I know that there’s a new class of Leadership Columbia folks picking teams for which project they want to support. How do I know? Because I was there last year about this time. I have a piece of advice for all you newbies: your project may pick you.

To me, Leadership Columbia is a program designed to bring together a committed group of locals that are already established leaders. Over the course of about nine months, you’re given the opportunity to get to know one another, discover things you may not have known about our community and then make plans to work together to improve the lives of those living in our area both now and in the future. Your project is the quickest way that you can really impact our area as a team.

Our 2014 class voted to support The Hearth Center for Eating Disorders. Even though that wasn’t the team I was originally supported, I was happy to move forward. I had worked with The Hearth in the past by helping them with their branding materials, so it was nice for me to step back into the fold to support something that is needed not only in the Midlands, but really in every community. I did my part for the project, heading up the communications efforts for our class. I got to see many of my classmates put forth tremendous effort, from working with the legislature to bring about recognition in the State House, to renovating one of the cottages onsite to building a healing garden on the property. It was awesome.

But not as awesome as a couple of weeks ago when a stranger called me to get help for her daughter. My name was on a press release from February. She was searching for help, the release came up on her google search and she contacted me. Me! I was floored that I received the call. And honored at the same time. I was quickly able to get her in touch with the program director at The Hearth and I hope that she and her daughter are on a path to healing.

So to the Class of 2015, I wish you luck in your project selection process. And I encourage you to work together. Because you will make a difference – even if it is for just one person. And knowing you helped that one person, well, it will really make you feel as if your project picked you.