Beyond the Booth: Faith, Favor, and Youth Leadership at the Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival

We Gave Them an Opportunity to Serve. They Showed Us They Were Ready to Lead.

October 16–18, 2026 | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

My heart is FULL! 💙

As I reflect on this past weekend at the 10th Annual Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival, I am beyond overjoyed, overwhelmed with gratitude, and incredibly proud of everything we experienced and accomplished.

What began as an opportunity for Precious Holistic Touch Foundation Inc. to bring awareness to mental wellness during National Depression Education and Awareness Month became so much more.

It became a weekend of leadership, service, exposure, fellowship, personal growth, and unexpected blessings.

And as much as I enjoyed connecting with the community, what brought me the greatest joy was witnessing the confidence and growth of the young ladies who accompanied me.

We went to Myrtle Beach with a mission, but God had so much more in store for us!

Giving Our Youth Room to Lead

From the beginning, I wanted this experience to be intentional.

I wanted our youth to have an opportunity to travel, serve, engage with people from different walks of life, and understand what it means to represent an organization and advocate for their community.

Most importantly, I wanted them to participate without the financial burden of doing so.

Our Depression Awareness and Mental Wellness booth was designed to create an inviting space where festival attendees could engage in conversations about emotional well-being, music, encouragement, and community support.

We incorporated interactive activities, including our Mood Check-In Board, Music and Mental Wellness Board, affirmations, and educational resources.

But one of my proudest moments happened when the girls decided to take our mission beyond the booth!

Instead of waiting for attendees to approach us, they stepped out into the festival crowd, carrying our signs, approaching people, and sharing mental wellness education and encouragement.

They confidently engaged with individuals, introduced our mission, and offered inspirational affirmations.

And the beautiful thing about those affirmations is that they were created and provided by students from the Kelly Mill Middle School INC program!

What an incredible example of youth supporting youth!

Students who were not physically present at the festival were still able to contribute to our outreach and positively impact others through the work of their peers.

Watching these young ladies take initiative reminded me that leadership is not always about having a title.

Sometimes leadership is simply having the courage to step forward.

They were not waiting for me to tell them what to do.

They were taking ownership.

They were ambassadors. They were advocates. They were leaders in action.

And I could not have been prouder!

Our Mission Reached Beyond the Festival Crowd!

Another exciting highlight of the weekend was the opportunity to participate in a radio interview with Radio Baha’i WLGl 90.9 during the Jazz Festival!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0233rAmBCHVUFh1aFAHsxnRoXdptrbjRpDwYTBb4sZbyCGk7TG8GvHe6V4j8AY3Ndl&id=100046135097811&mibextid=wwXIfr

What an incredible opportunity to share the work of Precious Holistic Touch Foundation Inc. and bring greater visibility to our mental wellness outreach.

As a nonprofit organization, opportunities like this are meaningful because they allow our message to extend beyond the individuals we encounter face-to-face.

They also demonstrate to our youth the importance of showing up, being prepared, and recognizing opportunities to advocate for causes that matter.

I hope this experience reminded them that their voices, contributions, and efforts belong in spaces where important community conversations are happening.

Sometimes showing up with purpose opens doors you never anticipated.

And I am grateful for every opportunity that allowed our mission to reach someone new.

To the Parents: Thank You for Trusting Me!

One of the most touching parts of this entire experience was hearing the gratitude expressed by the parents.

To know that parents could see the confidence their children walked in after this weekend meant more to me than I can adequately express.

As a mother myself, I understand that allowing your child to travel and participate in an overnight experience requires a tremendous amount of trust.

You are entrusting someone with what is most precious to you.

And I do not take that responsibility lightly.

To every parent who entrusted me with your daughter for this experience, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Thank you for believing in the vision, supporting their participation, and allowing them to experience something beyond their everyday environments.

Hearing your appreciation and knowing that you recognized something different in your children upon their return was confirmation that this experience accomplished something meaningful.

We often talk about developing confident young leaders, but there is something entirely different about watching that confidence come to life.

These young ladies returned home with more than community service hours.

They returned with experiences, memories, exposure, strengthened communication skills, and a greater understanding of what they are capable of accomplishing.

And to me, that is priceless.

Behind the Scenes: A Special Thank You to My Dad!

Now, I absolutely have to take a moment to acknowledge someone who was instrumental in making this entire experience possible.

My dad, Lyndon Dear, who also serves as Treasurer and a Board Member of Precious Holistic Touch Foundation Inc.

Because when I tell you my dad held things down this weekend, HE HELD THINGS DOWN! 💙

Before the youth and I even arrived in Myrtle Beach, my dad drove up the day before the event to claim our booth space and set up our tent.

He helped secure our location, manage logistics, and make sure we had what we needed to operate throughout the weekend.

And when the wind decided it wanted to take our tent somewhere else, my dad was right there making sure it stayed in place!

When our car battery died, guess who came through with a jump?

My dad!

He also made it possible for us to utilize his timeshare at discounted rates so that everyone had a comfortable place to sleep and rest after our long days.

From securing our spot and helping with setup to handling unexpected challenges and making sure we were comfortable, he remained dependable and supportive throughout the entire experience.

These are the behind-the-scenes contributions that people may never see when they look at pictures of a successful event.

But I see them.

And I am so incredibly grateful.

Dad, thank you for believing in the vision, showing up, and making sure we had what we needed to carry out the mission.

You didn’t just serve as a board member this weekend. You served as a father, a supporter, a problem-solver, and a true example of servant leadership.

I love you, and I appreciate you more than words can express!

God’s Provision Was Present Every Step of the Way!

I cannot reflect on this weekend without acknowledging the goodness and favor of God!

Because when I tell you God made provision throughout this trip, I mean it!

