OPINION: Thumbs up to Williamsburg Technical College for its new Student Initiative Program

Thumbs up to Williamsburg Technical College, which recently implemented a new Student Initiative Program to assist out-of-school men and women in achieving success by gaining the necessary skills to obtain and retain employment leading to self-sufficiency. The program, which started this fall semester and is funded by a Workforce Investment Act grant, serves Williamsburg County residents between the ages of 17 and 24 who aren’t enrolled in school and who have neither a high school diploma nor a GED certificate. Recruitment efforts will include visiting area entities to explain the program and assist potential participants in the college’s application process. Various area services and training programs, including Williamsburg County Adult Education, Black River Healthcare, Williamsburg County Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and the Williamsburg Enterprise Community, will be working with this new program. For more information, contact program coordinator Darin Singleton at (843) 355-4163 or e-mail single
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Rebecca Smith, a volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, offers this: “Many thanks to (S.C. Highway Patrol) District 5 led by Capt. Jo Nell for another successful golf tournament that will benefit children and young people who suffer with life-threatening illnesses. This is an annual event that takes much planning and effort and this group is always successful. The local volunteers of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, along with the children and families they serve, thank the patrol for their dedication.”

Thumbs up to the employees of Pearce & Pearce Inc. and Pearce Administration for turning their annual Spirit Week into a time to help others. They recently contributed items to the Salvation Army, Florence Area Humane Society, Harvest Hope and other charities. About 60 employees collected almost 2,000 food and clothing items, as well as almost 1,300 pounds of dog and cat food. Pearce & Pearce Inc. President Rocky Pearce said he could not believe how much was collected in such a short amount of time and is proud of all his employees for giving a helping hand to so many in need. “You are blessing people with what you’re doing, and you’ve got to feel good about that,” he told them. “This is what community is all about.” During Spirit Week, staff is divided into two teams that compete against each other all week by donating items. Spirit Week activities such as “Silly Sock Day” and “Proud to be an American Day” culminated with a cook-out and field day Sept. 25. Event organizers said the charities were chosen this year after local agencies, who offer aid to people and animals, were surveyed about their current needs. The recession has caused a decrease in charitable donations, meaning donations are more needed than ever. Pearce & Pearce Inc., established in 1948 by the Pearce family,is a special risk insurance agency whose sole purpose is to consult, to solicit and to service student insurance programs. Agency operations are overseen by Rocky and Carolyn Pearce.