Welcome to the defender podcast, a resource to help mobilize and equip the body of Christ to manifest the gospel to orphans and vulnerable children. This podcast is a ministry of Lifeline Children Services, and I'm your host, Herbie Newell.

It's August 28, 2024. I'm Rick Morton, and this is the Defender podcast. Well, it's that time of year again where we're at the, the point of the Run for 1, which is Lifeline's annual 5 ks. We do that in addition or in conjunction with a number of friends and partners. And our whole goal for the Run for 1 is to raise awareness for global orphan care for kids around the world that are in in need of care, Lifeline's role in that, and just the way that we all as as a community and, you know, those of us that are part of the body of Christ can come around and and do something, on behalf of orphan and vulnerable children.

And so, today, I have the, the distinct pleasure of having 2 guests that are a part of a business here in Birmingham, the Onin Group that we have partnered with for many years as part of the Run for 1. So we're gonna tell you a little bit about the Onin Group. We're gonna get into a little bit about about them and their distinctives because they're a fun company and and make a huge contribution to our community here in Birmingham, and and they've been a, you know, such a significant part of the run over the years. And so we're gonna talk a little bit about that. We're gonna talk a little bit about the run and kind of how we do what we do, and we're just gonna kind of talk about the ministry of Lifeline in general.

But before we get there, we want to talk about the Run for 1. Right? That's why we're here. And so we want you to remember to join us on Saturday, September 7th for the Run for 1 5 ks. And if you're here in Birmingham, you can join us in person.

If you're not in Birmingham, we want to invite you to join the Run as a run where you are participant. And so the truth is that the run for 1 can go for go with you wherever you go. You can sign up for our virtual run. We'll send you a race t shirt. There'll be an opportunity for you to gather with friends or family to run-in a local park or neighborhood or wherever that might be.

If you want information about, about running here in Birmingham, you can go to run for one five k dot org, or you can find that in our show notes. That's run for 15 k.org, or that'll be in the show notes for today's show. And so we're gonna we're gonna have an opportunity now, to, I wanna welcome to the show my guest, Heather Olivette and, Dante Hardy, who are with the Onin Group. And, Heather is a longtime friend who we've known through Lifeline Circles, and we're gonna get into a little bit of that story and and how we're connected, both through her her work with Onin, but also, as a Lifeline family. And then we're also gonna get a chance to to get to know Dante and a little bit about his work in community partnerships and the things that they do, at Onin.

So welcome to the show y'all.

Thank you.

Thank you. Glad to be here.

Yeah. We're, you know, we're just so glad to to have you here. And I think one of the, you know, one of the fun things about the Run for 1 is this opportunity to be able to really bring partnerships together where and and so seeing ministry and business come together, seeing family and ministry and business come together, and and and the way that we can come around causes, in our community is a is a, you know, pretty special and inspiring thing. And and one of the groups that has has consistently been with us through the Run for 1 and through this effort is is the Onin Group. And so first of all, I just wanna say to y'all, thank you, for being a part of this and and for joining into this run.

But maybe we'll start and I'm gonna start in a little bit of a different place. And Heather, we'll we'll talk a little bit about your family and and about, your connection to Lifeline. But, I'd love to get into a little bit of Onin's connection to the Run for 1 and why is why this is a thing that Onin wants to be involved in year in year out.

Okay.

Dante, you wanna take that?

Sure. Sure. I'll be I'll be happy to. And then I'll be honest, man. You know, I had no idea, about Lifeline, Run For 1 until I came to Onin.

So upon getting to Onin, I found out this is something they've been doing for, my gosh, it's about 2016.

Mhmm.

Just about a long I

think that's about right. Yeah.

Partnering with Lifeline. And, I serve on our seeds committee at Onin. Mhmm. And, you know, through the seeds committee, I got an opportunity to work with Heather directly on the run. So, you know, hearing finding out about it, I thought it was a fantastic cause.

It it definitely aligns with Onin values. Mhmm. Our leadership team, definitely believes in family and faith, and so this kinda just fell right in right into what we were looking to do. And it also gives our own nights here locally and, across, across the country to, you know, support a great cause and also, you know, get o power, as we like to call it. So, yes, we said it's a 2 for 1 hit for our folks.

