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‘Loving’ books pay tribute to teen, reading

by Cindy Abole
Public Relations
St. Andrews High School senior Charley Lovingood will be remembered more for his outgoing personality, athleticism, a love for skateboarding and just being a typical kid. So when he died suddenly last November of an apparent heart attack, his loss became a sober reminder to the frailty of life for his surviving family, classmates and friends. 

Charley's death was especially hard for MUSC Department of Physiology professor Jerry Ondo and his family, who became close friends to the Charleston native while growing up in the Lowcountry.

C. Gordon Lovingood Jr., far left,  delights in seeing his youngest son, Riley, and several of the Ondo children look through more than 400 book donations made in the memory of Charley Lovingood, a St. Andrews High School senior who died last November. 

On June 26, the Ondo family were able to donate more than 400 books to MUSC Children's Hospital in a six-month long effort on behalf of Charley Lovingood.

“Charley was a great kid,” said Mary Ellen Ondo, wife and mother of six children—whose older kids babysat Charley while growing up. “We wanted to create a tribute that would involve all of us as a family and others who cared for him.”

The six Ondo children—John Patrick, Matthew, Maura, Jennie, Heidi and older sister Meghan Ondo Geils, M.D., and husband Wills, came up with the idea to collect books and promote reading on behalf of their friend. The books will be used by patients and their families while at MUSC Children's Hospital. 

Thus, the creation of the Loving Good Books project. The idea was the brainchild of Ondo and her children.

“All of us loved Charley,” Ondo said. “He loved to go through and read books in our family library. He was like another son in our family.”

Ondo approached Children's Hospital Child Life manager Sandra Oberman with the idea. Oberman helps to coordinate various education programs, including a book lending library. She has agreed to distribute donated books in this effort to the Children's Hospital lending library, waiting rooms and other locations of the hospital. The books will also be used in a new national pediatric literacy program called Reach Out and Read.

“I think the gift of books is a terrific and valuable donation that will reach many children and perhaps may make their health care experience less stressful,” Oberman said.

On Dec. 26, the day Charley would have celebrated his 18th birthday, the Ondo's formally presented the “Loving Good” books idea to Patsy and Gordie Lovingood and younger brother, Reilly.

The Ondos shared their book request in a letter to family, school classmates and friends. The appeal asked donors to submit a book of their choice, preferably children and adolescent books, to add to the collection. The response was so positive that the family issued a second mailout—appealing to other friends and acquaintances who wanted to become involved.

Each book will carry a hand-designed name plate stating the Loving Good Books program, Charley's name and the donor's name. The bookplate artwork was created by Lowcountry artist Karen Weihs. 

“This was a really neat thing,” said Patsy Lovingood, of her friend's efforts. “The collection of books, both hardcover and paperback, will be a lasting memorial to our son.” Lovingood, herself, has even made book donations from her own collection in this effort. 

The Ondos are hopeful that the Loving Good Book project will continue to thrive. By next December, they hope to provide additional books in this effort.

“The kids took great pride in getting involved with this project,” Ondo said. “In a way, it helped them get through the grief. It also helped them deal with the loss of someone close to them and put things in perspective. By doing this, they know that Charley will be remembered.”

For information on the Loving Good Books project, contact Sandra Oberman at 792-7064.