I have a great job. I awake each day looking forward to the events that await me. There are challenges that evolve into rewards; there are problems that find solutions; and there are questions that wait for answers. For the past 4 ½  years, I have had the privilege to serve as Executive Director of the East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) and see lives change. Since Hurricane Hugo, ECCO has focused on neighbors.... neighbors who have needs, neighbors who have time, neighbors who hurt, neighbors who care, neighbors in need and neighbors indeed. And, I appreciate this monthly opportunity to share with our readers the efforts of ECCO and the many people who reach out and touch other neighbors.... "Neighbors ‘in Deed’ touching ‘Neighbors in Need’."

We want as many people as possible to know about our efforts and over the past months we have shared with you the people, the service, the opportunity, the success, the joy, the concern, the care and the compassion that is the life blood of ECCO.

Each month I wonder what I will write about and each month there are new and exciting events, efforts, and experiences that take place in the lives of those who give and those who receive. Today I want to share with you two stories that validate what I just wrote. One is about a third-grade girl who demonstrates at an early age what I observe from East Cooper neighbors on a daily basis. The other story is about a wonderful organization whose decision to join with ECCO will make a significant impact on countless lives in need.

First, hear the story of Caitlin Maher, who is a student at Christ Our King- Stella Maris School. When I share with you the substance of e-mails I exchanged with her and her mother, it will demonstrate the message of ECCO’s mission—Neighbors Helping Neighbors. You will hear the story just as it unfolded and have the same experience I have with so many people, which now includes a young student who at a very early age has learned how to be a good neighbor. 

Caitlin’s mother, Jennifer, who is an assistant kindergarten teacher at Christ Our King-Stella Maris School, contacted me to tell me that her daughter wanted to "propose" a program to me. Jennifer explained that after Caitlin heard our Lt. Governor had compared children who receive free school lunch to stray animals and then saw the two beautiful homeless sisters at our county spelling bee in the newspaper. She wondered what happens to those children when there is no free school lunch. She also wondered if these children would have access to a library to get their summer reading done.  

Jennifer said Caitlin had an idea--a plan, a solution--that sounded like the kind of thing ECCO might be willing to help her do. Her idea was to be a good neighbor by asking to work with ECCO to have an end-of-school (May) food drive of non-perishable food items for lunches (i.e., granola bars, peanut butter, single-serve applesauce, etc. Please read our ad elsewhere in this issue for a complete list) and to collect new and gently used books to address the "summer reading" issue. The books and food would be packed in beach bags provided by Caitlin’s family and picked up at ECCO by any child with a family on free lunch or just having hard times.

Caitlen’s mother assured me that there would be no cost to ECCO because Caitlin had a plan that would involve more "Neighbors" willing to help. This 10-year-old "good neighbor" would reach out to all of the East Cooper schools, public and private, and encourage kids and parents to be "Good Neighbors" by supporting their fellow students. Jennifer said to me, "it would be an opportunity to turn a negative comment made in our state to a positive movement and give students a chance to feel empathy and compassion for one another as the school year ends."

The thought that comes to mind is that being a good neighbor begins at an early age. Jennifer’s e-mail to me closed with "Please let us know if this is something ECCO would support." Caitlin would like to call the program "Lunch Buddies." I must confess that these words, this example, this ten-year-old and her loving mother and their request for support from ECCO are one of the best examples of "good neighbors" that I have ever heard, and I assure you that you will hear more about "Lunch Buddies." Finally, if you would like to participate by helping Caitlin and Jennifer and ECCO complete this effort, let me hear from you.

The second story about wonderful neighbors who care comes in the form of the largest grant that ECCO has ever received in its 20 year history. The Sisters of Mercy Foundation has given ECCO a grant in the amount of $170,060 over the next two years. The funds come as we enter a crucial time in our Out of Poverty Initiative. These funds will support our programs that continue our commitment to be Good Neighbors in helping people experience economic security.   

These are two stories of ECCO neighbors--a ten-year-old fifth-grader and a 20 year old organization that have the same theme… Neighbors Helping Neighbors.

Thanks to neighbors who care and act on that care. I invite any and all who wish to know more about ECCO and its neighbors to contact me––jlittle@eccocharleston.org to schedule a time for a tour of our facility, and to share in the blessing of Neighbors Helping Neighbors like Caitlin Maher and The Sisters of Mercy.