So we every year we do it and we love it, and, it's been a it's really been a blessing participating.

And we just love it the way you guys go all in. I mean, there you know, I like I I I'm gonna try to describe this, and I don't know if folks can actually get the full picture. But, I mean, we've got owning folks that are out there running in costumes. We got people people that are coming in groups. It's just a it's a gathering point for, for your team and for people that are around them.

And it's just it's an amazing thing to to see, you know, the the way that that works together. It also I think, you know, it it is a way for us to be able to get to know people in the community that we that we wouldn't otherwise know. And so, you know, for Dante, somebody like you, I I think you're exactly the kind of person that the Run for 1 is for. We're looking to, you know, to reach out to the community, find people that, you know, that run, that wanna do things that are healthy, that wanna get out and enjoy time with other folks. It's not a real competitive run.

It's not something we're doing, you know, it's it's something we're doing for fun.

And,

and it's just a it's a great opportunity, you know, to be able to do that. And so there are there are definitely people that are part of the Run For 1 that are that's their first exposure to Lifeline and they're just coming. There are other folks, Heather, like you, who have, like a lot of connections and and, you know, a deep connection. And so, Heather, your role at Onin is is as the the executive assistant to the CEO. Is that correct?

Correct. The CEO and one of our

partners. And one of your partners. Yeah. And and so, so you've got a you've got a a a, you know, deep inside view of Onin, but you also have a deep inside view of Lifeline because of your family story. And so maybe why don't you kind of tell folks about how you first came to know about Lifeline and about our our relationship together?

Back in, I guess it was 2,009, my husband and I decided, to adopt. We had 2 children and decided we wanted more. And it was at that point where we started thinking, you know, we've passed along, you know, the genes. Yeah. And we just thought, you know, why don't we give a home to a child who didn't have a have a home at that point?

So we started looking. Did not know anything about adoption. I mean, really started from square 1. Found Lifeline and, we have adopted 3 children in 2,000. No.

I said my dates wrong. Yeah. We we adopted in 2,007, 2009, and 2011.

Hey, look. When when you're like us and you've done more than 1, and they all kinda run together, and I find myself and usually, it's Denise. I'm I'm usually looking at her going, remind me, like, when did we do you know, when when did we travel for that one? Or, but but so, like, Lifeline's a big part of of your family, and and we're, you know, we're just kind of all wound up in your business because of, you know, because the way God's put your family together.

Very much so. I love Lifeline. I get giddy when I see certain people that Carla Thrasher kind of has held our hand for.

Let's be honest. We all get giddy when we see Carla. She's like she she just kind of brings the party with her wherever she goes. And so we're we're all about Carla around here. But no.

But but so it so there's been a, like, a long relationship and kind of a long, you know, way that we've been connected to your family and sort of in and out of your life, and you're in and out of our lives, and know a lot of people here. And and that's indicative of a lot of the folks that end up, you know, choosing to be a part of the Run for 1 as well. And and one of the things that I think is really cool about this is it kind of feels a little bit like a family reunion to some level as well, because we come together, see one another. It's a great opportunity for our adoptive families, families that are fostering with us, churches that are partners to really be able to come together around a great cause to be able to support orphan care around the world. But but it's also kind of a way for us to reconnect and reconnect around something that we're passionate about and something that, you know, God's given us to do.

And and so I love your story in that. It's it's kind of the best of all the worlds. Right? Like, there's the there's the Lifeline family part of this. There's the fact that Onin's involved in it and a and a part of it.

And so you really kind of get to to live all sides of that on some level. Yeah. So first of all and and Heather, I think, I'm going to go by the show notes here. This is not this is not me being judgy. I'm just going to tell you, I'm not a runner.

Okay? Like, I want you to know Dante, I want you to know this. Just be confident. If you ever see me running, don't ask. Just run.

Just run. And as long as you can stay ahead of me, you're safer than I am. So, but but no, like, I'm not a runner. That's not that's not something that I'm probably ever gonna do any other time. And Heather, I've kind of heard that that's probably maybe a little of your story as well.

Right?

Absolutely. I have a long history of, races, but always as a cheerleader.

There you go.

My stepfather was a marathon runner.

Wow.

And he ran a 112 marathons. And I went to many many of them. And we would drive around to mile 5. And we'd cheer as loud as we could. Then we would drive to mile 8.

