For more than five decades, James and Anne Carroll have been quietly changing lives from their home in Nebraska.
A life of building brighter futures
Photos and handwritten letters fill the Carrolls’ home in a vibrant collage of cherished memories from their three children—and the many children they’ve sponsored with SOS Children’s Villages.
“We’ve adopted and raised three children of our own,” James said. “So for us, it was a no-brainer to sponsor a child.”
Drawn to the long-term stability of the SOS model, the Carrolls began sponsoring children with SOS in 1973 and have sponsored many more in their five decades of support.
“I moved every year growing up, so that long-term stability is something I didn’t know,” James said. “It’s really nice to be a part of that experience for someone else. We started sponsoring some children when they were in preschool, and we’ve seen them graduate high school.”
Unlike traditional orphanages—where caregiver to child ratios can be as high as 1:31—SOS’ innovative village model guarantees children have the trusting relationship with a nurturing caregiver that is essential to their emotional, physical and mental development. Each child has access to all the resources they need to succeed—like professional health care, quality education, nutritious food and so much more.
Helping children in crisis
But the Carroll’s generosity to children in need continued to expand past their family and sponsored children. When a devastating earthquake rocked Morocco, the Carrolls immediately responded.
“I’ve never sponsored a child or village in Morocco, but I sent SOS money when there was an earthquake in Morrocco,” James said.
With over 75 years of expertise in humanitarian aid, SOS’ locally-led teams employ a “first in, last out” approach that delivers immediate aid and long-term relief—rebuilding sustainably and preventing crises that arise from leaving an emergency-affected area prematurely.
“[With SOS], I knew exactly where my money was going and how important it is,” James said.
This Giving Tuesday, you can join the Carrolls in giving the gift of love
The Carroll’s inspiring story highlights how your love transforms the lives of children in need.
This holiday season, a child is growing up alone, wishing for the gift that the Carrolls have given to countless children over the years: the transformative love of a family.
This Giving Tuesday, you can join the Carrolls and fulfill a child’s wish with your life-changing gift of sponsorship.
When you sponsor a child in need today, you can create a ripple effect of good that echoes through the life of your family and children in need. Your sponsorship gives a child the priceless gift of a safe, loving home and everything they need to thrive now—and far into the future.
Because love matters.
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