• February 09th, 2010

• Author:

  leahgrove

Echota homeowners are known for their generosity. They freely donate their time and money to state and local organizations, and they promote awareness to causes worthy of the spotlight. Continuing in this tradition, last year Echota on the Ridge homeowners Ed and Cathy Owner formed the Echota chapter of the Grandparents’ Club and now serve as local leaders of the statewide fundraising group benefiting the boys and girls of Banner Elk’s Grandfather Home for Children.

Founded as an orphanage in 1941, Grandfather Home has grown to foster the needs of children with backgrounds of sexual abuse, neglect, and multiple placement failures. At the recommendation of mental health counselors and social services workers, children from across North Carolina leave behind harmful family and living situations to take part in a wide range of treatment programs and services offered by the nationally accredited Grandfather Home.

“When Cathy and I took a look at Grandfather Home and learned the needs of these kids, we knew we wanted to be a part of their healing,” explains Ed. The Owens learned that by serving Grandparents’ Club chapter hosts, they could help raise funds for specialized services that that allow staff the flexibility to address each child’s individual needs. Charitable gifts to the organization are 100% tax deductible and enable children to attend summer camp, receive specialized medical attention, pursue a hobby or interest, go on their first vacation, and purchase clothing or other times that become their personal property.

“Our overall goal here is to give these boys and girls the skills necessary to be successful members of a family,” says Executive Director Jim Swinkola. In reaching that goal, Swinkola believes it is important to help each child recognize his or her own worth. “It’s so important that these kids understand that there are people out there who care about them and their quality of life.”

The Owens organized Echota’s chapter of Grandparents’ Club in 2007 and sent letters to other homeowners who quickly responded in support. “We received great response from our neighbors here,” says Ed.

“These children often have no extended family,” says Swinkola. “This is a way to help substitute for that, and through the eyes of our children, Grandparents’ Club has been a tremendous success.”

For more information on how you can help with the Echota chapter of the Grandparents’ Club, call Ed & Cathy Owen at (828) 963-6112 or contact Grandfather Home for Children directly at (828) 898-5465.