IN COMMON

By Christopher Lawrence

On Saturday, April 25, 2009, people helped other people.

To raise money for the Arthritis Foundation, over 400 people —donned in white, a sea of turquoise, a band of orange (with a few small ones in yellow) — gathered on the campus of Ursinus College this past Saturday. The 2009 Collegeville Arthritis 5k Walk and Run, the fifth to be held on Ursinus’ campus, got underway with the bright sun just beginning to warm the day, and snaked through the suburban side-streets south of the campus; it was a show of new leaf buds and spring flowers surrounding the houses, parks, and streams crossed.

From the perspective of this walker, a seasoned walker with numerous 5k fundraisers and 50-mile plus hikes under his belt, it was a very well-organized and successful event. Water stations were set up and manned along the way, while crossing guards kept safe the busier intersections. The entire event was a testament to the efforts of one Cheryl Lutz and her team of volunteers; particularly co-chairs April Cobb and Cherie Lewis-DiGian, who blanketed the area with information about the event. Everyone enjoyed the magnificent morning, and in the end, over $45,000 was raised to fund local research and programs, including exercise programs to ease symptoms, and a camp for children dealing with the ailment.

The event was the largest Collegeville Arthritis walk to date: those 400 people, grouped into 19 teams, (plus at least 20 walk-in additions), most of whom were family and friends of people with arthritis, bested the previous high by more than 30 percent. The largest group, Team Enbrel (consisting of employees and family representing Wyeth, the local Presenting Event Sponsor, in the turquoise), were able to muster some 200 volunteers to attend.

There was also a second story which threaded itself into Saturday’s philanthropy; one not really separate at all from the first. Among the 19 teams was Caellie’s Clan, formed from a good portion of the group sometimes known as Clan McClaneous for it’s varied and often Celtic ancestries. The members listed on the back of those orange T-shirts with the smiling monkey artwork: Mommy (the same April Cobb), Aunkie, Caellie, William, Shaylan, Nana, Tío Chris (your author), Suzanne, Auntie Heather, Pop Pop, Emmy, and Hannah.

The group started the walk (somewhat) together — a short last minute bathroom break required the team delay a bit — and ended together in a very happy and relaxed last place. The bright spring weather and the quiet nature of being alone in the back meant that along the way, Caellie’s Clan talked about azaleas, apple trees, star flower and skunk cabbage, streams, bridges, and the trolls which live under them (Watch out Ursinus, I was informed by none other than Caellie herself that your local troll eats bricks.)

Well, after the walk had ended, and all were gathering for bread, popcorn, drinks; after dropping his sweater off in Aunkie’s car, and getting himself some refreshments, my father, and normal author of this weekly column, collapsed unexpectedly. Still to be named strangers came to our aid in seconds. Others, unknown and loved, called paramedics, who arrived in record time. They all helped my father and my family as the walkers had earlier helped; willing sacrifice of self for the wellbeing of another, in the true Greek fashion of the word philanthropy — “to love people.”

For many who have met G.E. “Skip” Lawrence, you have also likely met some of Caellie’s Clan about town, especially the smaller of them (one perhaps with notebook in hand, Reporter’s Dress on?). For you, the moniker “Pop Pop” is familiar. He was proud Pop to myself and my sister, my step-brother and step-sister (Chris, Heather, Seamus and April, respectively), and an equally proud Pop Pop of six grandchildren (Emmy, Caellie, Hannah, Shaylan, William, and Maddie), who he spent many days caring for.

For those who knew him even better, and now for those of you reading, Skip was a devout Christian who studied and knew his topics of conversation deeply. He loved the world and every single solitary person in it with all of his being.

He began his professional career working to improve transportation (both public and private) in the city of Ithaca, N.Y., where he attended Cornell, married my mother (Janet), and told dirty jokes to the Dalai Lama (who was speaking at the University a different warm spring day). After earning a graduate degree in Theology and Social Ethics from the Divinity School at the University of Chicago, he worked as a Fundraising Director for numerous non-profit organizations and academic institutions; The Lilly Endowment, Haverford College, University of Delaware, Stevens Institute of Technology, The Museum of Natural Science of Philadelphia and dozens more over many years, pushing the expansion of both knowledge and love.

Most recently, he has focused effort on the aiding the Phoenixville Main Street Community Development Corporation and the Stepping Stones Preschool — unofficially, helping promote other areas of Phoenixville life and politics: the First Friday program, expansion of public and non-motorized transportation, and the expansion of the Phoenixville library (insert crafty and poignant plug for that project here).

Outside of work, my father read and taught, wrote and drew, was a fellow traveler of technology (recently published in the FDR Presidential Library thanks to Google Alerts), helped and extended his heart and respect to anyone who needed it. He adopted those who needed a parent, and guided those who needed a direction. He spent his life embodying philanthropy.

Instead of cards or flowers, we would appreciate if any expressions of joy at my father’s life be paid forward. Please make donations to either the Arthritis Foundation or Stepping Stone Preschool, located here in Phoenixville, to continue what Skip/Pop Pop/Emerson/George/Em so effectively picked up from, and continued for, his forefathers in philanthropy.

So, as suggested, the two stories are indeed one.

Arthritis Foundation

111 South Independence Mall East

Suite 500

Philadelphia, PA 19106

Stepping Stone Education Center

400 Franklin Ave Suite 400

Phoenixville, PA 19460