Caring for Kids

The children are the future. As parents, we try our hardest to always be there for our kids, to nurture them, to care for them—but, what if we can’t? That’s when Lowcountry Orphan Relief (LOR) steps in. 

Started in 2003 as a one-woman show, Lowcountry Orphan Relief is the brainchild of Lynn Young, a Charleston mother of five who saw a gap in the local child welfare program and dedicated her time to fill it. 

Starting with emergency care kits—packages containing the essentials and designed to be given to children in the foster care system who often enter with nothing but the clothes on their backs—Young’s work has only grown from there. Becoming an official nonprofit in 2007, Lowcountry Orphan Relief has since served over sixty thousand kids. 

How has it evolved? While LOR participates and aids in a variety of areas, they have three primary avenues of support: Care Kits, Just In Case Closets, and Children’s Events.

Care Kits still serve the same purpose as they did back in Lowcountry Orphan Relief’s early years, but over time have been fine-tuned to near perfection. Containing two weeks’ worth of clothes, shoes, toiletries, school supplies, and personal items like stuffed animals, the Care Kits not only cover the necessities; they help children feel loved.

Just in Case Closets are similar. Working with over 80 Title I schools, Lowcountry Orphan Relief assembles collections of emergency clothing. Shirts, pants, socks, underwear, and toiletries allow teachers to respond quickly and discreetly to urgent situations, or help outfit students over longer periods of time. Elementary through high schools, all across the Lowcountry, are better equipped to serve their scholars thanks to LOR.

Finally, Lowcountry Orphan Relief takes care of the fun. Laughter is the best medicine and with children’s events like Make A Child Happy Day or Soaked in Smiles, LOR spreads it far and wide. Artsy activities, carnival rides, games, and more, these festivities are the perfect environment for families to make long-lasting memories. 

In its 23 years of operation, Lowcountry Orphan Relief has come a long way, but Lynn Young’s goals remain the same: make children happy, holistically.

By donating your time, money, or Care Kit items, you too can spread smiles across your hometown. Visit lowcountryorphanrelief.org to make a difference today.

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