And we would do the same. And so I just have that spirit of these people are amazing that do this. People who push babies in strollers and people who dress up and people, just regular people. So even though I'm not a runner, I wanna be there, you know, telling you're doing a great job.

Right. Right.

You're the first woman who went across the finish line. And you're the first little baby that went across the finish line. And you're the first person with gray hair. Good for you. And so anyway, that that's what I really enjoy.

No. And I but I love that. Like, there's there's a little something for everybody that that's there and and and everybody that, you know, comes to be a part of this event. And whether, you know, whether you're gonna run it, whether you're gonna walk it, whether you're gonna cheer for people that are, you know, that are doing one or the other, there's there's kinda, you know, something for everybody to do and everybody has a role. And, you know, Dante, one of the things that I think is a pretty cool tie into that is just owning and your ethos as a business and, you know, and and what you guys do.

So you're, you know, you're in the business of putting people in the right place and and helping people to to be able to thrive in, you know, in a variety of circumstances. And so, man, tell us a little bit about Onin and and maybe just a little bit about, you know, what kinda sets Onin apart? What's what's the difference in the culture there?

Well, I think what's what sets Onit apart for sure is that we really kinda like walk the walk. You know, we walk the talk that we we put out there. So we we we're all about, you know, empowering people and creating opportunity. We're in the staffing business. Right?

So we're trying to create a win win for our clients, for our teammates, and our really our culture. You know? Our culture is really, I think, what sets us apart. Everybody's very competitive. Everybody's very family oriented.

But, you know, when we have an opportunity to come together for events like this, you really get to see that owning culture shine.

Mhmm.

You

know? So like like Heather said, whether you're cheerleading, serving Gatorade, handing out bananas, you know, helping little kids out doing the fun run, and we've got some serious runners too.

Absolutely. We've got some Absolutely.

Competitive serious runners, and then you have those like myself who I'm not a runner. I and, you know, the only reason I do run is because I oversee our wellness program.

There you go.

You know? And I'm a get out there and try to run a little bit, walk a little bit. But, again, it's, you know, the only culture, man, from from the top down, from our leadership team, all the way down, you know, to, you know, our our own and I saw in the branches across the city and across the country. Everybody gets gets up and galvanizes for great causes. So, you know, this is probably one of the only companies I've been in with a unique culture like this.

Mhmm.

And, again, that is it is faith based. It's about helping kids across the world. So you'd be surprised how people, you know, will get together, you know, outside of work hours. Right?

Right.

This is all voluntary. You know, who wants to get up early on a Saturday morning to go run Mhmm. During football season?

Right. Right.

We've got some folks that are crazy enough to do it. So, again, we've enjoyed it every year. Looking forward to this year's run, but, I mean, that that's that's who Onin is as a company. Right? You know, we are all about family, all about community

Yep.

And, serving those around us for sure.

And I, you know, I think it's a it's a neat marriage and a neat match, the way that Onin has been a part of this for years, because culture is important to us as well. And, you know, one of the things that Lifeline wants to be is we want to be a ministry that is, you know, that is that surrounds the families that we serve, that surrounds the churches that we serve, that is a good partner to come alongside and and to realize that, you know, our I made this observation somebody the other day. Lifeline is a ministry that's all about kids and all about vulnerable kids, but we really don't do anything that actually directly, pours into the life of a vulnerable child. We're serving churches, we're serving families, we're serving, you know, other community entities and people that are that are actually, you know, delving in hands on to the, you know, to the life of a vulnerable child. And so, you you know, Lifeline's come around us as a family.

As as we've parented the kids that came home through adoption, you know, that, Heather, same for you. And and but but the the truth is that part of the culture that we want to, you know, we wanna inhabit here is we we say about ourselves. We tell our team all the time that we're here to be a bridesmaid to the bride of Christ. Right? Like, we're here to come alongside the church so that so that the church and and all the people that make up the church are are able to follow God's call and to do the thing that God has, you know, has has told us that we're supposed to do, which is to to care for children and and to care for them in his name, and to do that on on his behalf as, you know, as his representative.

