Thornwell Campus Blog

Mike Roadancer honoring his agreement

Some of you may have heard about the BLITZ fundraising effort that Thornwell’s alumni have spearheaded for the past two years. What was just a spark of an idea became a flame of innovation, and is now a wildfire of Thornwell passion!

In 2010, the BLITZ operated almost solely on Facebook and raised a shocking $50,000. This success spurred a second BLITZ effort in 2011 that sought to go beyond an online campaign. Rising to the occasion, alumni and volunteers went to work sharing the challenge with The Thornwell Alumni Association, foundations, churches, corporations, private companies and individuals.

Advocates for the Home hosted fundraising social events, held garage sales, coordinated tailgate parties, launched email campaigns, facilitated company and individual matching programs, filled donation jars at their work and used our best tool of all, word-of-mouth.  With commitment and enthusiasm from everyone, the flow of fundraising creativity started manifesting in the growing BLITZ balance. 

One sponsor, Mike Roadancer, sought to gain even more supporters, and so he started a fundraising initiative modeled after other notable charity campaigns. He challenged his friends to donate to the cause by offering to shave his head if the BLITZ met the goal. In January 2012, Roadancer honored the bargain by going bald in support of Thornwell. J

Efforts like these and the many others involved with the BLITZ paid off (literally!) with hundreds of people, organizations, and companies joining the cause. With everyone’s help and sacrifice this year, the BLITZ raised just over $100,000 to help with feeding, clothing, educating and nurturing the kids that call Thornwell their home. Wow!

Thank you to all our dedicated and passionate supporters who used the BLITZ not only to raise much-needed funds for the children in our care, but also as a catalyst for sharing about this life-saving ministry. We are truly grateful for you enthusiasm and ongoing partnership. You ROCK!

Happy New Year! December simply flew by with all the fun outings and festive happenings. Among the most memorable events for the residents at Thornwell was the Newberry Rotary Club’s annual Christmas Party – a tradition more than 30 years old. Twenty-five Thornwell children traveled to Newberry and were escorted into town by local police – what a welcome!

Rotary Club members had purchased gifts for the kids and Santa handed out the presents along with a candy cane for each child. Afterward, he invited the children to sit on his knee and tell him what they each wanted for Christmas. Most of the boys asked Santa for Clemson or Carolina paraphernalia. One young boy said, “Santa, I want Clemson for Christmas.” Realizing that Santa needed further clarification, he added, “ANYTHING Clemson!”

For lunch, the Rotary Club served pizza, chips, soda and homemade cookies (the children loved the cookies!). And to set the jovial mood, local college students sang Christmas carols - the kids had a blast interacting with them. The children spent the rest of the afternoon visiting with Rotary Club members and playing with the toys they had received.

Once again, the Newberry Rotary party was a hit! The Thornwell kids made sure to thank their hosts for the fun afternoon before returning to Clinton. If you want to see more photos from the party, visit our photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/thornwellhome/6545071245/in/photostream. To learn more about Thornwell Home for Children, please visit www.thornwell.org.

Tasha Lambert (Alumni class of ’89) coordinated a Clemson-Carolina Tailgating for Thornwell fundraiser on Saturday which brought in about $80/hr for a toal of $250. Event volunteers included Tammy Simpson (Class of ’81), Tammy’s daughter, Kelli and Krysten Simpson, Jamie Seymore (Class of ’89) and Teresa and Mike Deitz, along with Tasha, all supporting and talking about Thornwell Home for Children in Clinton, SC.

Tasha’s goal was to let folks in Columbia know about Thornwell and the good work it is doing to change the future of abused, abandoned, and neglected children. She said many visitors to the tent were not aware that South Carolina had a place like Thornwell that provides a real home environment for hurting kids and strives to reunite the family whenever possible. It’s not institutional; it’s a family-style living experience that models healthy habits and motivates kids.
 
“I am very happy with how the event went. We raised $250 which covers a week’s worth of food for a cottage!!” exclaims Tasha. “In addition to those were able to make it out to our tent,  I have had several folks who could not be there say they will make a donation online to support our efforts.” Thornwell has already seen several more gifts come in through the website.

A dedicated advocate for Thornwell, Tasha initiates and assists with fundraisers throughout the year. “I feel like if I can help raise awareness and money in different ways, you never know who we may reach,” she says. Tasha plans to do a similar event in the spring at a NASCAR race.

