Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 29

MADDIE WILLIAMS MADWILLIAMS727

JEFF TINDALL

‹

From left, Marissa Gifford and
Melissa Hans load the Red Door
Food Pantry truck. The mobile
food pantry in Cartersville
received a first-round grant.

‹

Trevor Lawrence and Marissa Mowry took their
engagement photos at Memorial Stadium in Clemson,
S.C., last July.

" Jennifer told me that Trevor and Marissa were interested in how the
foundation could assist them in raising money to serve individuals and
families affected by the pandemic and also help them direct those funds
to reputable charities, " Aft says. " My staff and I were honored to help these
young philanthropists with their mission. "
Within 24 hours, the foundation launched the Trevor Lawrence and
Marissa Mowry COVID-19 Relief Fund to raise money to provide food
assistance to families in Bartow County and two communities in upstate
South Carolina.
" Marissa and I created the fund to help our friends and neighbors in
the Cartersville, Clemson and Anderson communities deal with some of
the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 situation-specifically hunger, " Lawrence says. " We invited
others [connected to us on social media] to join us in supporting the many families in need. These are challenging
times, and no one should be left behind. "
After his invitation on social media, online donations ranging from $5 to thousands of dollars poured into
the fund from around the country. In July, the couple
awarded $22,000 in first-round grants to charitable
organizations that provide food assistance in those three
geographic areas.
" We believe as Christians [that] it is our responsibility to love and serve those around us, especially during
this pandemic, " Lawrence says.
The couple's kindness and charity didn't surprise
those who had watched them grow up in Cartersville.
Mowry played soccer and volunteered in the community through school programs and her family's church.
Lawrence excelled at basketball, baseball and
football during his youth but always made time to participate in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Tabernacle Baptist Church functions
and mission work. He played football for Cartersville High School's Purple
Hurricanes (or " Canes, " as locals call the athletic teams) and quickly drew
frenzied attention from college recruiters.
Lawrence earned the starting quarterback job for the Clemson Tigers
midway through his freshman season, then led the team to an undefeated
season that ended with a victory in the 2019 national championship game.
He likely will be the No. 1 pick in this year's NFL draft.
" They did not launch [their campaign] to get attention, " says Amanda
Lawrence, the quarterback's mother. " Wanting to help others is just who
they are as individuals. Faced with an opportunity to make a difference
in the lives of others, they figured out a way to make it happen. I will not
be surprised to see a Lawrence Foundation birthed after they marry, with
many outreaching arms to help those in need. "
The couple continue to walk the path of discovering how they can best
use their voice, platform and influence to lift up others-to be " a light to
people, " as Lawrence describes it.
" To everyone who has helped us, thank you all for your generosity and
love, " Mowry says. " We encourage you to get involved in or give to charities
serving your own communities-give them hope. Every act and every
dollar make a difference. "
Amber Lanier Nagle is a freelance writer in Adairsville.
The Trevor Lawrence and Marissa Mowry COVID-19 Relief Fund still is accepting
donations at communityfoundationnwga.org/lawrence-mowry-fund.
www.georgiamagazine.org

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Georgia Magazine - January 2021

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