Volunteers : Helping hands : FULLERTON : Selfless Giving Is Her Way of Life

Most people who have benefited from Brenda Lee’s help have never heard of her, and that suits her just fine.

The 45-year-old Fullerton business owner not only donates money, often anonymously, to a number of charities, she volunteers countless hours doing such chores as packaging food for distribution to the poor and homeless.

“She’s very dedicated to the poor and she will practically do anything for them,” said Lisa Pettinicchio, president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which provides shelter, food and clothing for the needy.

“She bags food to give to the hungry. She visits the sick, and when there’s a death, she’s there to feed the mourners and offer support.”

Now, after years of working for other charitable organizations, Lee is organizing a fund-raiser of her own to help one of her favorite causes, Habitat for Humanity, and at the same time encourage other people to give to charities of their choice.

For the Nov. 18 event, which she is calling “Showcase for Humanity,” Lee is seeking vendors to sell goods and donate 20% of the proceeds to Habitat for Humanity, a national organization that builds homes for people who could not otherwise afford them.

The rest of the money, she said, will go to whatever charity the vendor chooses, as long as it is one dedicated to helping the destitute.

Lee feels strongly that she has a mandate from God to serve the poor.

“I take seriously what the Bible says about taking care of our brothers and sisters, and the poor are our brothers and sisters,” said Lee, who has been a foster parent and also sponsors three African children through a Christian organization.

“I’m not poor, and I’m not from a poor family. But when I was growing up, my parents showed me how to love and care for everyone, not just our own family members.”

--COMPILED BY MIMI KO CRUZ