LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Let’s remember the legacy of Jim and Billie Hardee
My most vivid memory of the Hardees was the year of the Durant Children’s Center’s “Cookies and Cocoa with Santa” event at the Center at 226 S. Irby St. in Florence where Jim was a most convincing Santa and Billie was an equally perfect Mrs. Claus.
The children who came were thrilled and were absolutely convinced that what they asked Santa for would definitely be in place Christmas morning. No doubt.
April was National Child Abuse Prevention Month and nobody knew the impact of what so many boys had suffered in their early years than Billie and Jim Hardee.
They were incredibly supportive and encouraging when the Pee Dee Coalition was developed in 1986 and continued to be a partner in our mutual work to promote safety and healing for those young people who had experienced trauma. We miss the Home that did such exemplary work but believe strongly that these two outstanding angels to so many children are busy at work in the heaven where they belong.
Let’s remember their legacy and do our part to see, hear and act if we suspect child abuse or neglect.
Ellen C. Hamilton,
Executive Director
Pee Dee Coalition Against
Domestic and Sexual
Assault
