Lola Lehman '32

I feel that as human beings we owe it to ourselves to help charity.  The scripture tells us that we owe 10 percent of what we earn to helping others, so I feel I’m only doing my part.  If I can think to do that, plenty of other can too.  In a way, I believe that if we believe in God and his divine wisdom, it will just come into our minds to help our fellow man.  I just feel like that’s how God works.

When I first thought about giving to a charity, I laid them all out side-by-side: OSU, Red Cross, Heart Association, cripple children, aged people, nursing homes, Salvation Army – and I only selected one to give.

Lottie and I wanted to help needy students.  When I spend money, I want a return on it.  As we give back, the next generation will do the same thing and so will the next.  And that, my friend, is a mighty good return.

God is the source of human wisdom.  Wisdom is the sign of knowledge.  When we invest in men and women improving themselves – we’re doing God’s work.  Our students who really need help are good, solid people and they will be a blessing to those they touch and those they interact with.  They in turn will want to give back because they’ve been impacted. 

As time goes on, my recipients will give back then their recipients will give back and that will go on forever.  Even when I’m not here to see it – it’s a good feeling to leave this world knowing you’ve helped create that domino effect.

I do not feel that I have said anything very earth-shaking here.  I cannot give a large gift at any one time, but if I can give something each year then maybe in the end it will be enough to accomplish something worthwhile.

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