Global Community Impact Award
2014 Finalist
The Lingap Children’s Foundation
Richmond Brothers, Inc.
Fidelity Investments
For 11 years, Dave Richmond, partner with Richmond Brothers Inc. in Jackson, Mich., provided stateside financial support for the Lingap Children’s Foundation. The group serves children in Toledo City, Cebu, Philippines who are victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment.
In 2006, he was given an invitation he couldn’t refuse. The organization’s founder, John Drake, said to him, “You guys have helped us for so long — why not come see what we do?”
“I don’t know why, but I said yes,” Mr. Richmond said. “The experience opened my eyes to what poverty is.”
He has since gone back 25 times to the Philippines and is now the second-in-command for the charity.
The foundation, established in 2003, provides housing for 100 poor children and funds their education and vocational training, and reaches out to thousands more with food, education and home visits.
“Through my work with LCF, I have been shown what love is: sometimes it’s giving and sometimes it’s just being in the moment with another human being,” he said.
Mr. Richmond acknowledges it can be daunting to travel to faraway countries and confront their suffering.
“Let yourself feel it — take the chance — say yes. See where that journey will lead you.”