In 1997, our family first hosted a child from the Chernobyl area in our home. That was helpful and extraordinary for the Belarusian child Margarita, but I wanted to give more children an opportunity for health and hope. Therefore, “Tender Love for Children,” a nonprofit corporation, was founded in 1998. TLC sponsored camps to bring hope to these precious children living under the lingering, ominous shadow of history’s worst nuclear disaster. TLC continues to work with orphans in Belarus. However, our vision has expanded to also minister to needy children at home and worldwide. And we bring to these children the gift of joy and the gift of music.

Carolyn Anne Venable, President & Founder, Tender Love for Children

A Chronology

1996 – God gives me the vision for helping the Children of Chernobyl.
Summer 1997 – The Venable family hosted Margarita through Children of Chernobyl.
1998 – Tender Love for Children founded.
Summer 1998 – The Venable family hosted Margarita.
Fall 1998 – Carolyn Venable and Deborah Meyers scouted out a suitable camp in France.
Summer 1999 – TLC sponsored seventeen children for three weeks for the Children of Chernobyl in Gerardmer, France.
Summer 2000 – The Venable family hosted Margarita.
Fall 2001 – Carolyn Venable visited Minsk and scouted out a suitable camp for the Children of Chernobyl in Slovakia. See “Mama Luda”.
Summer 2002 – Mission trip to Poland, Slovakia, & Latvia. TLC sponsored 34 Children of Chernobyl for three weeks in Slovakia.

2003 – Children’s Pastor at Korean Church in Houston
2004 – TLC sends financial support to a children’s camp in Latvia. First website set-up. Mission trip to Spain, France, & Italy.
2005 – TLC begins sponsoring an orphan in Belarus through Children of Chernobyl NC. (Now, through Show God’s Love)
2006 – Carolyn Venable visits orphanages in Israel, Belarus, and India.
Summer 2008 – Carolyn Venable visits orphanages in Belarus & Vyborg.
Fall 2008 – TLC begins sponsoring an orphan in India through Show God’s Love.

July 2009 – TLC sponsors a camp for children from Houston  at a ranch in Flatonia, Texas

August 2009 –  Granny Vee and Phil the Frog throw a “birthday party” for Navajo children in New Mexico through Foundry UMC.

August 2009 – TLC hosts a young girl from Belarus for a summer respite.

January 2010 – Delight 2000 children on “Show God’s Love” trip to orphanages and schools  in India.

Summer 2010 – Friendly Phil the Frog’s Central American Tour to Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Summer 2010 – Friendly Phil the Frog at Santa Monica Pier & in Hollywood

Early Fall 2010 – Mission trip to Dearborn, MI (RE: Islam)

Spring 2011- May 12 – June 1– Mission Trip to Germany (Inga), Poland, and Belarus

TLC no longer a 501c3 charity (1998-2011) but still going on mission trips.

Fall 2011 – Sept 21– Oct 12 Mission trip to Israel

March 2014 – Mission trip to Israel

Sending music & puppets to ministries in Africa and elsewhere.

September 2017 – mission trip to Israel.

October -November 2019 – Mission trip to undisclosed places.  Handing out books and puppets.

2020 – Published “O Little Tower of Bethlehem” and got it on YouTube on Nisan 1 (March 26)

2020, 2021 (during COVID) Leading worship & Bible study in Austin, TX

2024 – Leading Bible Study at facility for abused girls.