Corbin's Gift

Corbin's Gift is a non-profit organization established to help children in the Horry County area to have a blessed Christmas.

Founded in 2007 to honor the memory of Corbin Tanner Bell

Several years ago I began to volunteer at my children's school. It was there I met Mrs. Kim Jordan, parent/student coordinator for Midland Elementary. I immediately loved Kim, not only for her bubbly attitude and her Christian faith, but for her kindness. Each year she was responsible for finding sponsors for the less fortunate children at our school during Christmas time. She treated each child as her own, speaking with them individually to find out what they most wanted from Santa, checking sizes of clothes and shoes, and making sure they felt loved. After making numerous calls, working long hours and having to do some last minute shopping for the children, it was time to deliver. She would always ask me if I wanted to go with her to "help". Little did she know, I was not "helping" her, she was helping me!

One of the worst fears for a parent that has lost a child is the thought of that child being forgotten by others. This has been a burden for me since the day Corbin died. In November of 2007, dreading our first Christmas without Corbin, I started to think of something I could do to spark the memory of those who had forgotten. I began to remember Kim and the joy giving meant not only to those families, but also to her. I wanted to feel that joy too! The name "Corbin's Gift" came to me instantly, as if God had whispered it in my ear. I knew right then what I had to do. It didn't come easy or without some setbacks, but with the help of my family, it all came together! That began...

Corbin's Gift 2007

Corbin's Gift 2007 raised $3,400 and sponsored nine children that year. Since this was a spur of the moment project, I didn't think to take any pictures that year. I did plan to be a little more organized in the years to come.

Corbin's Gift 2008

Corbin's Gift 2008 started off a little slow since the economy had been hard on us all!  I expected this. I knew that sponsoring nine children in 2007 was great, but my goal this year was twelve. I didn't want to set my goal to high because $1000 of 2007 came from two generous cash donations. I started to pray and ask God that if it was in his will for us to do this, that he would make it bigger than we ever thought. As I said this prayer, I also asked that he send us the right people to receive this "gift".

Sure enough, I started to get information on families that were having some financial problems and would not be having any type of Christmas. As the human side of me came out, I wondered how many of these parents really needed help or were they just looking for a "hand-out"? With the help of a couple of family members, I started to remember the prayer that I would find the right people. I also wondered how many of these children actually knew the real meaning of Christmas. Did they think that Santa and his presents would always make them happy? Did they think they were not loved if by chance Santa wouldn't be there again next year? They needed more than just clothes and toys. They needed a book that would guide them through the good times and the bad. They needed a Bible! Each child would also receive two other books, The Birth of Jesus and The Story of Jesus.

In the end, around $6500 was raised to sponsor 21 children!  Almost double from last year!

For years now, we celebrated New Year's Eve at our house. Our family and friends would come over, eat and play games. Even the year I was pregnant with Colby & Corbin and had been in and out of the hospital several times because of dehydration, they insisted on our traditional party. I was told I could stay in the bed if I needed to, but they were coming anyway! This year New Year's Eve fell on a Wednesday, a night we're normally in Church. Our Church was having a "watch night" service which means it would last until 12 am. I really thought about not going because five hours of sitting still would be tuff, and then there's the fact that my family would come to my house and celebrate without me! Something just kept telling me I should be at Church. My decision came when someone else volunteered to have the party at their house. Little did I know at the time that by me being at Church that night, I would realize something I will never forget! A woman from a neighboring Church had come to sing for us. The title of the song was "Four Days Late" (make sure your speakers are on). After leaving there that night I came home and downloaded that song and listened to it over and over again. A couple of days later as I was preparing my children's Bible story lesson for that night, I came across the story of Lazarus. Lazarus was the brother to Mary & Martha. When Lazarus becomes sick Mary and Martha prayed that Jesus would come and heal him. When Jesus does finally come, Martha is upset and begins to tell Him He's four days late" because Lazarus had already died. Jesus told them to take him to the tomb where Jesus cries "Lazarus come forth!" Lazarus was raised from the dead! Mary and Martha thought that when Lazarus died there would be no hope for them and that their lives had ended. As I was reading this story to my children that night I remembered a prayer I said the day after Corbin died. I asked God if he would make a way for someone, it didn't matter who, to be saved and not have to spend eternity in hell. The children that received the Bible's may not ever ask Jesus into their hearts, but it won't be because they didn't have the opportunity! This was a lesson to me, and my children, as I watch tears fall from their eyes.

I don't think it was by chance that I went Church that night or that this song was played there. Nor do I think that I got lucky when I came across the story of Lazarus. I think God put it in my life for a reason. There's know doubt that God took Corbin for a reason! Maybe it has nothing to do with the story I just told you, but I do know I will have better things to do than question Him about it when it get there!

Some of the family and gifts for Corbin's Gift 2008

From top left: Kimberly (mommy's sister), Anna Clark, Grandma Mary (mommy's mommy), Aunt Dana (mommy's sister), Mommy, Colby (Corbin's twin brother), Papa Archie (daddy's daddy), Grandma Joyce (daddy's mommy), Aunt Brenda (daddy's aunt), BB (daddy's cousin), Brook (daddy's cousin), Aunt Pat (daddy's aunt), Aunt Annie (daddy's sister)

From bottom left:  Madison (Corbin's sister), BreAnna (cousin), Kent (cousin)

Colby, Mommy & Madison