Building a Legacy
Wray and Joan Pearce are making a tremendous impact for children and families. Like others who contribute in unique ways, the Pearce family takes hold of opportunities in front of them to serve with what God has entrusted to them.
We all have the opportunity to share what God has given us—whether it be our time, words of encouragement, or resources—with those around us. We see our donors and volunteers do this every day to impact lives of those in need.
A HISTORY OF GENEROSITY
In addition to the legacy we all are building for those we serve, it’s important to also ponder the legacy we’re building for future generations. Wray was initially taught about the importance of caring for children in need, in his home, growing up. He says, “My mom loved children and kept foster kids in our home when I was young . . . she was a very loving mother who set a wonderful example.”
Over the years, the Pearce family has continued that legacy by serving children in need in a variety of ways—from hosting them in their home, to submitting memorial gifts to ABCH in honor of friends, to serving as relief house parents at another organization, and the list goes on!
EMPATHIZED SERVICE
Both Wray and Joan are graduates of the University of Alabama (UA), and both worked hard to either help with or sustain their finances while in school through working and utilizing loans. After marrying their senior year at UA, the financial strains became especially burdensome.
Wray says, “We literally had no extra resources when we went to UA, and we could have used some help with college expenses . . . God has blessed our family and the financial success we have achieved is due to the Godly values instilled in us by our parents, our church, church teachers and leaders. The education we received at UA has provided us with the skills needed to have financial resources from which we can give to others.”
Because this couple remembers the trials they faced financially while in school, they have a special passion for giving to those who are in a similar situation today. The Pearce family has a special scholarship set up for children in our care who are accepted to UA, as a unique gift to those who work hard in their academics. “Funding a scholarship at UA to assist children in need is one way we can do what the Bible tells us to do, and we feel privileged to be able to do that,” Wray says.
WHAT GIFT CAN YOU BRING?
The Pearce family has given so generously in ways unique to them, and we’ve been encouraged by their faithfulness in serving. They’ve truly used what God has blessed them with and passed it on to those in need. “The Bible tells us to take care of widows and orphans and the needy. We have been blessed to be able to help others . . . The joy of giving is a wonderful reward,” says Wray.
How has God blessed you? In what ways could you give to those in need, and build a legacy for future generations?