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Last week on the Doing Good Is Simple Podcast, Chris Marlow sat down with two of Help One Now’s earliest team members, who are still on staff today — Lamar Stockton and Brennon Bloemendaal.
These two weren’t just early hires. They were some of the first people to truly believe in the mission of Help One Now enough to dedicate the next 15 years of their lives to it. Lamar and Brennon were among the very first people who looked at the mission of Help One Now and said, “I’m in.” They saw the potential for impact, rolled up their sleeves, and used what they had to start sharing that mission with the world.
Their conversation with Chris is a powerful reminder that movements are born when ordinary people choose to commit to something bigger than themselves.
“I realized what Help One Now was doing here was recognizing that we don’t have all the answers and approaching the work with humility and partnership. I knew I wanted to be a part of that.” – Lamar Stockton
“I remember staying at John Alix and Melen’s house and hearing them share their story—their history, and their family’s sacrifice and dedication to the work they were doing. I was so inspired and knew I had to do everything I could to be a part of this.” – Brennon Bloemendaal
The origin story of Help One Now isn’t just about building an organization—it’s about how passion, purpose, and people collide to make meaningful change.
As you listen, we invite you to reflect:
What first drew you to Help One Now?
What called you to do good and be part of the story?
Whatever that reason may be, we hope you hold onto the spark that started your journey. That spark—the one that said there’s more good to be done, and I want to help do it—can ignite the kind of future we all hope for.
What’s powerful about Chris, Lamar, and Brennon’s story is that neither of them waited until they had more to give—they simply chose to give what they had. It wasn’t about an abundance of resources or influence. It was about showing up. They gave their time, their skills, their faith, and their belief that something beautiful could grow from the ground up. Sometimes, the most impactful thing we can offer is simply our yes. Whether you have time to serve, knowledge to share, prayers to lift up, or just a willingness to step in—it all matters. From these humble beginnings, lifelong friendships have been formed, and real, lasting change has spread across the globe.
And we’re so glad you’re on this journey with us.
With hope,
The Help One Now Team