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Grandmother’s legacy inspires holiday giving by Cindy Abole Public Relations It is Eric Langley's mission in Charleston to help people.    After all, his ability to care for others was founded on a cornerstone of generosity and devotion growing up under the loving care of his maternal grandmother Renee Lestic-Zalson.    Book drive organizer Eric Langley, left, admires picture books with Children’s Hospital Atrium coordinator John Parler and Chapter Two Bookstore owner Susan Davis. Langley hopes to inspire others to donate new books during the holiday season. The books will be given to MUSC Children’s Hospital Child Life department.  Each winter, the holiday season inspires people to give and help others less fortunate. For Langley, the need to help and inspire people—especially disadvantaged women and children—and honor his grandmother was very important. He has organized a children's book drive with local bookstores that will benefit young patients at MUSC Children's Hospital. The book drive project will continue throughout Christmas.   “My grandmother was always helping others learn how to help themselves,” said Langley, a shy 29-year-old who was raised as a teenager by his grandmother. “I saw how hard she worked. She brought hope to many people.”   Growing up in a small town west of Paris, Lestic-Zalson endured a difficult childhood as a young girl growing up in pre-war France. Born to an alcoholic mother, she lived among relatives until she settled under the loving care and safety of her own grandmother.    Even at a young age, Lestic-Zalson was always helping others during World War II. By 1954, she and her husband left France to begin a new life with her family in America. Yet despite memories of abuse and other challenges, she always managed to find time to care for neighbors and continue her charitable works.   “Eric's story about his grandmother has a great affect on people,”  said Susan Davis, owner of Chapter Two Bookstore in downtown Charleston. “His dedication in finding ways to honor and recognize her is very touching. In just a short amount of time, Eric has worked hard to coordinate many good community resources that will enable many children to benefit from his work.”   Langley has gained additional support towards his book drive from Waldenbooks, also in the downtown area and Books-A-Million in West Ashley. Participants are encouraged to purchase and donate new children’s books at each site. At the end of the drive, all donations will be collected and distributed directly to the Children’s Hospital Child Life Department in time for Christmas.   “We are so lucky to have individuals such as Eric who support MUSC,” said John Parler, Children's Hospital Atrium coordinator. “Getting well is much more than just taking medicine. I can think of no better medicine than a child reading or being read to.”   MUSC pediatrics patients also benefits from the generosity of other book programs including Reach Out and Read, Happy Wheels and Lovingood Books Project.   Throughout his life, Langley has been influenced by the same dedication and selfless attitude exhibited by his grandmother and other generous people. In November he created the Renee Lestic-Zalson charitable foundation in her honor to support disadvantaged women and children everywhere.    “She has been my motivation and inspiration,” Langley said. “Throughout all of her life, she’s given all she had. That's why I'm driven to inspire others to give what they can through love and time. It all comes back three-fold.”   Just two years ago, Lestic-Zalson suffered from a debilitating stroke and heart attack that affected her speech and immobilized the left side of her body. She currently lives with family in New Orleans.   Langley hopes the book drive will motivate the hearts and efforts of enough supporters to extend it past the holidays.    For more information on the Renee Lestic-Zalson Charitable Foundation, contact Langley at 345-1885.