About Helen & Helen's Hugs.org

Helen & her sister Chris

About Helen

Helen was an incredibly loving and thoughtful person. Although she graced us with her presence for just 19 short years, she touched countless people in many ways.

Helen died so innocently in March 2006 as her family was all together stopped at a traffic light after attending a rehearsal dinner for her cousin’s wedding, which she was to be in the next day. She left us that night with all the grace and elegance she had shown all her life. She slipped away with no outward signs of pain or injury. Her family misses her positive and caring spirit every minute.

Helen had an uncanny ability to sense one’s feelings and had no inhibitions about letting them know that. Her trademark hug was extended to people out of love, out of fun and in times of need. It hurts deeply to know we will never feel this hug here again, but in a deeper and much further reaching sense, Helen’s loving hugs carry on through this wonderful organization, Helen’s Hugs, brought about by her friends and their families.

Helen was an accomplished rider and very passionate about horses and her sport. She would spend countless hours with her horse Tonka, and we believe that this connection created a part of her loving and generous spirit. Through Helen's Hugs, connecting a child to days filled with sunshine, smiles and horseback riding may well be the gateway to a changed life.

About Helen’s Hugs

The lovely 19-year old was an accomplished equestrian as well as a nursing student at Greenville Technical College. She was the daughter of George and Lesa Corontzes and sister to Matt and Christine. Helen's Hugs was established to keep her generous spirit alive by giving special children the opportunity to bond with horses. Donations received will fund therapeutic riding and caring for these gentle horses through a well-established program at Eden Farms near Easley, SC. Children will be selected to receive scholarships to participate in riding camps and on-going therapeutic programs.

Helen's Hugs has partnered with an existing Pickens County non-profit organization, Caring Communities of the Carolinas(CCC-PC), which has many programs for children and families in the county.

Also, her family would like to share this information about Helen’s organ donation.

Organ Donation

It was natural for Helen to be pursuing a career in nursing considering her kind and generous ways. She gave blood regularly and always offered her help to friends, family, co-workers and many others. She volunteered after school for children and in nursing homes through her coursework. Consequently, her family had every reason to believe that Helen would have given the gift of life by donating her vital organs to those in need. Her younger brother Matt and sister Christine, 18 & 15 at the time of the accident, have experienced such healing comfort in knowing Helen helped these families in such a monumental way.

Helen was in perfect health and her organ match with recipients was hugely successful. Through the services of LifePoint-SC.org her heart beats in a 14 year old boy who loves NASCAR, video games and hunting. Her kidney and pancreas saved a young diabetic mother of a 3 year old boy. Her kidney saved a 14 year old girl who was on dialysis and was on the transplant waiting list for the past year. Her liver went to a middle-aged father of two sons who loves fishing and motorcycle riding. His message of thanks is very moving. Her lung is helping a 67 year old grandfather live to see his grandchildren grow up. Her beautiful skin will go to burn victims and her tissue will help countless others. Through Helen’s Hugs her special ways of caring and giving can and will live on right here in our community and beyond.

"To Helen"

Sitting tall,
Hair long,
Like the wind,
A moving song.

Grace above,
Strength below,
The two travel,
With much to sow.

A girl and horse,
Best of friends,
Life changes,
But love never ends.

Now we see,
A change in course,
New friends,
With her horse.

They ride,
They grow,
They love,
We know.

Because of Helen,
And that loving reach,
Her "Hugs" bring out,
The best in each.

-Gina & Lara McLellan