Chapin S.C. Boy Sees Others in Need

When Justin Pepper turned 7, he told his mother he wanted to give the toys from his birthday party to children less fortunate than he.

That was Dec. 1, 2002, Christmas was just around the corner and Justin was simply grateful for what he had, his mother, Kari Crawford, said.

He and his mom visited the Thornwell Home for Children in Clinton, which takes care of children of parents who are addicted to drugs, have untreated mental illnesses and other problems and can’t care for them.

“He really felt bad for them and realized he had both his parents, and he had lots of things and they didn’t have anything,” Crawford said. “Every year, he reminded me, ‘Mom, we need to do that again.’ ”

And every year for the next four years, Justin donated his birthday gifts to the children at Thornwell.

That ended this year. Justin died in a car accident Aug. 14 in Norton, Va., on his way to visit relatives. He was 11.

But Justin’s mom and his dad, James Thomas Pepper, wanted to make sure his legacy of generosity lives on.

With their church, Lake Murray Presbyterian in Chapin, they’re organizing a toy drive in his honor. It ends Saturday — his birthday — with a breakfast at the church.

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