October 9, 2025
Eugene “Geno” Middleton was born and raised on Edisto Island to a poor farming family. Reared by aunts and uncles, he faced more challenges than most, but with the guidance and mentorship of legendary Lowcountry leaders McKinley Washington, Clementa Pinckney and others, he developed the drive and faith to succeed in athletics and later in his chosen profession of welding, which led to a long career with the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA Local 1422) of Charleston, SC.
Geno met Jack when he began work on the playgrounds at Jane Edwards Elementary School on Edisto. Dismayed and surprised at what he saw as not just sub-standard equipment but fields that could scarcely be used as ballfields, the two vowed to do better. They knew other places — in Charleston County and South Carolina in general — had tremendous facilities, reflecting not only a commitment to the young people, but a respect and love for them as well.
So began a lifelong friendship and the impetus to form Edisto Island Youth Recreation (EIYR). Since 2016 the two men and a small band of volunteers have been working diligently to provide the young people of Edisto and neighboring rural communities the same opportunities to participate in a variety of sports that have always been available to young people throughout Charleston County. The all-volunteer group relies solely on donations and grants to provide everything young people need to participate in the sport they choose.
No child or parent is ever charged for anything.
Aside from their passion for children, the two men share another enduring passion for God and His Christian principles. Every meeting begins and ends with prayers of thanksgiving; for every success and milestone, echoes of “To God Be the Glory” can be heard reverberating through the walls, the emails, the texts and the phone calls.
To God Be the Glory!
