Today we’d like to introduce you to Brent Lager.
Hi Brent, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Here’s our origin story from our old website… The boy and girl couldn’t have been more than six years old. Dirt caked their fingers and ragged layers of clothing covered their small, dwindling bodies. They looked cold, hungry, and shy when they walked up to my food station inside the homeless shelter.
With a scared face, the little boy asked for a bite-size candy bar to share with his sis. Without hesitation, I gave them two handfuls each. The next moment changed my life forever.
There are certain experiences in life that define who we are. Seldom are they easy to spot, and it’s usually not until later in life that we realize they occurred at all. They can affect many, or sometimes just one, and their true impact can vary for everyone.
Yet, no matter the degree, these defining moments present us with an opportunity to make a change, to leave a legacy, and to transform for the better. Ultimately, they are chances to make a difference in our lives and others. Unfortunately, they are ignored far too often.
The idea for Uncover KC came from that exact notion. So many times, in my life, I found myself personally wondering what my purpose was. After trying to fill it with education, a job, friends, and family, I realized I was still missing something. They were all great, but I felt unfulfilled.
As a man of faith, religion was the closest I got to fill that hole, and it led me to open my mind, eyes, and heart. It also led me to a homeless shelter. In January 2013, friend and co-founder Brent Lobdell joined me to volunteer at Morning Glory Ministries in downtown Kansas City. For three hours, we prepared food for the less fortunate and served them hot meals.
While watching hungry men, women, and even children receive a short respite from their difficult lives, a pair of siblings came up to me. The little boy and girl could not have been more than 6-years-old and all they asked for was a piece of chocolate. When I gave them two handfuls each, their toothy smiles hit me to the core — pure joy.
Two kids who had next to nothing found happiness in a simple sweet, which I was lucky enough to give them. It felt like I was actually making a difference in someone else’s existence, helping those who truly needed it to find joy in misery, and it gave me a feeling of unabashed happiness. To put it plainly, I was doing something that mattered. I was improving others’ lives like never before, and I knew there was so much more I could give.
From that point on, Brent and I looked for more opportunities to volunteer and as we continued to help feed the hungry, clothe the needy and strengthen the weak, an idea came to us. What would happen if we all did this? What if — as a community — the people of Kansas City dedicated just one morning every six months to help those in need? Think of the impact it could have on the less fortunate, the lives that it could make better, or more importantly, the lives it could save. It would be life-altering for many.
So, we decided to start a movement, a community service renaissance, and we’re challenging everyone in Kansas City to join us. Since 2014, we’ve been a certified 501c3 nonprofit organization that is focused solely on volunteerism. Volunteer with us once every six months and we promise that not only will you enhance the life of someone who needs it, but you will also experience growth in your own heart — and you won’t be alone.
There are certain experiences in life that define who we are. We here at Uncover KC are offering such a moment to you. Join us.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Certainly not smooth. Every phase of starting a functioning nonprofit from scratch has its challenges. Financial, emotional, mental health. It’s all wrapped in it and throughout my 8 years of this work, I’ve experienced most of the bumps in some way shape, or form.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m proud of my organization, the impact we make, and the people who help us make happen. It takes a village, and I’m just one person among hundreds who have been a part of this. I do feel we are creative, innovative, and determined in how we go about making a positive impact. I also feel like we’re constantly learning or pushing to grow, which keeps us from getting complacent.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t know if I’d call it luck, but I think God has blessed me in every aspect of life. He opens doors, doors that I don’t even recognize, and I just try to stay present as I walk through them.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://uncoverkc.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncoverkc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncoverkc/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncoverkc
- Other: https://vimeo.com/user77227146
Image Credits:
Uncover KC
