Wishful Wed ....Charity

'I wish' .... I had never-ending funds to donate to a charity and it would be the Mt. Dora Children's Home!

This holds a very special place in my heart because my great-grandparents had such a big role in making this place possible.  

This was way before I was born, but my Pa Pa had a debilitating stroke in the early 70's, and Memaw thought it would be best to move from Oklahoma to Orlando for the winter to be in a warmer climate.  They had extra time on their hands since they were retired and got involved with the Christian Home and Bible School through their local Church of Christ church.  

My great grandparents had a strong desire to help these boys and girls who came from troubled pasts, and God opening the door to this venue as a way to impact the lives of others.  My understanding is that Mr. Dora Christan Homes was started to find homes through adoption and foster care for sweet kiddos.  Then, my Memaw felt like the girls needed a place that they could live and be taught how to be raised as Godly women and funded "The Lugar Cottage!" and it was named after them.  My great grandmother thought it was essential for these young children to know what a healthy home is like and thought an environment like this would change their outlook on life.  And indeed, they grew up there as children should .... nurtured and safe.  

Mt. Dora Christian Homes has three inviting and loving homes, and each home has houseparents who live with their family and most often 8-10 additional children.  The staff is dedicated to promote their individual talents and provide the parental love and attention these children crave.  Also, the program maintains a network with Christian families in the area,  which allows them to offer every child a "home" through adoption and/or foster care if there isn't a space in residential care.  This year they are building an additional fourth home, which is the first new home for children to be built on campus in twenty-three years !!!!

Pa Pa lived to 97, and Memaw lived to 102.  

They were inspirational Christian examples, 

and I would love to carry on with the Lugar name!! 

NOW, this is where I get to share the most exciting thing about it all.  Right after meeting Gabe, it came up in passing that his mom was an elementary school principle at a Christian school outside Orlando.  Then, I heard Gabe mention a month later that the school was MT. DORA SCHOOL, and I almost died.  Of all schools in the entire country, Gabe's mom was the principle of the school association with Mt. Dora Christian Home and Bible School, which was on the same property as our "Lugar Cottage!!!"  Not many words can express what was going through my head, but it was just a God thing! :)

I was able to go visit the home that has raised hundreds of kids thanks to my great grandparents all because of my mother-in-law making it possible while I was visiting the family in Orlando.  I cannot express the joy as I walked up to the home ..... it was an emotional experience that left me speechless and in tears.

I would love to be able to continue where my great grandparents left off and donate to this place!!

What charity or cause would you choose to donate to?

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