OPINION: Thumbs up to honor society for charity work

Thumbs up to the members of Williamsburg Technical College’s Alpha Sigma Gamma division of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society for volunteering to assist Vital Aging of Williamsburg County deliver Meals On Wheels to area elderly residents. The Society recognizes and encourages academic achievement of two-year college students and provides opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership and service programming. The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest organization in the United States representing those who provide meal services to people in need, according to its Web site, www.mowaa.org. MOWAA works toward the social, physical, nutritional, and economic betterment of vulnerable Americans in an effort to make sure no senior goes hungry. Volunteers keep local Meals On Wheels programs running. While the greatest need at Meals On Wheels programs is for folks who are willing to drive and deliver meals, programs have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for people with all kinds of skills and schedules. Meals On Wheels volunteers help with office tasks, prepare meals, organize fundraising events and more. For information about how to get involved in this program in the Pee Dee, visit www.mowaa.org/Page.aspx?pid=396
online.

Thumbs up to the United Way of Florence County and WYNN 106 FM for hosting recent Stuff a Bus events at each of Florence’s two Wal-Marts to benefit Florence School District 1 students. Customers at both stores purchased supplies that were in turn donated at the buses parked outside. Several local businesses also recently hosted school supply drives to combine with the supplies collected during Stuff a Bus. Participating companies included Blue Cross/Blue Shield of South Carolina; Carolinas Hospital System; Assurant; ADP; Honda of South Carolina Manufacturing Inc.; Turner, Padgett, Graham & Laney PA; Rita’s; and BB&T. “The Stuff the Bus campaign was a success thanks to the local public — consumers who shopped at both Walmart locations — and to area businesses who hosted school supply drives,” Florence 1 Superintendent Larry Jackson said. “Our appreciation is extended to the staff of United Way, Cumulus Broadcasting, and to Rennie Lunn. Because of their generosity, some of our students who have a need will benefit from schools supplies collected.”

Thumbs up to Daniel Bonanno of Darlington, who is attending College of Charleston, and Aaron Tisdale of Kingstree, who is attending the University of South Carolina-Aiken, for being among the students named 2009 James F. Byrnes Foundation scholarship award winners. The foundation awards the scholarships to young South Carolinians who have lost one or both parents by death through a program established by the late Gov. James F. Byrnes in 1948. To date, the foundation has awarded 1,080 scholarships, which are for four years at $3,250 per year. The foundation has 31 Byrnes Scholars attending colleges and universities of their choice. The foundation also sponsors three activities each year for all scholars: fall dinners in several areas of the state, a weekend at the beach in March and a luncheon in Columbia every June for all students, alumni and friends of the foundation. In June, the Foundation celebrated its 60th anniversary. For more information about the foundation, visit its Web site at www.byrnesscholars.org.