Pilot Club officers attend Pilot International Convention
Pilot Club of Darlington President Kimberly Nelson, President-Elect Judy Langley and Secretary Ginger Ridgill recently attended the 98th Pilot International Convention in Chicago.
They were among more than 600 Pilots who participated in this global event that drew representatives from more than three countries and geographic areas around the world.
Nelson said, “I truly was blessed to spend time with some wonderful ladies in Chicago at the International Pilot Club Convention. Thank God for a safe trip there and back. I learned so much about supporting families who have family members that suffer from brain injuries. Be More, Care More and Do More. Pilot Club is an organization that pours into the community through service.”
Nelson is married to James Nelson and they have two sons, Nicholas and James Jr., and two granddaughters, Kemoni and Jersey. She attends Nazareth Apostolic Church in Hartsville, where she is the youth pastor.
Nelson is a captain with the Darlington Police Department. She serves in several roles within the department. She is over the Investigative Department, School Resource Officers and the Narcotics Unit.
She is also victim’s advocate, public information officer and the community outreach organizer. She has been in law enforcement for 21 years. She previously worked for the Darlington County School District as Safety, Security and Risk Management Technician, where she administered safety, security and risk management programs for the district and its schools. She was also a member of the district’s Incident Response Team.
Nelson holds an Associate of Arts in criminal justice from Florence-Darlington Technical College, a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Coker College, a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University and a Criminal Justice Post-Master’s Certificate from Northcentral University.
Convention highlights included a flag ceremony with Pilots from around the world who marched along with their country’s flag. Pilot attendees packed 1,000 back-to-school backpacks with supplies and donated them to Cradles to Crayons in Chicago. Pilot International also announced a new safety helmet initiative, to expand and enhance its brain health and safety initiative. Through a matching grant program, Pilot Clubs across the U.S. will distribute the signature helmets in their local communities.
Additionally, convention attendees attended workshops, learned about issues facing communities globally, elected international officers, voted on the 2019-2020 Pilot International Budget and helped set the future direction for Pilot International.
Locally, Darlington Pilot Club members make an impact in the community through service, such as Pick-Me-Ups for Caregivers and BrainMinders for children and seniors. Proceeds from fundraisers such as the South Carolina Sweet Potato Festival have been used to award an annual scholarship, provide Christmas gifts to needy children, support Camp Burnt Gin, provide BrainMinder safety materials and helmets to children, and support many local causes. The club looks forward to hosting a table at The Taste of Darlington this year.
The Darlington Pilot Club has 40 members and meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 pm. Pilot clubs are groups of men and women that identify needs within their communities and work together to fulfill those needs. For more information or to get involved with the Darlington Pilots Club, contact Nelson at 843-398-4026.
Pilot International is a community-based volunteer service organization founded in 1921 in Macon, Ga., on the principles of “Friendship and Service.”
The name “Pilot” was inspired by the mighty riverboat pilots of that day who represented leadership and guidance.
With almost 7,000 members in some 300 Pilot Clubs, Pilots are across the U.S., the Bahamas, Japan and South Africa.
Pilots carry out their mission to “Do More, Care More and Be More” by providing financial and hands-on support for national and local initiatives in keeping with its causes of youth development and leadership; brain safety and fitness; and caring for families in times of need.
In addition, there are some 7,000 school-level Anchor Club members worldwide. Through a professionally developed curriculum and strategic partnerships, Pilot encourages and provides opportunities for youth development and leadership.
Pilot International remains headquartered in Macon, where its staff serves its international constituency. Learn more about Pilot friendship and service opportunities by visiting pilotinternational.org, www.darlingtonpilotclub.org, the Pilot Club of Darlington Facebook page or by contacting any Pilot Club member.