Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet
Jean Funderburk (with John Griggs) was honored as Darlington County Citizen of the Year. Funderburk has worked for many years with the Lions Club of Society Hill, served as board chair for the chamber, worked to promote businesses, and established social events – like regular Bingo nights – for the elderly.
The Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet, held Feb. 28 at the Darlington Country Club, saw several local citizens honored for contributing time, money, effort, and love to improve their community.
Danny Braun (with the chamber’s Harriet Hobbs) accepted the Business of the Year Award for Manheim Auto Auction. Hobbs spoke of Manheim employees pitching in after last year’s hurricanes and flooding, holding bake sales and donating money to help an elderly disabled woman replace her badly damaged roof.
Curtis Boyd and Anna DeWitt (with Harriet Hobbs) accepted the Ambassadors Award on behalf of Light Up Darlington, a campaign to decorate the city with festive lights during the holiday season.
The Community Pride Award went to the Purple Fish Coffee Company, a multi-genre music venue, coffeehouse and public meeting room founded as a nonprofit ministry of St. Matthew’s Church.
Ronda Duke Brown (with Chamber president Harriet Hobbs) was honored as the City of Darlington’s Citizen of the Year. Hobbs recounted how Brown has worked tirelessly with the City of Darlington and the Darlington Garden Club to clean up, repaint, and beautify numerous public spaces to make the city more marketable and livable.
Kendra Thomas Williamson (with John Griggs) was named Educator of the Year. Griggs said the Darlington High School teacher and coach is a friend and mentor to students, even after they graduate. Williamson also established a “Prom Closet” to ensure that all students have access to formal wear for school dances and events.
Jim and Billie Hardee (with Harriet Hobbs and Todd Hardee) were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for establishing and operating the Billie Hardee Home for Boys. While presenting the award, Todd Hardee shared how his parents helped over 10,000 kids during four decades of running the home, teaching them the value of work and fellowship and family.
Photos by Samantha Lyles
