About Us
Bringing Light to Communities in need.
About CandL-el
CandL-el was inspired by the vision and compassion of Charles and Laura Fortenberry, who spent years living around the world and extending a helping hand to those in need. Their dream to bring light to communities where even hope is in short supply was deeply rooted in their Christian faith and love for others. That dream was carried forward by their children—Ed, Adrienne, and Otis—who formally established CandL-el as a nonprofit to honor their parents’ legacy.
The name “CandL-el” is drawn from Charles and Laura’s initials, but it holds a deeper meaning—like a candle, the organization exists to light the way for others. Today, Ed, Adrienne, and Otis serve as co-presidents of the nonprofit, focusing on sustainable, meaningful projects that empower individuals and uplift communities. Guided by faith and family values, CandL-el continues to grow its impact while staying true to the heart of its mission.
Core Values
- We Are Humble: we undertake projects to bring light to others, not to bring glory to ourselves.
- We Help Our Neighbors: it is not our job to judge our fellow man or woman, we will offer our support wherever it is needed.
- We Make a Difference: we are not all equal, either in what we can give or what we need. Our projects will always be designed to empower and have impact.
Our Impact
We are a new nonprofit, but we are already having an impact with projects spread across three countries. These projects include installing an irrigation system in Thailand, supporting a missionary in Curaçao, and providing educational materials to orphanages in Thailand and Bangladesh.
Where We Work
CandL-el intends to be present wherever help is needed most. Charles and Laura Fortenberry lived and traveled extensively across the globe, witnessing firsthand that human need knows no borders. From rural villages to bustling cities, they saw that hardship exists everywhere, often hidden, sometimes overwhelming, but always deserving of compassion and action. Their life experiences shaped the core of our mission: to serve others, not based on geography, but on need.
Our Christian values guide every decision we make. We believe we are called to go where help is needed, not to wait passively for requests to come to us. It is our duty to reach out, just as Jesus did, meeting people where they are and offering hope, care, and practical support.
While our earliest work has focused on international projects, such as supporting communities in Thailand, Curaçao, and Bangladesh. We are also committed to addressing urgent needs right here in the United States. Whether it’s aiding families after natural disasters, supporting individuals through personal crises, or simply being a source of strength for those facing hard times, CandL-el is here to help, faithfully, compassionately, and without hesitation.