Monday chat: Radio talk show host helping senior citizens, young people through foundation

By Joe Crankshaw

Sunday, May 1, 2011

FORT PIERCE — Insurance agent, radio talk show host, entrepreneur and civic activist are words that describe Larry Lee, 57. Born in Statesboro, Ga., he came to Fort Pierce with his family when he was 4 years old and stayed to graduate in the second class at Fort Pierce Central High School, where he played linebacker in the Cobras' undefeated 1971 AAAA State Champion team. He graduated from Livingstone College, Salisbury, N.C., where his name is enshrined in the Sports Hall of Fame. Now he has a new project in which he wants to get people involved.

Q. What is your new project?

A. It is the Lighthouse Foundation, which I founded to help senior citizens and young people. I wanted an organization to help me do that while also being able to ask the community to join in the effort. It is a 5019(c)3 nonprofit corporation which last year, gave $25,000 to children, senior citizens and organizations that help them.

Q. Where did this money come from?

A. It came from the public, who contributed. Everything we take in goes to benefit children and seniors. Our board of directors are all volunteers, I don't get anything from it and we absorb our expenses through other means. For example, my staff here in the agency does much of the administrative work. We mean it when we say every penny goes to benefit someone.

Q. Where did the idea for the Lighthouse Foundation come from?

A. I have always cared about senior citizens and young people, and over 20 years I have seen examples of the needs of those age groups. Visiting senior citizen homes I have learned of the problems they face and I think this is one way to do it. I hate what we do in this country, putting people away in nursing homes. There are many people in the community that feel as I do and they have joined me. I have also taken it on the air on my radio program on WIRA 1400 AM and 104.7 FM, The Flame.

Q. You have a program that now works under the Lighthouse Foundation, but existed before you formed the nonprofit. What is it?

A. The project is called "Pay It Forward Friday." The idea came from an old movie I saw 10 or 12 years ago. In it a teacher asks his students how they can improve the world. One of them goes to the black board, draws a circle and says "This is me." Then he drew another circle below it and said: "This is some one who needs help." He said when he helped that person, if they asked how he could be repaid, he told them to do the same for another person, "pay it forward." I want to spread that concept. It could become a movement which does not need an organization to make it work, just everyone doing something for someone else. I started it on the radio and I created the 501(c)3 corporation so people could do it an take a tax deduction. People can see our IRS Form 990.

Q. Why are you doing this?

A. God has blessed me with a great business and a good life. I have a board who feels the same.

Q. How can people contact you?

A. My telephone number is 772-461-0749. We will have a website in the near future.

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