And and so I just I think there's a there's a neat tie in there. And I and I just wanna point out to folks that are out there, maybe you're listening to the podcast today and you're saying, hey, I'm looking for a way to get my business involved. I wanna have kingdom impact. I want to I want my faith to to be able to, to to impact the the people that work for me or work with me. I wanna also want it to be able to impact, the community.

Well, getting involved with Lifeline in an event like the Run for 1 is a great opportunity to be able to do that. And and it's it's a great way for us to, you know, sort of be able to share that culture that's a a part of who we are with, you know, with your business. And so it's it's awesome to hear that. And and I think, you know, as as I've gotten to know, the owning group over the years, the way that you pour into the people that are part of your team, the way that there's an intentionality about, you know, building up and and coming around and and helping people to find the fullness of who they're created to be. And and that that same passion goes into serving your clients and serving the people that you provide staff for.

But it's also important to do that for the people that that are that are being empowered, that are being sent out, and for the folks that are part of the company that are doing that. And so I just love that it's a 360 degree kinda thing and that that we're able to, you know, share in that. So do you guys have any memorable moments or stories or anything that you can think of from past years where there's, like, a moment that sticks out and you say, this is this is like just this is just fun or cool or whatever?

I have one that I remember. 2 I have 2 boys that just went to college actually on this week. And when they were in middle school, they came with me to the race. They've been to many many races with me. But this year, one of them was playing basketball and the other one was running cross country.

And they said, mom, we wanna we wanna run. And there are quite a few younger ish people Yeah. Work at Onin. Yeah. And my kids decided they wanted to beat some of these athletic

young girls.

So it was just so amazing to see them just going full out as middle school. You guys Yeah.

But it Right. Right.

To beat some of my, my friends and my my coworkers. So it was adorable. We have video of the whole thing. And so it's it was fun to see them there, to see them running, and just just see them in their little run for 1 t shirt.

It's just

my heart is

And there are those serious runners out there. We said that. So there are going to be some folks that are taking it very seriously. My advice is just get out of their way.

Don't mess with them. Let them do.

They come in. You can see them. You can see them when they, you know, like when their shoes pass the door on their car. You just kind of know, alright, they got their game face on. Just leave them alone.

Let them stretch. Let them do whatever, and let them out to the front of the line so they can go ahead and get out of the way. And the rest of us that are just gonna walk it and have fun can actually walk it and have fun. Dante, anything stick out as a as a memory from the past maybe?

I think I enjoy looking at the photos afterwards. Mhmm. So, you know, every year, we we have a photographer on-site that are taking pictures with, know, like I said, we've been doing this a long time with Lifeline. You know, I've only been with Onyx for 3 years. But looking back on past photos, when I see, old pictures of Jim, our CEO, and, like, even, you know, people that have been in Onyx for a long time and looking at their kids and looking at their kids now, and they were at the run for 1 as well.

Yep. Heather's kids are at the run for

the other.

They're out. Everybody's just getting involved. So just looking at people, you know, years years ago and looking at them presently, and it's like, this is a real thing. This is a very annual thing that we do it on. And so, again, our folks enjoy it.

Heather and I are always the first two on the ground.

Yep.

You know? Yep. Got coffee and biscuits out

and then get them set up.

And, you know, she's been a great partner with me. She's first one in, last one out with me as well. So that's why I really enjoy working with Heather on these things, but it's always memorable, you know. And then I've even had people come up to me like, you know what, I'm gonna run it this year. Folks that have never even thought about doing a 5 k.

And it's like, well, I'm not really a runner. You don't have to run. Right? Just put one foot in front of the other. Yep.

And then we have groups of people that come together. Yep. We have groups of runners, groups of walkers. And then like, again, you know, when you cross that finish line, no matter how tired you are, you're gonna find a little extra strength because you got all these random people cheering

That's it. That's it.

Across that finish line, whether you finish the first or last, like, you know, the people in the community make you feel celebrated, know, when you hit that finish line. So that that's memorable for sure.

So one of the memorable things for me is there's there's always this character that's out there. And I is it Onin man? Is that right? Captain McOnin. Captain McOnin?

Yeah. Oh, Captain McOnin head. Okay. Alright. Well, there is like, I can't even begin to describe this person, but but this person is always there and, and has been like a constant representation of Onin.

