‘His life was hope’: Bo Coleman, Rock Hill Project Hope charity founder, dies at 87
Bo Coleman saw the hungry, so he helped found a food pantry and charity in Rock Hill 45 years ago.
He and a few others who helped him in the beginning simply called it: “Hope House.”
Coleman never left that food pantry for the rest of his life. He volunteered at the philanthropic nonprofit agency that eventually was called Hope of Rock Hill. That volunteering ended Aug. 8, when Coleman died at age 87.
“Bo loved helping people,” said his wife of 64 years, Vonda. “He loved every minute of it.”
Through the years, the ministry was called Hope House, Hope Inc., Project Hope, and now Hope of Rock Hill. But always, it was Coleman who was synonymous with the place called Hope, said Gordon Bell, operations director at Hope of Rock Hill.
“Bo Coleman was the driving force, the humble servant who always put the people of our community who are in need at the front of the line,” Bell said. “The man spent most of the last half century feeding a city.”
Bo Coleman never was paid for his Project Hope work, which included decades as executive director at Hope of Rock Hill. And he never wanted pay, said those who knew his church and charity work.
“Bo’s whole life was helping the community,” said Rev. Jeff Hayes, senior pastor at Oakland Baptist Church where Coleman was an associate pastor for more than 30 years. “His life was hope. Hope was the right name, because that’s what he gave.”
Hope of Rock Hill remains one of York County’s largest and oldest crisis ministries, and has helped thousands of people over the years. It was started by Coleman and others from Oakland Baptist and a few other churches to fight hunger after the closure of area textile mills. Hope Inc. eventually offered financial assistance for people for rent, utilities, and other costs to keep the lights on and a roof over people’s heads.
“That generosity that Bo started, continues on today,” Hayes said. “That’s Bo Coleman’s legacy. Helping, and hope.”
Oakland Baptist Church will have a virtual tribute to Coleman during its online services Sunday. Later on, the church will hold a food drive for Hope of Rock Hill in Coleman’s honor, Hayes said.
“The way to honor Bo Coleman is to be a part of the giving to people who need it,” Hayes said. “His legacy is that what he started lives on.”
Coleman’s given first name was Harold, but in Rock Hill he was always called “Bo.”
“The ads years ago for Bo Jackson were ‘Bo knows’ “ Hayes aid. “People always used to say about Bo Coleman; “Bo knows, and Bo did.’ “
Hope of Rock Hill is located 411 Park Avenue. To donate, contact Hope of Rock Hill at 803-328-8000, or P.O. Box 774, Rock Hill, SC 29730., or visit the Hope of Rock Hill Web site.
