They have hosted bake sales, spaghetti lunches, and car washes to bring in as much support as possible for those in need in Africa. About a week ago, Thornwell kids hosted a two-day bake sale and raised $611 for the ASAH cause. With the Farrell Fund doubling their efforts, that is $1,222 going to help orphans in a country an ocean away from Thornwell’s campus.

That is the reach the love of these children in our care. We expect to love on them and they turn around and spread that love out to all the world. Talk about inspiration!

Berkele Cottage Family Teachers always try to make birthdays a big deal. Each girl writes a birthday wish list before her big day.

“It is so much fun and with the sponsorship changes over the last year, we’ve really been able to help them get things that are meaningful and useful to them,” said Bethany Collins, Berkele Family Teacher. “Plus, it makes it fair and even across the board for all the kids.”

The cottage is usually decorated with banners and balloons, and the family has a special breakfast or dinner according to the birthday’s girl’s request – and of course there is always a cake! “We make it a point to all be around for cake and ice cream and singing happy birthday and to watch them open presents,” added Bethany.

Because each girl is different and has her own interests and personality, their birthday celebrations are just as varied. There has been a prom-themed Sweet 16 party, an outing to Carowinds, and even a cheerleading party. One year, one of the girls who has a fall birthday asked for a spooky trail, so the TPH Cottage boys hid in the bushes on the way to the Thornwell lake house. As the girls walked down the path to the bonfire to make s’mores, screams could be heard all the way down the gravel road.

This year, one of the Berkele girls, Mikayla, was able to participate in the Color Run in Columbia, SC. Her Family Teacher when she lived in Sarah’s Cottage, Joyful Brown, had told her about the run last year and she decided she would like to go this year. Three Thornwell staff members, including Bethany and Joyful, joined her on the Color Run along with three of her closest friends. They all had a blast! See the photo on the right.

To sponsor a cottage at Thornwell, please click here for details. You can also contact Chandra Coleman at chandra.coleman@thornwell.org or call 864-938-2700.

There are still thousands of seedlings for sale with close to 50 varieties of organic and generic vegetables to choose from. Click here to see our inventory list.

But this is more than just a plant sale – it’s a fundraiser! While you peruse the assortment of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, melons, kale, spinach, okra, cucumber, squash, beans and several others, you even can get your car washed – all for a great cause.

The Plant Sale is part of an effort to support cottage-based garden sites that provide fresh and healthy food for the cottage families. The Thornwell children have loved getting their “hands dirty” planting and cultivating the plants and learning about greener living. The whole process has been an amazing educational opportunity for the cottage families in home-based vegetable production.

For more information, contact Rob Gallagher at 864-547-1500.

On Saturday, March 23^rd from 9am-3pm (rain or shine), Thornwell is hosting a Plant Sale on campus just in front of the Dining Hall next to the Home of Peace. There are approximately 5,000 seedlings ready for sale with close to 50 varieties of organic and generic vegetables to choose from.

The Plant Sale is part of an effort to support cottage-based garden sites that provide fresh and healthy food for the cottage families. The Thornwell children have loved getting their “hands dirty” planting and cultivating the plants and learning about greener living. The whole process has been an amazing educational opportunity for the cottage families in home-based vegetable production.

But this is more than just a plant sale – it’s a fun family event! The 2013 Seedlings of Thornwell committee has been hard at work not only preparing and maintaining the plants for the March 23^rd event, but also planning a host of fun things to do while you’re there.

And while you peruse the assortment of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, melons, kale, spinach, okra, cucumber, squash, beans and several others, you can enjoy the sounds of live music provided by local musician, Hunter Holmes. Additionally, there will be baked goods and BBQ for sale, and lots of activities for the kids including corn hole, petting zoo, face painting and more!

To check out our inventory, click here. And download our flyer here. Don’t miss a fun afternoon! For more information, contact Rob Gallagher at 864-547-1500.

Canned food was gathered in support of donors’ favorite Super Bowl teams, either the Ravens or the 49ers, but that wasn’t the only rivalry. Thornwell staff departments also engaged in friendly competition between Children & Family Ministries (CFM) and Advancement & Administration. With two boxes in each staff building, one for each team, cans began rolling in to support favorite teams and departments.

Thornwell youth group and their 2013 collection of food and canned items.

The final tally was 142 cans from CFM and 140 from Advancement/Admin – that was close! The Ravens also eeked out a victory with 157 cans over the 49ers with 125 cans. In all, the Thornwell youth group collected 945 items of food and $383 for United Ministries and Laurens Cluster food banks!

To see Thornwell’s “Souper Bowl of Caring” profile and photos, click here.

