As we reflect during this countdown to our Youth Center opening (24 days!!), we loved getting in touch with Lindsay Biggers to talk about how A2S has grown since the very beginning. Lindsay is a former A2S board member (2013-2016) and one of our original A2S volunteers. She’s travelled with us on many trips to work with our children in Nigeria! Lindsay is an events expert– You may recognize her from having put on several of our “Evening with A2S” and “Soulful Supper” events. Lindsay has been with us since the dream for a Youth Center began. Below is what she had to say about her personal story and our growth as an organization.
Why did you get involved with A2S?
Honestly, it seemed like a natural progression that I would get involved with A2S. My sister, Lauren, is one of the founders of the organization so of course I was close to the conversations and building of it all. I remember when Lauren came home from her first trip – before A2S was a thing – and saw how deeply it impacted her. Lauren and I both had experienced stepping out of our comfort zone before on mission trips around the world – but this one seemed different. I needed to see for myself.
How did you get involved?
I was involved in various ways – indirectly or directly at the start. There were times I was the schlepper, taking or picking up whatever supplies Lauren, Morgan and Andrew needed for various events like 5Ks, booths at Christmas at Davidson, etc. There were times I would come home and Andrew would just be sitting in our kitchen working in an empty house – we started calling our apartment the A2S headquarters because well that’s what it became – there were donated shoes everywhere and fundraising collateral being designed, reviewed and stuffed. Eventually, I joined a trip – and volunteered to stand up a program for our After School children. I leaned into my own personal childhood and the fun memories I had at Vacation Bible School so that’s what I tried to re-create. That first year was a hilarious mess – but watching these little ones imitate sounds of being in the elephant, lion and bear in their groups as they moved between their stations made us all laugh and we knew we were on to something. To this day one of my favorite pictures/memories from that trip is one where I’m covered in paint after the art session. It was an authentic moment that showed the fun and chaos of it all.
How has A2S impacted me?
A2S has impacted me in so many ways. I was blessed to attend four trips to Nigeria, each one of them different and special. I’m not a basketball player (let’s be real, I’m not an athlete) but I loved the basketball and empowerment camps as much as the after school programs. I’ve watched hundreds of youth play Simon Says on the court, handed out hundreds of supplies, tried new foods, gone shopping for camp supplies in the market, taught little ones how to blow bubbles and cut paper, and so much more. I’ve made lifelong friends there (and here!), and I have loved seeing the growth of this organization and this community. I also served on the board for several years, and chaired our annual event Soulful Supper for a few until I tossed the reins to Christy. I’ll be honest, there were some things in recent years that prevented me from getting back to Nigeria – the death of my dad and the pandemic, most notably – but I’ve continued to cheer on this team for pushing through all the circumstances and continuing to focus on love and education for these children and youth. Being back with everyone at the recent Soulful Supper and A2S packing day reminds you how special of an organization this is, and I hope everyone can find time to experience these events for yourself. A2S is an organization that focuses on what we cannot necessarily see for ourselves here in the States, but does give us a community here in our own backyard to volunteer and fellowship with, and that’s had a huge impact on me as well in addition to the travels I’ve been able to make with the team.
What has it been like to watch A2S grow?
Oh gosh, to sit back and think about how A2S started with discussions around kitchen tables and Brickhouse booths to see now how its outreach expands into multiple cities – it’s inspiring. The development of a Youth Center has been a dream of so many for so long, one that I’m not sure I always thought was a possibility. Yet here we are – close to having kids run through its halls and continuing to build on their own dreams. None of it has been easy – planning sessions, fundraising, controlled and uncontrolled setbacks, and a lot of schlepping – but it’s all worth it. At the end of the day, if we can reach one more person, give someone else the tools to achieve success, and to find time to show a little kindness, then I think that’s a full life. I’m so proud of A2S – and I look forward to seeing what’s next!
