Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Wallace.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey to becoming Executive Director of Lowcountry Orphan Relief has been shaped by more than two decades of experience in leadership, nonprofit service, and communications and, more importantly, by a passion for supporting children and strengthening communities.
I began my career in broadcast journalism as a television news producer, but over time, I felt a pull toward work that allowed me to serve more directly. That shift led me into ministry roles. One of the most formative chapters in my life was serving as a missionary and program director in Guatemala. There, we helped raise more than $220,000 to support local students, established a scholarship fund, and launched a feeding program during COVID. I also partnered with Blackbaud to provide students with laptops, tools that opened new doors for their futures.
After returning to Charleston, I served as Children’s Minister at First Baptist Church, leading a team of volunteers and developing programs that reached hundreds of children and families. In 2023, I joined Lowcountry Orphan Relief as Executive Director, where I now have the privilege of leading an organization that shares my heart for serving children in crisis. Every day, I’m inspired by the impact we can make when a community comes together to say: you are seen, you are loved, and you matter.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road, but I think that’s true for most people who feel called to serve in a meaningful way. One of the biggest challenges for me was stepping away from a more traditional career path to follow a deeper sense of purpose. Leaving behind stability and predictability to move my family to Guatemala was a huge leap of faith. Raising funds to support our work, building programs from the ground up, and navigating language and cultural barriers stretched me in ways I never expected, but it also shaped me in the best ways.
Even after returning to the U.S., balancing the demands of family, ministry, and leadership has come with seasons of overwhelm and doubt. But each challenge has helped refine my leadership style, deepen my empathy, and strengthen my belief in the importance of this work. The road hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been full of growth, meaning, and so many reminders that even the hardest moments are part of something bigger.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Lowcountry Orphan Relief?
At Lowcountry Orphan Relief, we exist to meet the needs of children in our community who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. What we do is very simple but incredibly impactful. We provide Care Kits filled with clothing, toiletries, school supplies, books, and comfort items to children who often arrive in foster care or emergency placements with nothing.
We specialize in responding quickly and compassionately. Our strength lies in the immediacy of our support—children receive what they need within 48 hours of a request, thanks to the work of our volunteers, staff, and community partners. That responsiveness, combined with the thoughtfulness behind each kit, is what truly sets us apart.
We’re known for caring deeply and serving practically. Each Care Kit is more than just a bag of supplies, it’s a message to a child that they are seen, valued, and not alone. What I’m most proud of is that everything we do is built around restoring a child’s sense of worth and hope in the middle of crisis.
We want people to know that they can be part of that mission whether by volunteering, donating, hosting a drive, or simply spreading the word. Every small action adds up to something life-changing for a child who just needs to know someone cares.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
One of the most important resources in my life is the Bible. It gives me guidance, encouragement, and perspective—especially on the hard days. Leading a nonprofit that serves children in crisis can be emotionally heavy at times, and I often turn to scripture for strength and direction. Verses like Micah 6:8 remind me what’s at the heart of this work: “to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lowcountryorphanrelief.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lowcountryorphanrelief
