Retired minister spreads love and laughter

   Some guys like to spend their retirement just fishing. Not Dr. Lamar Holley. When Holley retired as Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville two years ago, his friends Jim and Peggy Freeman invited him and his wife Jean to accompany them on a trip to Moldova. Holley was touched by the extreme poverty of this country, and especially by the plight of the children. It was this experience that provided inspiration for what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Two years ago this month, he created KidStuff to bring love and laughter into the lives of children around the world.

   While KidStuff now provides continuing medication treatment programs for children in a Moldovan orphanage, and assists with various refugee programs, most of the world it reaches at the moment is right here at home.

   Michelle Mason, president of the Gwinnett Adoptive and Foster Parents Association said, “KidStuff spent $700 to send 40 Gwinnett foster families to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus when it was in town.” Holley’s organization also provides foster families with Braves tickets, Kroger gift certificates and assistance in emergency situations.

   Gwinnett Children’s Shelter is another local organization on the list for these spreaders of love and laughter. KidStuff provided sports equipment to the shelter and landscaped the grounds in partnership with Ruppert Nurseries in Lilburn.

   Giving time and talent to children can be very rewarding, but the joy is even greater when the spirit starts to spread.

   “What brings us the greatest delight is when we are privileged to see one child reaching out to show kindness to another. One of our little friends, Gray Stephenson, did just that,” said Holley.

   Six-year-old Gray told his mother he wanted to use money he’d earned to pay for another child to go to Build-A-Bear. At that time Holley was ministering to a family who’d just lost a two-year-old child to a terminal disease. KidStuff connected the two families. They went out to dinner together and afterward, Gray imparted love and laughter to the grieving couple’s four-year-old daughter as the two of them stuffed Build-A-Bears together.

   While spending his retirement in a whole new ministry, reaching around the world and around the corner to help children in any way he can, Holley does find at least a little time to fish. Twice a year, in cooperation with Sosebee Auto Supply Company in Lawrenceville, Holley takes dozens of autistic children and their families fishing.

   For more information, or to help spread love and laughter, call 770-237-2877 or e-mail lamarholley@kidstuff-USA.org

042808

Archive