Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

Last weekend I saw a beautiful toddler having an ice cream cone.  He was so happy and excited!  And then all of a sudden, he started to scream, shoved his cone at his mother, and grabbed his face.  Of course, the ice cream that had dripped on his hands now smeared his face; he was quite a mess!  It seemed obvious to me that he had a sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia – a scientific term for “brain freeze.”  I could feel his pain, as could his mother.  She soothed him with her words, wiped his face and hands with a napkin, and soon the sobbing stopped, and he wanted his cone again.  I couldn’t help but laugh.

It has been a long time since I’ve had that kind of brain freeze.  But, more recently, I’ve been known to have a different type. 

As the CEO of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, I have many opportunities to be involved in problem-solving, or to creatively consider strategies to move the Foundation forward.  Actually, these are among my favorite tasks (just like ice cream is my favorite treat).  But there are times when, just like the toddler, I feel like I’m having a “brain freeze.”  My mind goes blank.  I’ve lost the thought I had just two minutes ago.  Or there is an idea hanging out there on the fringes somewhere, but I can’t quite grasp it.  Or worse, I’m dealing with the pain of no idea at all.

The good news is that I have the singular privilege of working with the best staff anywhere.  When I’m sitting at my desk, trying hard not to scream, imagining ice cream smeared on my face, I can have a great conversation with any of my staff members.   First, they don’t often laugh at the mess I’ve made of myself.  They are bright, mission-driven people who will share their thoughts, offer great advice, provide a historical or cultural perspective, and essentially offer up the napkin I need at the moment.  If you haven’t met these wonderful people, you should:     

            Carolyn Torgersen, VP for Marketing and Communications

            Cindy Smith, VP for Grantmaking and Community Leadership

            Emmy Rooney, VP for Development and Donor Services

            Anita Miles, Administrative Assistant

            Carl Conklin, VP for Finance and Administration

            Mary Stuart Alderman, Donor Services Associate

And if you ever get “brain freeze,” I can guarantee that any of these people would be more than willing to assist.  It is what they do on a daily basis.  It is part of the everyday matters that is an understood, if not written, part of their job descriptions.  And because of them, the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is able to make every DAY matter.

Denise K. Spencer

The Fourth of July brings with it thoughts of many things; from picnics to pyrotechnics, from Minute Men to military memorials, from flags to freedom, from revolution to rights.

This year, I began thinking about the vision that our Founding Fathers had for this new, independent, sovereign nation.  Obviously, being governed without representation was one of the major issues that led to the political upheaval that was the American Revolution.  Once the Constitution and Bill of Rights were ratified, they guaranteed many of the personal and civil liberties that were also a part of the justification of the revolution.

Would the patriots of those early days feel that their vision came to be if they were to look at American life today?  They knew that with rights come responsibility, both to preserve the independence of our nation and the rights of our countrymen.  And the responsibility was not the realm of the military and the government only, it belonged to us all.

“Give to every other human being every right that you claim for yourself,” noted Robert G. Ingersoll.  So, beyond the service of those in the military, and those who are elected officials, what should be the role of the REST OF US in preserving such rights?  Obviously we need stay informed, and to vote.  But many of our fellow citizens do not have the means to stay informed, or the luxury of the time to do so, as they are searching for their next meal or shelter or job.  For too many, illiteracy is still a block to their ability to exercise their rights or to pursue happiness through self-sufficiency.

For the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, in spite of all the help provided each grant cycle to the many nonprofits that are on the front lines of the war on poverty, illiteracy, disease, etc., there is never enough money to meet all the needs.  To those of you who support our Touch Tomorrow program, which increases the grant dollars we are able to use for these growing concerns, we offer our sincere gratitude.  And to those of you who do not yet support this program, but who are looking for a way to help, please consider offering your financial support to our work.  Every dollar matters in supporting our fellow citizens.  And every citizen matters in advancing the democratic way of life.  And every day matters in assuring that those who struggle do not lose hope for a life of self-sufficiency and independence.

Denise K. Spencer