The Faces of the Golden Strip is pleased to introduce you to Lu Grant who brings many smiles to our community. When you see her out at the Pumpkin Patch in a few months thank her for all that she does in our community. We recently had the chance to meet her when she did a fundraiser 5K race in Fountain Inn. Please learn a bit more about her in her own words…
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Currently I am the director of the Friends of the Little White House, a Montessori skill building center for adults and children with developmental delays located in Simpsonville. A long time passion project, The Little White House is a 501C-3 organization that believes in giving back as much as it receives. At the Little White House I also work hands on with the children and adults who attend.
After many years of volunteering with the Holy Cross Episcopal Church Pumpkin Patch and directing a non-profit “patch partner,” the Friend of the Little White House embraced the opportunity to become more involved.
In 2020, during the midst of “the Pandemic,” a representative from Holy Cross reached out for support to continue the tradition and mission of the Pumpkin Patch. With over six years of executing successful patches and understanding the logistics needed to continue the tradition, the organization decided that we would run the Patch and keep the mission to support non-profits in the area. We created the Golden strip Pumpkin Patch committee and have decided to support four other non-profits located within the Golden Strip area.
The first year, we had to relocate the patch from the railroad location near Vaughn’s Warehouse, to Anita’s Mexican Restaurant (thanks to the Baldwin Family). We had five weeks to reorganize/relocate and strategize. It was a huge success and greatly appreciated by the community.
2022 will be the 3rd year that Friends of the Little White House will operate the Pumpkin Patch and it will be the 18th year for this tradition for Simpsonville. We will be relocating the patch (due to Anita Baldwin’s retirement) to 305 Rail Line next to Eggs Up Grill in Simpsonville. Many thanks to Eggs Up Grill, Rich Hammett and Steve Collins for this year’s location.
We look forward to having this long standing tradition continue for our community, especially the adults and children from our programs who gain so much from working the patch and practicing social, job and independent life skills.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Our children at the Little White House love Azteca for taco, Pete’s for hot dogs, and Dino’s! We have fostered relationships with each of these restaurants thanks to their willingness to work with our kids on building their social skills and life skills in a public domain.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
50 years.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would love to visit Costa Rica to experience their rich culture and beautiful scenery.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Choose kindness daily.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I hope to take a glass blowing class!
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Pass.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Despite exponential growth, the Golden Strip has remained a tight knit community with a small town feel.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Doing the same thing I’m doing now; serving the community through the Little White House and the Golden Strip Pumpkin Patch.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m an open book. You would have difficulty finding something people don’t know.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The South of France.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
The children I work with inspire me every day.
Q: Describe what “neighbor” means to you?
Someone who you can count on, and someone who can count on you.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Peaceful, quiet, and relaxing much like the Golden Strip.