As a testament to the impact that a group of like-minded people working together can have, the BLITZ is the sum result of many individual gifts. At its core, the BLITZ is a $10 donation campaign on Facebook. Friends ask friends to give just $10 to Thornwell and ask their friends, family members and coworkers to do the same. The combined impact of all of those gifts is exponential.

And the answer is…YES!

Leading the effort, David Rivers, Thornwell Board of Visitors member and Thornwell alumnus, challenged fellow alumni and supporters to take the BLITZ campaign beyond Facebook.  Rising to the occasion, volunteers went to work sharing the challenge with The Thornwell Alumni Association, foundations, churches, corporations, private companies and individuals.

In 2012, BLITZ advocates for Thornwell 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 one of the best tools of all, word-of-mouth.

In its first year, the BLITZ raised approximately $50,000 to benefit Thornwell. The following year, the results doubled bringing in over $100,000 for the ministry in 2011. And now the 2012 BLITZ has broken even that record with almost $110,000 in donations for the children at Thornwell.

The annual BLITZ gives volunteers, alumni, and supporters a catalyst for sharing about the life-saving work Thornwell does for children in SC, GA and FL. It provides a conduit for others to tell their stories and become involved in their own way.  With everyone’s help and sacrifice this year, the BLITZ raised vital funds to help with feeding, clothing, educating and nurturing the kids that call Thornwell their home!

For a designated number of hours a day or even a whole day, everyone in the cottage is not allowed to use any electronics. It forces kids to entertain themselves in creative ways, interact with one another and their Family Teachers (FTs), and use their imaginations.

“We are always impressed with the creativity that comes out of unplugged days,” says Thornwell FT, Stephanie Gruber. “And, when it’s nice out they tend to get good exercise.”

Unplugged days are a way that cottage families can take a step back from the culture and reconnect. Some of the best ideas, conversations and memories come from these electronic-free times. Just check out the Lego battlefield the boys at Georgia-Beatie Cottage created (see photo on left)!

1. The more than 150 children whom God has placed in Thornwell’s care this year.
2. A caring and committed staff in every area of Thornwell’s ministry.
3. A high quality program of care that ministers to the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of each child.
4. The individuals, businesses, foundations, church congregations and groups that have helped us keep the promises of Baptism.
5. You! By God’s grace and your prayers and financial support, you have brought hope, healing and wholeness to children in need and their families.

With Gratitude to God for You,
Elliot
The Rev. Elliot M. Smith
President
Thornwell Home for Children

Thornwell is named for Dr. James Thornwell, a theologian who mentored the young William Jacobs in his pastoral call.  On December 10, 1912 Dr. Jacobs commemorated the birthday of Dr. Thornwell, noting that, “I earnestly hope that the second Centennial of Dr. Thornwell’s birth, December 9th, 2012 will be observed under even more delightful circumstances. But none of us will be there to see.”

December 1, 2012 was chosen as the day to honor Dr. Jacobs’ commemoration of Dr. Thornwell’s 100^th birthday with a celebration of its 200^th anniversary which occurs this Sunday, December 9, 2012.  The Walk of Faith reminded us that God has lighted Thornwell’s path for 137 years and faithfully maintained His ministry to hurting children.

Thornwell Home for Children belongs not so much to the Presbyterian Church or those who live and work here as it does to our Lord, Jesus Christ.   Jesus, who took time to minister to children, bless them and admonish those who would keep the children away from Him, loves our children even more than we do.  It is in His name that we work to provide a home for them that meets their physical needs, but also provides emotional healing, happy times, Christian nurture and love.

In that spirit, we hope for the Walk of Faith to be more than a one-day event.  We hope it is a call to prayer for Thornwell, past, present and future.

Please pray for the alumni, the many thousands of children, now of all ages, who lived here.  Pray that God will bless their path and make them a light to all those around them.

Please pray for the staff and children who are currently at Thornwell.  Pray that every day we remain focused on the needs of children and follow each step Jesus would have us take exactly.  Help us to have the same faith that Dr. Jacobs had that caused him to pray for every need, believing for an answer.

Please pray for the future of Thornwell.  Pray that the wonderful work of Thornwell that heals hurting children and teaches them to be wholesome family members can be brought to families in the communities where they live.  Please pray for both the future of the campus ministry and the community ministry.

Finally, please pray for all children everywhere who need a haven from abuse, neglect, exploitation and abandonment.  Pray for God to open hearts world-wide to children, so that those who cannot come to Thornwell will find a home that is safe, nurturing and permanent.

Just as God answered Dr. Jacobs’ prayers, He will answer those offered in faith for the children He loves so deeply.

At this season of light, may you experience the presence of the true Light that has overcome the darkness and may you be blessed.

Merry Christmas,

Louise Cooper, Vice President for Advancement