4 minute read
Newsworthy
from August 2021
by VIP Magazine
Something to Celebrate...
Amazing Grace Park, The Clementa Pinckney Memorial Announces Stephanie Rizzo As Park Manager
Amazing Grace Park, The Clementa Pinckney Memorial is proud to
announce and welcome Stephanie Rizzo as Park Manager. Rizzo will oversee day-to-day park activities, rental opportunities, park partnerships, events and general management responsibilities. Stephanie joins the park team from Historic Marion Revitalization Association (HMRA), where she served as Executive Director for 3.5 years. During her successful tenure at HMRA, she directed the revitalization effort of downtown Marion, South Carolina. Prior to HMRA, Stephanie was an educator in South Carolina, North Carolina and South Korea. Rizzo’s responsibilities at Amazing Grace Park include creating, promoting and executing ongoing park activities, managing park rentals, coordinating partner initiatives and affiliate programs and leading efforts to collaborate with local communities and state leaders. Having worked on downtown development for the past few years, Rizzo regularly seeks impactful opportunities, which is exactly what Amazing Grace Park represents. The Park offers an opportunity to honor the life and legacy of the late Reverend Senator Clementa Pinckney, while also uniting the communities of Marion County and beyond. The Park will provide an uplifting experience for everyone from our youngest learners on educational field trips to our business leaders looking for an outdoor space to our retirees looking for a peaceful retreat. “I am truly humbled and honored to take on the lead role of park manager for the Amazing Grace Park, The Clementa Pinkney Memorial,” said Rizzo. “I knew from the moment I learned of park plans years ago that this would be something special, for both Marion County and The Pinckney Family. We are looking forward, not only to next month or next year, but to building something grand, that will keep visitors coming back for years to come. Keep a watchful eye on Amazing Grace Park; AMAZING things are on the horizon!” South Carolina State Senator Kent Williams said, “We are fortunate to have found someone with Ms. Rizzo’s background and proven expertise. I feel confident that she will be a valuable asset as we all work together, united by the Park’s important message. From building local support and multi-generational use of the park facilities, to attracting visitors from around the state and the country, we stand together and will succeed together.”
The non-profits that received grants include All 4 Autism, Eastern Carolina Community Foundation, Empowered to Heal, Harvest Hope Food Bank, McLeod Health Foundation, Pee Dee Coalition, the School Foundation, United Way of Florence and Youth Mentors of the Pee Dee. “In a year that presented many challenges for most every business across the nation, it’s refreshing that our Rotary club was in a position to provide much needed funds to true partners of our Florence community. The entities chosen this year will do great things to help bridge some of the gaps of service and goods disrupted by Covid-19. We should all be thankful Florence has so many non-profit organizations that devote their time and resources to help others in need,” said Derek Hemmingsen, the Past-President of the Rotary Club of Florence. The Rotary Club of Florence meets weekly on Mondays at Victors at 1:00 PM. For more information or to visit the club, please contact Ashley Christenbury at 803-968-1585.
Rizzo
The Rotary Club of Florence Donates $16,500 in Grants to 9 Local Non-profit Agencies
Echols
Les Echols of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce has joined business leaders from across South Carolina as a member of the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs’ Small and Minority Business Advisory Council. The primary focus of this new committee will be to help identify best business practices and recommend industry leading feedback that enhances and promotes economic growth throughout the state. The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs was created in 1993 by the South Carolina General Assembly to provide the citizenry of the state with a single point of contact for information regarding the State’s minority population. The mission of the Commission for Minority Affairs is to be a catalyst that identifies and examines emerging issues and trends by providing constructive solutions and approaches to support the policy and socio-economic development of ethnic minority communities. The committee is built of individuals with diverse experience and expertise that will actively contribute to a collaborative effort and partner to assist small and minority businesses.
If you are celebrating a positive achievement or have been awarded for a newsworthy accomplishment, email Heather Page at heather@vipmagsc.com.
Eastern Carolina Community Foundation Supports Pee Dee students with $16,500 in Scholarship Awards
The foundation proudly awarded scholarships ranging from $500-$5,000 to thirteen deserving Pee Dee area students. These awards were made possible by generous donors. Eight different scholarship funds held at the foundation had recipients in 2021. Scholarship donors believe in the importance of investing in education and supporting the goals of young students. When donors turn this belief into scholarship funding which is professionally administered by ECCF, the entire Pee Dee region benefits. Scholarship funds are endowed in perpetuity meaning they will be available to support students now and in the future. Early each year there is a scholarship application period open to many students in the region. Applications are reviewed by scholarship selection committees. After selections are made and students are recognized, scholarship awards are paid directly to the educational institutions. Scholarships play a significant role in helping ECCF achieve its mission to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves. For more information, call 843-667-1131 to learn how the community foundation can help you establish a scholarship.
