DJ Rowell Foundation

Photos provided by the DJ Rowell Foundation

Enhancing the Quality of Life for Local Children

Gratefully, the holidays help to bring local nonprofit organizations to light. There’s a certain spirit in the air that encourages us to not only focus on giving to the ones we love but also to those that are less fortunate or are facing uncertainties. While focusing on fulfilling his own career dreams, local celebrity DJ Rowell has discovered how to also serve the community that helped shape him into the man he has become. David L. Rowell is a Marion, South Carolina, native. He graduated from Marion High School in 2011 where he played varsity basketball for four years before obtaining an athletic scholarship to Ohio Valley University. After college, DJ was fortunate enough to intern with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and later turned his interests to entertainment. Since then, DJ has successfully started a podcast and landed a lead role in the December 2020 debate of "Christmas in Carolina." DJ has also appeared in two more feature films, “Gaslight” and “Merry Little Switchmas.” As DJ's career goals were finding success, he was ready to focus some of his efforts on the betterment of children growing up in his hometown of Marion. He formed The DJ Rowell Foundation to enhance the quality of life in children through experiences and physical activity, specifically basketball. The Rockem Experience Camp is held in Marion annually and fully sponsors nearly 170 children to attend the week-long basketball camp. During the start of Covid-19, the camp was put on hold and DJ found himself looking for other avenues to still fulfill the need of area children. While on tour, DJ met a child who had been diagnosed with cancer. “He was such an incredible kid, with a spirit that could light up the entirety of New York Square,” said DJ. “I thought about how children like him, who are warriors, who fight every day for the chance of normalcy and of just being a kid, where the only expectation of a day should be to have fun. They need to know that people care. They need to know that they matter because their battles, in turn, will illuminate in understanding the smaller significant things in life that truly matter – each other.” That’s when DJ and his team decided to bring Christmas cheer to children that were hospitalized during the holidays. This new opportunity to give came packaged in a backpack and began last Christmas. DJ and his team pack items such as stuffed animals, tablets, coloring books, crayons, tissues, hand wipes, lotion, toothbrushes, toys, books, pencils, board games,

This year they will serve eight hospitals throughout South Carolina and have already collected over 400 backpacks at the time of this interview. “Our mission is to provide backpacks statewide, snowballing into a nationwide service and eventually catapulting globally,” DJ states.

pajamas, and of course a small DJ Foundation FRIENDS t-shirt into each backpack. The backpack symbolizes Santa’s big red velvety sack. The children continuously reach into the bag and pull out a gift just as Santa does! DJ along with the Foundations Vice President Jalisa Washington, Secretary Courtney Davis, and Board Member Michael Eaddy had the opportunity to hand-deliver these gifts last year. DJ described the moment as “AMAZING!” He said, “The moment was fulfilling both physically and emotionally. The smiles we received from children warmed the heart like a kettle on the stove. We were absolutely honored to give the backpacks filled with love, care, and a bunch of personalized goodies.” Last year, the Foundation donated 155 backpacks to four area hospitals including McLeod Children’s Hospital in Florence. This year they will serve eight hospitals throughout South Carolina and have already collected over 400 backpacks at the time of this interview. “Our mission is to provide backpacks statewide, snowballing into a nationwide service and eventually catapulting globally,” DJ states. Through partners, funding, fundraisers, donors, sponsors, and some personal investment, DJ and his team are able to supply items for the backpacks. “We LOVE what we do,” says DJ. “Giving to me is something that allows me to show my appreciation. Marion is home; it is a place that will forever be near and dear to my heart. I was groomed here and taught the fundamentals of life before entering the outside world. Marion gave me humble beginnings; it’s truly a place like no other and gave me my very first true sense of making impactful memorable moments with people. This is where my first leading role was, right in Swamp Fox territory.” DJ is a dreamer and optimist who believes all things are possible with consistency, a strong work ethic, and a pure passion for impact. Today, the DJ Rowell Foundation has served over 1,000 kids through its programs and is growing to become fully sponsored. DJ shares, “Serving through the Foundation has been rewarding in every aspect. To know your vision, heart, and intention are all in alignment to make a positive impact on impressionable children is incredible." However, DJ is aware that he couldn’t do this without the support of others willing to give their time, make monetary donations, or gather supplies. Please join us in helping to further the DJ Rowell Foundation programs by visiting djrowellfoundation. org and clicking the “Donate” page. You can also email djrowellfoundation@gmail.com for information on drop-offs and other giving opportunities.