Published: June 01. 2010 2:00AM

By Kim Hassold
EDITOR IN CHIEF

No doubt both neighbors and friends were happy to see Debra and George Howard purchase and then renovate and add to the place they now call home, but probably nothing was more pleased than the special tree out front and the children who visit it daily.

“We named the tree Hilda and gave her a ‘face’ and a personality all her own. Every day I leave treats in the birdhouse at the bottom of the trunk and neighborhood children come by to see what's there. I love having them, and always look forward to the visits.”

This kind of “open arms” hospitality typifies the couple's generosity to one and all, from hosting gatherings in support of local organizations to the “girls’ night out” gatherings Debra loves to have with friends. She has been involved with the Red Cross for 25 years as a board member and is now a founding member of the Tiffany Circle.

We found the home to be filled with comfortable places to sit and one-of-a-kind treasures that make it a warm and friendly place … just like the people who live there.

The Howards have been living with George's diabetes for more than a decade and it was only in the past few years they discovered he would need a kidney transplant. Family members and friends have not been a match for his Type O blood. Obviously, it is important to find a kidney donor for George as soon as possible.

Every 11 minutes another person is added to the organ transplant waiting list. There are currently more than 750 South Carolina residents and more than 100,000 people in the U.S. waiting for organ transplants. Each year, approximately 6,000 people die waiting for an organ transplant that would have given them a second chance at life with their families. In addition, each year hundreds of thousands of people benefit from donated tissue that is used for life-saving and reconstructive purposes. Learn how you can help by visiting every11minutes.org.