And it's just hilarious because, like, there's this you guys even bring your own superhero. So that's that's pretty that's pretty amazing. Well, what would you say if somebody's out there, they're kind of on the fence, they're thinking, hey, I might I might wanna be a part of this event. It kind of sounds fun. What would what would you say to maybe push them over the edge and tell them, come on.

Join us.

Well, there's nothing better than doing something, fun or exciting and helping others in the process. I mean, there just isn't. And whether you are, you know, a casual runner and can go out there and actually run the race, or whether you're like me and you just wanna cheer, and be a part of the festivities, just to to do something that is incredibly fun on a Saturday morning, to be with a bunch of people who are trying to make this world a little bit a better place Mhmm. For for children. You just wanna be a part of that.

Absolutely. And, you know, you can come out. You can learn a little bit. We'll have some displays and things set up that'll help you to understand a little bit more about, you know, the world that orphan and vulnerable children are in. And and so it's a way to, you know, for adults and kids and everybody else to just understand a little bit more about the challenge that's out there in the world for us to, you know, to embrace.

And it's it's again just a really fun, wholesome family kind of environment and where everybody's having a great time. There's music, there's fun, there's food, there's, you know, there's a little bit of everything. And everybody gets a t shirt. Yep. And that's not a bad deal.

Even even the folks that are that if you're in the run where you are category and you're doing our virtual run, you get a t shirt too. We'll drop it in the mail. It'll be there to you. If you register early enough, if you get it done here the next few days, it'll actually, it'll actually be to you before, you know, before the run to come. So you can even pull a group of people together, run together, and you can even do the matchy matchy thing if you want to.

We have, we have branches in almost 25 states. And so we have people that are that are doing that run where you are from all over Omen. But, you know, here in Birmingham is our headquarters. So there's there's a huge contingent of us that that come out with our families, our mothers, our children, and we support it here on the ground here too.

Well, and if you watch the hashtag run for 15 k and and watch that on Instagram and and Twitter and all the, you know, kind of all the social media channels, you'll see on that day that there'll be pictures from people all over the country and all over the world that are running. And most of the days, by the time, you know, we've gotten up and and, you know, we've had our run, there have been people in Uganda. There have been people in, you know, all kinds of places that have run. At one point, you know, several years ago, we had we had a group of folks and they were, you know, like they were running and had the Great Wall of China in their, you know, in their picture that that they were able to do. And so you'll, you know, you'll see families and people from all over the world that are, you know, that are engaged.

And, and again, that's just a that's just a neat part of the the thing that the Lord allows us to be able to do. And so y'all, thank you so much for the opportunity to sit down with you and and talk a little bit. Thank you for your involvement with The Run. And, we are just so appreciative of, the Onin Group and our partnership and and what we've been able to do over the years. And and we truly couldn't do this event.

It wouldn't be what it is without you. And so thanks so much for, your involvement with us.

We're so happy to be a part of it. We really are.

Happy to be a part of it. And and thank you all for being an organization who is, you know, looking out for, you know, unadopted and and vulnerable children across the world. Again, if you didn't know anything about it, I'll tell anybody, man. It's a great organization, great time to come out and and, again, you know, focus on your wellness and also just, you know, serve Christ at the same time. So

That's awesome. Well, Heather, Dante, thank you for for joining me, and, thank you for all of you that have listened in again for another episode of the Defender podcast. We will be right back here again next week. And until that time, we just want to challenge you to do something on behalf of an orphan or vulnerable child. Do something, with the way that you pray and the way that you give or the way that you go this week, in order to be able to serve.

And, and maybe pray about whether the run for 1, is coming up as an opportunity for you to be able to do that. So I'm Rick Morton. Thanks again for joining us on the Defender podcast.

Thanks for listening to the Defender podcast. If you enjoy making this podcast a part of your weekly routine, we'd love for you to take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the Defender podcast to make it easier for more people to find. For more information on how you and your church can partner with Lifeline, visit us at lifelinechild.org. If you want to connect with me, please visit herbynewell.com. Follow us at Lifeline on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter by searching for Lifeline Child.

You can email us directly at info at lifeline child dotorg. Beloved, will you allow god to use the gospel to you to impact the life of a child? Please contact us because we are here to defend the fatherless. We'll see you again next week for the Defender podcast.