Recently, we showcased the Good Neighbor Center on the show. Sometimes when we have these great segments I feel like a viewer at home...I am learning just as much as you are and I think "Wow, I didn't even know about that!". And that's how I felt recently during the GNC segment. When I set up the segment with Nancy, their executive director, I expected to have a nice chat but when she came to the studio she brought along a man, Timothy. He walked up to me on set, stuck out his hand and gave me a big smile while he introduced himself...Timothy wasn't the development director or marketing coordinator for the Good Neighbor Center....he a resident of the GNC and he came to LCL to tell his story, all I could think was "This is a good man". 

The Good Neighbor Center houses homeless veterans in the heart of North Charleston. Veterans become homeless for numerous reasons...From the Trident United Way Website "Our primary goal is to assist the homeless veteran in their efforts to reclaim, rebuild and rediscover their lives and happiness, and to help them become productive self sufficient members of the community. The vast majority of our residents are single, most come from a poor and disadvantaged environment, and approximately half have substance abuse issues; however over 50% have been able to combat their addiction and maintained a sober lifestyle. More than 67% of our veteran clients served our country for three years or more and 43% are Vietnam Era Veterans. Overall, the success rate of our program is 47% which is well above the average success rate of 22%."

Timothy told of how he started losing his vision and began living in the woods in North Charleston...he went into a local drugstore often and became friends with one of the workers who told him about the GNC. Turns out, Timothy was losing his vision to cataracts, which are easily remedied. He now has 20/20 vision. I don't know all the reasons why Timothy lived in the woods and why he didn't get help earlier,  I could care less, I was just so impressed by his genuine kind soul. We all have our hard times in life, after my best friend Peyton was murdered it was hard for me to carry on day to day functions and I was lucky enough to have those around me to help me out of the darkest hole I've ever been in. So in a way I feel a small connection to Timothy....I've never fought in a war or even been in the armed forces but at one point or another, Timothy felt very alone, and I know what that's like. I'm so happy that I got to meet him and I hope one day, he can have an apartment on his own. He's still living at the GNC and goes to work everyday at Wal-Mart. Timothy and the others who live at the GNC, all served our country and fought for our freedom and hopefully, we can find a way to give back.
The Good Neighbor Center wants to expand their living facilities to add more veterans but they need our help...they need $$ donations and other things for their center. If you would like to help...here's their info.

1905 Burton Ln
Charleston, SC 29405-8315
(843) 566-1878

So just when you think I know exactly what I'm doing on the show...you can laugh & smile and realize that like you, I'm learning something new every day.