CHARLESTON—As anyone who walks outside knows, the city is a brutally hot place right now, with temperatures in the high 90s and a heat index of 105 or more.
Neighborhood House Community Outreach has long been concerned about how people in its area cope with possible overheating and dehydration, especially those with no way to escape the blazing sun during the day.
So when a Boy Scout called them up looking for ideas to help him earn his Eagle Scout badge, director Nikki Grimball said they immediately agreed to help.
Many months, and miles of red tape later, Neighborhood House’s Centennial Fountain, celebrating the outreach’s 100th anniversary, is installed and providing cool, liquid relief to anyone in need.
William Busher, who attends St. Benedict Church in Mount Pleasant, completed the project for his Eagle Scout badge. He said it turned out better than he expected and he’s happy that he did something to help those in need, although he noted that the bureaucratic process was a total pain.
The water fountain is located in a small courtyard between the soup kitchen and the porch library. Grimball said they also have water bottles available.
The outreach is planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the fountain, which is the only source of public drinking water on the whole peninsula.
Photos: Miscellany/Deirdre C. Mays
