When we first sat down to write about why we place a priority on our charitable gifts to Pinecrest, we thought of the typical reasons: to cover the gap between tuition and operating costs, to ensure funds for financial aid, to fund buildings for continued growth and even because it's our Christian duty to give our time, talent and treasure. However, as we discussed it further, we realized it was too generic and incomplete. These are all valid (and substantial) reasons in their own right, but they don't capture the real motivation behind our giving.

Simply put - we give because of our children. We realize that our purpose on this earth is to get our children to heaven. To do this, we have to nurture them and give them the tools they need, not only to succeed academically, but socially, morally and most importantly, spiritually. We have never been anywhere that exemplifies this more than at Pinecrest Academy.

While the education our children receive at Pinecrest speaks for itself, the most important aspect of the school, to us, is the spiritual formation. We have become a more complete family and individually, better children, spouses, parents and Christians because of this school. And because of this, we have a debt to pay. The entire campus is centered around Christ. He can be felt everywhere - in the faces of the faculty, staff, students and parents. What more could we possibly ask for?

We give because we understand that what we receive here is so much more than a great education. We could never give our children these things on our own. Not only do we cherish them for our children , but for all children. After all, Pinecrest Academy produces our Christian leaders of tomorrow.

Let's face it, what our kids get at Pinecrest cannot be measured in dollars; but we also know that growth cannot happen without funds. We know it takes money to move forward and if we are not willing, then who is? God is calling all of us to deliver His message and it can be seen daily at Pinecrest.

We love our kids and we love this school. That's why we give.

Sean and Stephanie O'Rourke

Note: The following is a letter I received from parent Ana Adams, wife of Jeff and mother of Charlotte (1^st) and Samuel (3^rd), including two more little ones at home. This letter both touched me given their selfless commitment to God and helping others, and inspired me to rethink my own giving strategies. This letter is used with her permission and all emphasis of italics or all capitalization is hers.
Rick Swygman, Executive Director

Hey there, Rick -

Thought of you today in church so I got this CD (Andy Stanley, pastor of North Point Community Church, CD audio series "Five things God Uses to Grow Your Faith", part 3, and the series "Lost") for you to have, to maybe use in some way that only you will be able to identify the appropriateness and efficacy of... in the months and years ahead as Pinecrest continues to plow forward with its capital campaign, Strengthen Our Foundation. I know you know the value of the concepts that are mentioned in the CD, and I wanted to personally pass on the message that it is these concepts that have provided such a HUGE boost to my spiritual walk as well as Jeff's. Without these concepts, we would be so much further behind in our relationship with God and so in the dark as to how much He wants us to DEPEND ON HIM for all our sustenance. These concepts were kind of unknown to us some years back and this, to us, is tragic. Why do I say "tragic?" Because just like Andy (Stanley) says "Money is a faith thing." And, "the tension you feel around money is a faith issue." And honey, I'm here to tell you, that tension can be very real - we know from personal experience.