Funds raised for the event go to the general fund to support all aspects of caring for children at Thornwell. Right now, one of the biggest capital needs is to replace the bathrooms in the middle school boys’ cottage, Georgia-Beatie. The project is estimated at $40,000 above the planned budget, so any and all donations are appreciated.

“We are grateful for Tasha’s enthusiasm and commitment to helping Thornwell,” commented Thornwell’s president, The Rev. Elliot M. Smith. Tasha has been volunteering for her alma mater since graduating in 1989.

For more information about Thornwell Home for Children, please visit www.thornwell.org. You can also follow us at http://twitter.com/Thornwell_Home or like us at www.facebook.com/ThornwellHome.

In addition to the 78 children currently in residential care at Thornwell Home for Children, on November 18, 2011, 140 more children flooded the campus to experience Baby Animal Day. Squeals of excitement and exclamations of surprise could be heard from all around Thornwell’s farm on Friday as kids learned about and petted the animals.

Kindergarteners shrieked as the baby cow let out a welcoming moo, and others giggled as the donkey replied with a raspy hee-haw. Once again, Thornwell opened up its campus to young students from all over the county.

To raise money to support operations on the Thornwell farm, the local 4-H club supervised by Melanie Birchmore, hosts Baby Animal Day. Schools pay $2 per child to visit information stations and hear about the different animals from knowledgeable 4-H students. Proceeds from Baby Animal Day help pay for feed, hay, and other necessities for the animals and facilities.

Lines of children filed from one animal station to another, as the kids chattered about what they had just witnessed and what they might see next. A group of eager kindergarteners gathered around a baby cow to listen to one of the high school students tell them all about products humans get from cows, like milk and cheese. “Ice Cream!” a little girl called out when asked what other things the kids could think of that cows produce. Her classmates cheered for her answer before chiming in with their own.

Birchmore, an Agricultural Science teacher from District 55 who oversees the local 4-H program, has partnered with Thornwell for five years. She focuses on teaching her students practical information about agriculture and farm animals with a hands-on approach. “She does an amazing job, and Baby Animal Day has been a huge hit with the county’s schools,” commented Norman Dover, director of the Learning Center at Thornwell.

The farm and animals are cared for by 4-H students who feed, water, sheer, trim, and vaccinate the animals. Each year, the students conduct special projects where they raise an animal, show it, and sometimes process its meat. For pigs, sponsors help provide funds to care for the animals and receive the meat at the end of the season.

You can view more photos of Baby Animal Day in Thornwell’s Flickr album and for more information about Baby Animal Day or sponsoring 4-H, please contact Melanie Birchmore at mbirchmore@hotmail.com. To learn more about Thornwell Home for Children, please visit www.thornwell.org.

The Middle School Youth of First Presbyterian Chuch in Clinton have become “Friends for Thornwell.”  Organized by Amanda Charles and the other teachers of the Wednesday Night Live Class, this group first met the Stewart Cottage family on September 27 when they used their class time to visit the children and family teachers there.  They learned about the history and purpose of Thornwell and spent time playing with the seven children in the cottage. It was unanimously agreed that they would “sponsor” the Stewart Cottage as a mission project this year.

On October 19, the group joined the Stewart Cottage family for dinner and fun.  Armed with pizzas, pumpkins, and personalized trick-or-treat buckets, the 20 youth and their leaders set about for fun and adventure. Following a pizza dinner, the First Pres group assisted the preschoolers in painting pumpkins (with paint pens) which provided great entertainment.  

The young children also enjoyed showing and sharing toys with the older youth.  Family Teacher Greg Humphrey’s says “It was a memorable evening for all of us.  What a really special group of kids!  Our children had a wonderful time and have already asked us when they will be coming again.” 

Youth Leader, Amanda agreed, “Our kids had a blast and so did Stewart!! We can’t wait till December when we see them again.” Before returning to the church, the students presented the family teachers with a Bi-Lo gift card and a monetary gift.

Thornwell is so thankful for partnerships like this one that engage our children and help provide for their needs. We look forward to fostering this relationship even more in the months and years to come!

On Tuesday, September 20, 2011, a luncheon was held to honor Ms. Doris Straight and her sixteen years of dedicated service to Thornwell’s children. Doris began her career as a cottage parent and later became a certified Family Teacher.

She was instrumental in helping to establish Thornwell’s Independent Living Program, and for the last 3 years has served as the administrative assistant to the president. Doris has touched countless numbers of Thornwell children, many of whom are now adults with families of their own who credit her love and support for who they are today.

