Hero Partner Spotlight: Laci Gurganus
When Laci Gurganus graduated from college in May of this year and shortly after she began her first job, she did something you don’t hear a lot of 22-year-olds talk about doing: research to find a charitable organization to give to on a recurring, monthly basis. After talking it over with her mom and doing some research on her own, she settled on providing a monthly gift to the Children’s Homes.
“I saw what she [her mom] was giving and went off of that and decided to give to some of the same organizations and some different ones too. That’s just a big part of my home life, giving back and being a good steward of your money,” Laci says.
What’s Your Role?
Growing up Baptist, Laci was already a little familiar with Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes (ABCH), as she had heard ABCH development officers speak at her church a couple of times before. While browsing our website, she was delighted to discover the Hero Partners program with an auto-draft giving option, as well as volunteer opportunities.
“I was on the website to start my monthly donation, and then I saw where you can volunteer . . . My job [at church] has always been either teaching a kids class, helping with VBS, or helping with the nursery. That’s been my role,” she explains.
Since Laci has always been involved in church working with children, volunteering to be a foster family babysitter and Family Care volunteer especially piqued her interest. She recently completed her volunteer training and is ready for that first call to get involved in helping our families!
Volunteers with a happy heart for the Lord and for loving children are a vital component to the success of our ministry. When asked what she hopes her impact will be by volunteering her time in these ways, she shared, “What I hope to accomplish . . . is give them the opportunity to just be kids . . . provide just a happy, joyous atmosphere.”
Being a Good Steward
Laci says volunteering and giving financially on a consistent, monthly basis is important to her because the Lord has called us to be good stewards of the gifts He has given us (1 Peter 4:10). She wants to be sure she is being a good steward of both her time and money.
“It’s important to me because I think that the way you spend your money can be a really strong reflection of your heart.” She continues, “Especially when we as Christians want to make sure our actions are really reflecting what we believe, one place to look at that is to see if [the way you spend] your money reflects what you believe.”
Knowing that not being able to give a large amount sometimes deters individuals from giving anything at all, Laci encourages people to, “Start small. You don’t have to have a huge donation each month to make an impact. Whatever your financial situation is, the Lord wants you to honor Him in that, and that’s not a quantity thing. He just wants to know that your heart is in the right place, and you’re willing to honor Him with your money . . . It really comes down to where your heart is,” she concludes (Mark 12:41–44).
You can learn more about becoming a Hero Partner by making a recurring, monthly gift or about volunteering at an ABCH location closest to you.