of an institution and people who would give those children the tools they need to progress in life.”

She hopes others will be inspired to give freely as she has upon the inspiration of the Bible, a diary, and a fruitful vision that she feels will leave a legacy of love.

“I think Thornwell will be thriving in the next 150 years in a way none of us can imagine.”

Join us Saturdays in October for the 3rd Annual Fall Festival and Corn Maze at LushAcres Farm.

Experience fun for the whole family! Plus, for every ticket purchased, you’re directly helping children and families supported by our Continuum of Care!

November is Thornwell Emphasis Month!

This special time of year reminds us of the unique privilege of partnering with churches like yours to help children and families in need!

Print and Digital Materials are available! Participate by visiting Thornwell.org/emphasismonth

www.lushacresfarm.com/fall-festival

Donating appreciated securities – such as stock or mutual funds – to Thornwell is a tax-wise approach to providing for children in need. Many donors choose to give gifts to Thornwell using long-term appreciated stocks and mutual funds due to the attractive tax advantages associated with such gifts.

The benefits available to you when making a charitable contribution of stock or mutual funds may include the following:

• Avoiding federal and state taxes on capital gains.

• Receiving an income tax deduction (federal and most states) for the full market value of the gift if you itemize deductions on your tax return and have held the assets for one year or longer.

• Making a larger gift at a lower original cost to you.

When you’re ready to make your stock donation, please get in touch with Suzanne Bland, Director of Philanthropy. She will promptly send you all the information you need, as well as answer any questions you have. Suzanne Bland 864-938-2706 SBland@thornwell.org