My desire was to provide an experience where the youth could participate without having to worry about the cost of transportation, lodging, or activities.

And throughout the weekend, I witnessed unexpected blessings that helped make that possible.

While dining at NHOP, our waitress graciously provided a 50% discount on our bill!

We also received discounted admission to a haunted house, allowing the girls to enjoy another fun experience together without the full expense.

And through my father’s generosity and support, we had comfortable accommodations at a discounted rate.

Every discount, every act of kindness, and every person who helped make this experience possible mattered.

These may seem like small things to some, but to me, they were reminders of God’s provision.

God did not simply provide an opportunity for us to serve. He made provision for us to enjoy the journey along the way.

And I am grateful!

I have learned that when you step forward in faith, you may not always know how every detail will come together.

But this weekend reminded me to continue trusting God with the vision and remaining grateful for the people He places along the way.

Leadership, Service, and a Little Fun!

While we traveled to Myrtle Beach with a mission, I also wanted the girls to enjoy being young.

Leadership development does not always have to take place in a classroom or through a formal workshop.

Sometimes it happens around a dinner table, during a road trip, through a new experience, or while navigating unfamiliar environments together.

Our time outside the festival was just as valuable.

We shared meals, laughed, enjoyed activities, and created memories.

Those moments of fellowship helped build relationships and gave the girls opportunities to connect beyond their assigned responsibilities.

I believe there is tremendous value in exposing young people to experiences that allow them to learn, serve, and simply enjoy life.

We can teach responsibility while still making room for joy.

Measuring Success Beyond the Dollar Amount

We entered the Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival with a fundraising goal of $5,000 to support future community outreach opportunities through Precious Holistic Touch Foundation Inc.

At the conclusion of the weekend, we had raised $343.

And while we did not reach our financial goal, I am not discouraged.

Our fundraising efforts will continue throughout October, but I refuse to measure the success of this experience solely by the amount of money raised.

We created a platform for youth leadership.

We brought awareness to mental wellness.

We connected with community members, both at our booth and throughout the festival grounds.

We shared affirmations created by students at Kelly Mill Middle School.

We gained exposure through a radio interview.

We strengthened relationships.

We witnessed confidence develop.

And we returned home with grateful parents who could see the difference this experience made in their children.

Those are outcomes worth celebrating!

Impact cannot always be measured by the amount of money raised. Sometimes it is measured by the confidence developed, the conversations started, and the opportunities created.

Three Generations. One Mission. A Legacy of Service.

As I look back at the pictures from this weekend, one thing stands out to me.

My father was there supporting the mission, making sure everything was in place behind the scenes.

I was there leading the outreach, creating opportunities, and pouring into the next generation.

And the youth were there, stepping forward, finding their voices, and learning what it means to serve others.

Three generations.

One mission.

A shared commitment to service, leadership, and leaving a legacy.

This is what building something meaningful looks like to me.

It is not simply about organizing events or checking boxes.

It is about creating opportunities for others to grow, empowering young people to recognize their potential, and demonstrating that leadership and service are responsibilities we can carry together.

And what a blessing it is to witness that across generations!

A Heart Full of Gratitude

To our youth: I am beyond proud of you! Thank you for showing up, stepping outside your comfort zones, embracing your assignments, and representing Precious Holistic Touch Foundation with such confidence. You demonstrated that young people are capable of making a meaningful impact right now.

To our parents: Thank you for trusting me, believing in our mission, and allowing your children to be part of this experience. Your words of gratitude and encouragement mean so much.

To the Kelly Mill Middle School INC program: Thank you for creating and sharing affirmations that allowed our youth to spread encouragement throughout the festival. Your contributions helped extend the impact of this outreach beyond our booth.

To my dad: Thank you for being there before we arrived, throughout the event, and whenever something unexpected happened. Your commitment, generosity, and willingness to serve made a difference.

To our Foundation board members: Thank you for continuing to support the mission and the opportunities we are creating for our youth.

To Radio Baha’i WLGl 90.9: Thank you for the opportunity to share our mission and the importance of community mental wellness.

To the individuals and businesses who extended kindness and unexpected discounts throughout our trip: Thank you. Your generosity helped make a meaningful weekend even more special.

To everyone who donated, shared our fundraiser, visited our booth, encouraged our youth, or helped spread awareness: We appreciate you!

And above all, thank You, God, for Your protection, provision, favor, and faithfulness throughout this entire experience.

This Is Why We Do the Work

As the founder of Precious Holistic Touch Foundation Inc., my desire has always been to create opportunities that nurture mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, and environmental well-being.

I believe our young people deserve access to experiences that help them recognize their potential, develop leadership skills, and discover the value of serving others.

This weekend reminded me that sometimes the greatest impact is not found in what we give someone, but in what an experience awakens within them.

Confidence.

Courage.

Purpose.

Connection.

A willingness to step forward and lead.

I returned home exhausted, grateful, and completely overjoyed.

And I would do it all again!

Because when I think about the young ladies who returned home with greater confidence, the parents who recognized their growth, and the doors that opened along the way, I know this weekend was worth every bit of preparation, sacrifice, and effort.

We went to Myrtle Beach to serve our community, but we returned having grown ourselves.

And that is the beauty of holistic wellness and servant leadership.

It’s All Connected.™

With love, gratitude, and purpose,

Precious Dear, MSN, RN

Founder & President, Precious Holistic Touch Foundation Inc.

Help Us Continue Creating Opportunities

Our fundraising campaign continues throughout October!

Our Goal: $5,000 Raised: $343 Still Needed: $4,657

Every donation helps Precious Holistic Touch Foundation Inc. continue providing community outreach, holistic wellness education, and meaningful youth leadership opportunities.

Donate or share our campaign: https://www.preciousholistictouch.com/general-9-1

Follow our journey on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@phtfoundation