“If I had to choose only two words to describe Doris’ career here at Thornwell, they would have to be ‘dependable’ and ‘flexible,’” said Thornwell’s VP of Programs, Lindy Scott. “Doris has always been a person we can count on to jump in and do whatever is needed. Everything she does, she does well. We will miss you, Doris. You mean as much to each of us personally as you have meant to this ministry for the past sixteen years.”

As Doris departs to spend a well-earned retirement with her children and grandchildren, we give thanks to God for her and the capable and efficient manner in which she faithfully carried out her many duties over the years!

On September 18, 2011, during the worship service held at First Presbyterian Church, Clinton, SC, the Rev. Dr. Wain Wesberry introduced the Rev. Elliot M. Smith to the congregation as Thornwell’s new president. He asked those gathered to commit to supporting Rev. Smith’s call with their friendship, fellowship and prayers.

“Elliot has been called by God to lead Thornwell and to love Thornwell’s children. We are thankful to God for leading Elliot and his wife, Jill, to serve as ministers in our community,” said Dr. Wesberry.

Following the opening prayer, Thornwell resident Marissa Strickland gave the Minute for Mission. She shared with the crowd the many ways that Thornwell has changed her life since she arrived with her siblings to the campus in 2004.

“When I first came to Thornwell I was confused and angry and didn’t understand why I had to leave home,” said Marissa. “But since then I have learned that Thornwell is the best place for me and my brother and sister. Without Thornwell I would not have had the opportunity to go to college or had a chance to grow in so many ways physically, mentally and spiritually. As a freshman at Presbyterian College, I became a follower of Christ. I am so thankful for the Family Teachers and people at Thornwell who care for me and for all the kids who live there. Thornwell is our home.”

At the conclusion of the worship service, Rev. Smith shared with everyone his vision for Thornwell’s ministry and an invitation for both ministries to renew their commitments to each other as mutual-ministers to the people of Laurens County.

“I thank you for your kind words of welcome,” said Rev. Smith. “And I invite you all to join with us in mutual-ministry to keep the promises we all made in baptism, and to ask the question ‘What If?’ What if we worked together to provide foster homes for children in our community? What if together we created a program that would provide education, job training and child care for single mothers? What if we worked together to expand the missions and the ministries that Dr. Jacobs began over 130 years ago? What if, indeed!”

The Rev. Smith concluded by inviting everyone to come to campus, take a tour and become involved in the work that God is doing at Thornwell to offer hope and change the lives of the children who live there.

Following the service, a reception was held in the church courtyard to welcome Rev. Smith and his wife, Jill, to the community.

On October 1, 2011, Thornwell will begin its 137th year of ministry as a joyful Christian community offering hope and wholeness to children in need and their families. Thornwell Home for Children is an independent ministry in covenant relationship with the Synod of the South Atlantic of the Presbyterian Church (USA), which includes congregations across South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

On Saturday, August 27, our Thornwell cottage families and many staff members traveled to Lake Murray in Irmo, SC, at the invitation of Captain Mike Kirk and the Lake Murray Power Squadron (LMPS). In addition to being an active member in the LMPS, Mike is the Captain of the Southern Patriot, a 65-foot double deck cruise boat owned by Lake Murray Tours, Inc. Each year, the captains of the Southern Patriot receive the benefit of a two-hour tour for their own personal use.

“We [the members of the LMPS] wanted to do a service project that involved helping children, so I decided to donate my two-hour cruise and share the Southern Patriot and Lake Murray with the children of Thornwell,” said Captain Mike.

After more than a month of planning, Captain Mike and the LMPS crew greeted our Thornwell children and staff at the Lake Murray Marina and welcomed them aboard the Southern Patriot for lunch and a cruise around the lake. Many of the children even had the chance to try their hand at the helm!

“The kids had a great time,” said Thornwell VP of Programs, Lindy Scott. “They sang and danced and thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon ride on the Southern Patriot. I don’t think many of our children have been on a boat this large, much less had the opportunity to be ‘captain!’”

Our Thornwell family is grateful to Captain Mike, the Lake Murray Power Squadron, Lake Murray Tours, Inc., BI-LO of Chapin, SC and all the volunteers that took time-out on such a beautiful Saturday to host the cruise and spend time with us.

The Lake Murray Power Squadron is a non-profit boating organization serving central South Carolina. Their three-part mission includes the promotion of boating safety through education, civic service, and the enjoyment of boating (power and sail) activities and social functions among its membership. To learn more, visit their website at www.lmpsonline.org.

If you would like to know more about the Southern Patriot and how to book your two-hour summer tour of Lake Murray, visit www.lakemurraytours.com.