Darlington woman raises over $5,000 for church missions
Jo-Anne B. Bonaparte and her husband, Leo Bonaparte.
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Bethel AME Church of Darlington hosted the 2017 Pink Ice Ball on March 11, and several churches from the Florence-Dillon Area Women’s Missionary Society gathered for the event, which culminated in the crowning of Sister Jo-Anne B. Bonaparte as “Pink Ice 2017 Queen.”
“I was a candidate from my church, and there were nineteen candidates in all, one from each church,” said Bonaparte, who won the title by raising a total of $5,051 for church mission works.
First runner-up honors went to Sister Sarah Monroe of Florence’s Mt. Zion AME, who raised $500.
“I was in it to win it!” said Bonaparte of her above-and-beyond fundraising efforts. “Most of it came from family and friends, and some support from my church.”
Bonaparte received a crown, a trophy, and a bouquet of flowers at the banquet. She notes that every penny of the money she raised will go to fund Florence-Dillon Area Women’s Missionary Society outreach projects like scholarships for local students, and mission work in Africa.
Bethel AME is located at 1321 South Main Street in Darlington. Their pastor is Rev. Dr. Krystal Sears. Sunday morning worship services begin at 8am with Morning Glory Contemporary Worship and 10 am Traditional Worship; Teaching Ministry is at 9 am Church School on Sunday Mornings and Noon Day Bible Study on Wednesdays. For more on Bethel AME, visit them online at www.betheldarlington.com or on Facebook.
To learn more about community programs and church events affiliated with the Florence-Dillon Area Women’s Missionary Society, contact Jo-Anne Bonaparte at (843) 393-8372.