Jim McAuliffe on Greece’s Lesvos Island
Kids play sports in Lighthouse Relief’s enrichment program.
Jim walked 26 miles in costume to raise money for Lighthouse Relief.
How did a British accountant end up helping refugee kids in Greece? When Jim McAuliffe retired in 2018, he planned to travel to every country in the European Union. For his visit to Greece, he decided to spend a month as a humanitarian volunteer.
At 56, he was twice as old as most international volunteers. Lighthouse Relief was “one of the few organisations willing to take someone like me, with zero experience, for a short-term role.” Lighthouse operated on Lesvos Island and, like a real lighthouse, kept an eye on the Aegean, spotting boats and helping refugees and migrants as they arrived. “Everyone was incredibly welcoming, and what immediately struck me was the amazing humanity of all involved…. I’m not sure if you can have a life-changing experience in your mid-fifties, but for me, this was it!”
As it turned out, Jim changed Lighthouse, too. Staffers recognized that his skills and expertise could help the struggling organization stay afloat. These days, he’s chair of the board and travels to Greece five to six times a year. The team now runs enrichment programs for the children of Malakasa Camp on the mainland. Jim even donned a Lighthouse costume and walked 26 miles through Southwest England to raise money for the cause.
Chloe Esposito, an advisor to both Lighthouse and Humanity Now, told us that Jim “single handedly kept [the organization] going over past years and his dedication to the mission is infectious. When he walked around his neighborhood dressed as a Lighthouse, it not only made people smile and donate, but also fostered a sense of community which is so important these days.”
We spotlight Jim’s story this month in hopes that it will inspire you. “There’s a huge need for older volunteers in the humanitarian sector,” Jim tells us, “especially those who can maybe bring some ‘professional’ expertise. And so many people in retirement potentially need to find (or re-find) their purpose…. When the daily news cycle is so distressing, it seems more important than ever to try to make a difference.”
We Recommend: Shop the Globe!
We love our local international food markets. They make life in the United States richer, more interesting, and delicious. They also provide employment to new immigrants, helping them establish stable lives and independence. If you haven’t explored what’s available near you, you may be surprised by the range of possibilities. Just in the small city of Wilmington, North Carolina, where Jen and Dana live, markets specialize in Asian, Latin American, Palestinian, African, Brazilian, and Polish products. They sell fresh jackfruit, Oaxacan cheeses, pierogies, hard-to-find chilis, hand-made baklava, and so much more. If you’re confused by the offerings, staff can show you around and introduce you to new delicacies. Shopping at these establishments is more meaningful than going to a corporate supermarket and better for our communities, too.Do you have a recommendation for our newsletter? Let us know!
A Gathering in Baltimore
Liz grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, so when dear family friends offered to host an evening to talk about Humanity Now, we jumped at the chance to expand our community. One Saturday in February, Monica took a train down from New York and that night she and Liz described Humanity Now and shared anecdotes about our amazing partners in Greece, Poland, Ukraine, and the United States.
Guests asked why people are fleeing their homelands. They also wanted to know how Humanity Now identifies the small grassroots organizations that we support. Liz and Monica shared that we rely on a network of advisors and visit our funding regions regularly to determine how our money can be most effective. Because we pay all expenses ourselves, every donated dollar goes directly to those who need it.
