Plantersville, in Georgetown County, South Carolina, is pretty widely known for its many successful “plantations” and rice fields. But there is another side to Plantersville; a side that is disturbing to many in the community, and is what motivated three Plantersville residents to organize the first Annual Cultural Awareness Day. Their goal is to make the community more aware of the drug abuse, violence, and other negative elements, and to issue a “call to action” to combat these kinds of activities through available community resources and services. Jackie Grier, Marcella Myers, and Shameka White, organized the event and solicited area agencies, businesses, and organizations to set up booths and tables to promote themselves and the services they provide.
Activities for adults and children included lots of games and entertainment, and a small petting zoo. Influential community leaders and sponsors spoke to the gathering, including Dr. Evelyn Drayton, a local preacher, who related the proud history of Plantersville, and what residents can do to re-claim their neighborhoods. KRA In-School Youth Program participants volunteered as part of the after-event cleanup crew, and were very enthusiastic about the positive messages they heard about improving their community. KRA also donated lots of supplies and toys for the event…older children played with basketballs and footballs on the nearby courts and fields, and the younger children played with the face paint and made necklaces and bracelets with the beads and yarn. They also used the stencils that KRA provided for cut-outs to make their own posters and signs. Myers concluded, “The program was a great success. Thank you for all that your organization has done!” Pictured below, left to right, are Ahmond Johnson, Catina Register, and Dawn Verner.
KRA Youth Volunteer "Clean-up Crew."
Dr. Boone’s 20+ years’ experience in the industry is extensive and her expertise in private-, public-, and non-profit sector workforce-services organizations is unparalleled, particularly in the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan area.
