Freeport Community Services (FCS) has been providing critical support to the communities of Freeport and Pownal since 1974. As we lead up to our signature White Nights celebration on Jan. 23, 2016, we have partnered with the Tri-Town Weekly for the third year in a row to “Shine the Light” on some of the friends of FCS who make such a difference in our community.

On the first day of summer vacation, Doug and Erica Skolnekovich watched their 6-year-old daughter Ellie ride her bicycle with her 4-year-old brother, Lyle. “I remember thinking, ‘This is going to be a great summer,’ ” Erica said with a wry grin. “But then disaster struck,” Doug recalled. “With a little slip, Ellie fell and broke her leg. A really bad break. She had a full leg cast that went all the way up.”

The Skolnekovich family was suddenly faced with a completely immobile 6-year-old and a summer that stretched ahead. Unexpected medical bills added to their challenge. Erica was not sure how they would manage to obtain the expensive equipment Ellie needed, like a wheelchair and shower seat.

Fortunately, a friend told them about the free loaned medical equipment closet at Freeport Community Services (FCS).

“It was so wonderful,” Erica said. “I had no idea this existed. We got a wheelchair for Ellie so that she could be on walks with us and go to the beach – it made such a difference.” “She even played kickball with her one good leg while in the wheelchair,” added Doug.

Ellie recovered nicely, and when it came time for her seventh birthday, she and her mom came up with an idea. In lieu of presents, she asked her friends to bring food donations for the Freeport Community Services food pantry. After the party, she and her family delivered the food to FCS.

“It was really cool,” said Ellie, breaking into a grin. “We weighed it in the pantry. There was a lot of food.”

Even Lyle tried to carry a bag, but “it was too heavy – it nearly knocked him over,” she said.

Ellie said she liked the experience. “I think it is really important because it if you didn’t have food, you couldn’t live. It made me feel good.”

This young Freeport family, like many families, is very busy. Their company, Compass Technology Managers, works with quite a few local businesses and supports many causes in town. Erica and Doug are frequent volunteers in school and their church, and the kids have a full schedule of activities. Yet they choose to make time and volunteer for FCS because “it is so easy,” said Doug. “[FCS} identifies those truly in need, and it is an easy way to give back. Part of being in a community is helping those in need.”

Erica recalled that her mother was “THE community volunteer – the first to check in on a neighbor, to help those in need. I tell Ellie that she has her grandmother’s giving heart.”

Ellie’s name, she noted, means “shining light.” The Skolnekovich family has shown us that everyone can make a difference in their community and “shine their light” for others. Thank you, Skolnekovich family, for being friends of Freeport Community Services.

You can be a friend of Freeport Community Services too. Visit www.fcsmaine.org or call 865-3985 to learn more about FCS and our many services and volunteer opportunities.

Doug and Erica Skolnekovich, with daughter Ellie, left, and son Lyle, turned to Freeport Community Services’ free loaned medical equipment closet when Ellie broke her leg.