On Monday, December 5th, the Edisto Island Open Land Trust (EIOLT) presented the Edisto Island Home Mission Team with a donation of $12,800, thanks to the sponsors and a record 500 people who attended the land trust’s annual oyster roast held October 30, which became a fund raiser for those affected by considerable damage from Hurricane Matthew. 

Hundreds of tickets had already been sold for the annual oyster roast prior to the storm, so when the decision was made to continue to host the event in spite of the hurricane, the land trust decided that proceeds for storm relief efforts on Edisto Island should go to the many in need instead of the traditional land conservation measures these proceeds had gone toward for the prior 15 years.   

EIOLT Executive Director, John Girault explained. “The land trust embraces the concept of a whole community, and with the storm damage impacting so many people on the island whom we knew did not have the financial resources to repair their homes, we selected the Edisto Island Home Mission Team as the right choice to receive the proceeds from our event.”  The Home Mission Team formed fifteen years ago to help ensure a safe living space for fellow residents of Edisto Island.  They provide roofs that do not leak, floors that are safe to walk on, windows that can open and close, and doors that will shut.

Dave Blauch, a volunteer with the Edisto Island Home Mission Team, noted, "I believe that serving the needs of others in our own community is the most important gift that we can make and the generous donation received from The Edisto Island Open Land Trust will help us share our resources and support to a bigger group of our fellow residents."   Since the hurricane October 8, the group has already repaired or replaced the roofs on three damaged homes on the island, bringing their total number of homes repaired to over 25 for the current year. 

The Edisto Island Open Land Trust (EIOLT) is Edisto Island’s community based land trust.  EIOLT was founded in 1994 as a non-profit conservation organization.  Along with many other conservation partners, the land trust has successfully helped preserve over 50% of Edisto’s natural lands for future generations.  EIOLT is a nationally accredited land trust in South Carolina with a mission “To preserve and protect lands, scenic vistas, heritage, and conservation resources of Edisto Island for future generations including education and outreach.”  More information can be found at www.edisto.org.

The Edisto Island Home Mission Team is a diverse ecumenical group committed to Home/Domestic Mission Work on Edisto Island. They have an application, review and approval process for Edisto residents to request assistance.  To contact the Edisto Island Home Team, send an email to edistomissionteam@yahoo.com