Thumbs up to those who started scholarship in memory of Quick

Thumbs up to the family and friends of Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Sgt. Darryl Quick who are establishing a scholarship in his memory. Quick, 42, of Cheraw was off duty when he was killed instantly July 23 after the 2000 Cadillac he was driving collided head-on with a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. Michael Chad Lambert, 33, of Patrick is charged with felony driving under the influence in connection with the crash. Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office Maj. James Dixon said Quick’s fellow deputies, along with other community members, decided the best way to remember their friend was through a scholarship program. Scholarship candidates must live in Chesterfield County and be the son or daughter of a law enforcement officer, a Shriner or a Mason, as Quick himself met all those criteria. A barbecue chicken and pork plate sale, as well as a benefit softball game, took place Thursday to raise money for the scholarship. Scholarship donations also can be mailed to the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office at 200 W. Main St., Chesterfield SC 29709. For details about the scholarship itself, call Jennifer Vaughn at (843) 623-2261.

Thumbs to all those involved in the effort to establish a wellness and physical fitness program for city of Darlington employees. On Tuesday, Darlington Police Capt. Danny Watson explained the effort to city council. Through the program, employees would exercise three times a week for 30 minutes. As an incentive for employees to join, Watson suggested each be given one day off a year “to show people here we care about them.” And so far, he said, 108 city employees have expressed an interest in such a program. The program will be revisited during the council’s next regular meeting in October. We hope Darlington only adopts this program, but that other Pee Dee municipalities establish their own, as well.

Thumbs up to the Florence Shoe Carnival for participating in the Soles4Souls program, which provides free shoes for people in impoverished situations. The shoe drive for the nonprofit organization will continue until Sept. 24. Shoppers can contribute in two ways: through a $2 donation given upon checkout or by donating a pair of gently used shoes to the store. Anyone who donates a pair of gently worn shoes will get a $5 off purchase coupon at any Shoe Carnival location. Soles4Souls has distributed more than 3.3 million pairs of shoes since it began in 2006. “Not only do the shoes donated by (Shoe Carnival) customers make a huge impact on the lives of thousands of people in desperate need but also, the funds raised through the $2 donation program will buy new shoes for someone who has never owned a pair of shoes,” Wayne Elsey, founder and CEO of Soles4Souls, said in a statement.

Thumbs up to the Florence Tennis Association for its work during the summer with the Florence Parks and Leisure Services Department. The association offered free summer programs for area youth. There were eight weeklong morning camps that included exercise, sportsmanship and tennis coaching. Using grants from national, regional and state tennis associations, the Florence Tennis Association worked with almost 200 young people from high-risk neighborhoods. We commend the association and its volunteers for all their work and to give these kids an alternative during the summer.