Over the years, her ventures have championed countless causes, but this year she has chosen the Payton Foundation. That commitment deepened after a recent journey to Africa, where she witnessed the foundation’s work firsthand.
“My values align with those of the Payton Foundation,” Lauren said. “They don’t just manage funds; they build real relationships with donors, with charity partners, with the people on the ground. Their work is as much about connection as it is about impact.”
Travelling with CEO David Payton gave Lauren an insight into the foundation’s mission. “Seeing these places made me profoundly grateful for my own life,” she said. “But it also gave me a front-row seat to David’s passion and why the foundation does the work it does. So inspiring.”
For Lauren, the experience carried a sense of responsibility. When her customers and clients support fundraising through her businesses, she sees their contributions as part of a shared mission. “I was blown away by the big differences even small amounts of money can make in people’s lives.”
Two projects in particular left an impression. In Kenya, Lauren visited one of the world’s largest slums, where families raising children with intellectual disabilities face unimaginable challenges. With little government support, scarce employment, and social stigma, survival often takes precedence over education. Since 2019, the Payton Foundation has backed a scholarship program for siblings of children with disabilities, ensuring they receive education and nutrition. What began with 31 children has grown to more than 180.
“When I saw the pride in their appearance and the smiles on their faces, I understood the ripple effect,” Lauren said. “It’s not just about school fees; it’s about dignity, opportunity, and hope for an entire family.”
She also visited Watoto Villages in Uganda, family-style homes where orphaned and vulnerable children are raised by Watoto mothers. Each mother cares for many children as well as her own. “These children don’t just have a roof over their heads. They have a family, health care, education, and importantly they have love. It’s extraordinary to see how their sense of worth and potential grows in that environment.”
One story she will never forget came from a home visit in Kenya. David prayed for a young girl who had never spoken, and in that moment she began making sounds for the first time. “Hearing David’s account deeply moved me,” Lauren said. “It was a reminder of how faith, connection and hope can create breakthrough moments, even in the most difficult circumstances.”
Another encounter involved a baby born with a cleft palate. The child’s young mother, barely 15, was struggling to feed her malnourished daughter. Thanks to the fund, the baby received life-changing surgery, transforming both their futures.
Since returning home, Lauren feels more motivated than ever. “It makes me want to do more – not just raising funds, but connecting people in my network whose skills can make a difference. Everyone has something to give, and once you see the impact up close, you can’t help but want to be part of it.”
The Payton Foundation’s mission is to empower people out of long-term poverty. For Lauren, that mission has become personal, one that now shapes how she encourages her community to embrace the power of generosity.
“Above all, this experience has reshaped my values around what truly matters: love, security, and safety for those we hold dear. That’s something we can all understand, whether we live in Mornington or a village across the world.”
Lauren Wild is the publisher of Mornington Peninsula Magazine.
