Larkin Family
“We are all a few circumstances from needing help,” says Lani Ashton Larkin. “My family is showing up for others…and I hope if we need help one day, someone will show up for us.”
Lani grew up knowing the importance of service. And now she and her husband, Terry, are instilling that importance in their sons, Christian and Cormac.
The boys were five years old, when the Larkin Family found Honeycomb Project. “We live in the western suburbs and I was always searching for opportunities when the boys were younger,” says mom. “I found Honeycomb online and my family jumped right in.”
Christian and Cormac (10 years old) love how Honeycomb brings other kids and families together to help in the community. “The boys know other kids will be at these events,” says Lani, “and they are much more excited knowing that they’ll be volunteering with kids their age.” Some of the boy’s favorites include beach cleanups and cooking and delivering food to teens at Ignite’s Belfort House.
The family also enjoys stocking Love Fridges with canned goods and fresh foods, so neighbors can have access to free food. “The boys made a social media video in the summer, asking family members to donate money-- then we all went grocery shopping and stuffed our cars,” says mom. “We bought enough groceries to fill almost three fridges worth and we were even able to talk to neighbors using the Love Fridges.” “We were so exhausted, but in a good way…and the boys saw the direct impact --they felt so good to see people choosing food out of the fridge.”
Christian and Cormac are continuing to pay it forward and have created a service club at their elementary school. They are founding members of Caring Kids Club, an afterschool club based on Honeycomb principles of giving back. They’ve invited their friends to join the club and are encouraging others in their school to do good and join in on service projects.
The Larkin Family lives in Brookfield. Lana teaches Chemistry at City Colleges of Chicago and Terry is a Regional Manager at United Parcel Service. Christian and Cormac are going to be fifth graders at Congress Park Elementary School and play flag football and baseball. Together, the Larkin’s love to travel and go to the movie theaters.