System Controller Bakinka Bailey paid forward $500 to Terry Wilkins of Spartanburg, to help with expenses for his upcoming kidney transplant.
On Wilkins’ GoFundMe page, he says, “I have been on dialysis 4 years and now it has come time for me to receive a kidney.”
He must travel out of state for the surgery, requiring him to pay for shelter, and there will be significant medical bills and expensive medicines after the procedure.
Bakinka met Wilkins years ago through a mutual friend. “At the time I didn’t know that he was on dialysis for kidney failure. When I heard he had finally gotten the call to get the transplant I knew I wanted to help him in any way possible.”
“The LEC Pay it Forward program is such a great program that gives its employees a chance to give back. Paying it forward to Terry – being able to help someone I know who really needs the help – really means to lot to me,” says Bakinka.
For his part, Wilkins writes, “My journey hasn’t been easy by no means, but l never gave up hope that God had a plan for my life.”
To view the fundraiser or to donate, visit gofundme.com/f/kidneyfund41, or go to the GoFundMe site and search “kidneyfund41.”
The Pay It Forward program began in 2015.
Every Laurens Electric Cooperative employee is entered into a random drawing to receive $500 to pay forward in any way they choose. Each month a new name is drawn, and the employee then has one month to apply the funds toward their own act of kindness.
This initiative is budget-neutral; the funds will come from Laurens Electric’s charity events, which employee volunteers make possible.
Employees and the community will enable individual employees to help individuals in the community, and that’s a win-win situation.
