New organization aims to help children
Youth are our future and our hope. To value our youth is to nurture and support their continuous development with the promise that we’re laying the groundwork for a better tomorrow. A new organization has been formed in Darlington County that is looking toward the future by investing in the community’s underserved youth and families. Organized in October, the Genesis Community Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) with a mission “to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged and underserved youth and their families through education and advocacy as well as to serve, to provide, and to unite all communities within and across the county of Darlington as well as Olanta and across the entire state of South Carolina.” “The Genesis Community Foundation is a significant investment in our county and our citizens. The Foundation is poised to make an impact on some of the unique challenges that face this part of the state. The board has already had many discussions about the opportunities that this foundation brings to the region. The board and staff look forward to serving the area,” said Mal Hyman, board chairman, GCF. GCF board members have years of experience in education, family services, business, finance, and the faith community from across the region. Board members include Dr. Andre Boyd, Florence-Darlington Technical College; Debra Brown, Diamond Hill Plywood; Dyan Cohen, community liaison; Rev. Ragland Coxe, St. Matthews Church; and Willie Lee Pearson, Bay Island Seafood Restaurant. Mal Hyman of Coker University serves as chairman, David Corry, Edward Jones Investments, is vice-chairman, and Kimberly Nelson, Darlington County School District, is secretary. Ex-officio members include Tony R. Megna, CEO of Genesis Healthcare Inc. and Alexander H. Cohen, M.D., of Genesis Healthcare. GCF staff include Patsy Sawyer as executive director, Sharman Poplava as finance director, and T.C. (Thomas) Sawyer as corporate gifts director. Genesis Community Foundation is located at the Matthews and King Education Center, 115B Exchange St., P.O. Box 516, Darlington.
