Governor's Volunteer Awards 2016

Governor's Award For Volunteering, Columbia, SC 2016

This good looking group of people are the recipients of the Governor's Awards for Volunteering for 2016. We had a lovely ceremony at the Lace House on the Governor's Mansion property this morning with Lieutenant Governor Henry McMaster presenting the awards.

I love nominating worthy candidates and the Patient Representative volunteers from Roper St. Francis won the Group category award. I was so tickled! We rallied our group and drove to Columbia for the event and had a wonderful day. Congratulations to all the winners. Your stories make us proud to live in South Carolina.

SC Governor's Award for Volunteering - 2015

SC Governor's Awards - Volunteerism 2015

Ladies and gentlemen, may I be the first to present you with the Governor's Award Winners for Volunteerism in South Carolina. Congratulations folks! 

I was at the Governor's Mansion in Columbia today to see this incredible group of folks from across the state being recognized for community service activities from mentoring, hospice work, school volunteering and Americorp. 

I almost bust with pride when representatives from my own health care system, Roper St. Francis were honored in the Workplace Volunteer category for all they do with the community including health fairs, the heart walk, Families for Healthy Hearts program, HOPE bags for children in abusive situations and Medical Mission trips. 

Workplace Volunteerism Award, Roper St. Francis

Congratulations to SC Governor's Volunteer Award Winners

SC Governor's Volunteer Award Winners - 2013

Thanks to the South Carolina Association for Volunteer Administration for coordinating the presentation of the 2013 Governor's Awards for Volunteerism at the Statehouse yesterday. I had three nominees being honored so we took a happy gang to Columbia for the festivities. The awards presentation was held at the Statehouse with Governor Nikki Haley and then we went to the Lace House on the Governor's Mansion grounds for a luncheon.

My winners from Charleston pictured below with the Governor are Charles & Marlene Williamon and Betty Saulisbury. Charles and Marlene volunteer for almost every non-profit in town (seriously!) and Betty has served close to 30,000 hours at Roper Hospital. I've been going to this event for quite a few years and am so appreciative of Governor Haley for taking the time to make it such a special event. In the past, our Governors never even bothered to show up for the event.

I served as photographer and handed my pocket camera over to a friend as I did my presentation. That is how I got in the final shot! Heheh.

Governor's Volunteer Awards 2011

S.C. Statehouse, Columbia, S.C.

I have spent the whole day proud as punch. I wrote a nomination that won the Gardner family the Governor's Award for Volunteerism in the Family Category. Between the Gardner brothers Tom and Gary and Gary's wife Reggie these folks do so much to help in the Lowcountry it is mind boggling. With 5,000 hours of hospital volunteer service at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital under their belts, they also work as Red Cross Disaster Relief Volunteers, staff the Navy Clinic, support the American Heart Association, Mended Hearts Support Group, serve as Poll workers and so much more. I can't think of any family more deserving.

I've been going to these annual awards for volunteers for many years and this year, for the first time, the Governor actually came to present the awards. Can you believe that? It never made any sense to me but I was delighted that Governor Haley took the time out of her schedule to join us and honor volunteers in South Carolina. She was gracious enough to stay around for photos ops after the ceremony and let us use the Lace House on the Governor's property grounds for our luncheon. I was very pleased.

The Lowcountry made us proud today, besides the Gardner family, MUSC's "CARES" Clinic (Community Aid Relief Education & Support) won the Volunteer Group Award and David Beasley, nominated by the American Red Cross brought home the Legacy Volunteer Award. Thanks to SCAVA and TUW for a wonderful day! More photos here.

PS: I didn't get your comments in time to take messages to the Governor but in this shot, it looks like I did! Heheh.