Mount Pleasant employees have a fundraising banner year

By Martine Wolfe-Miller, PIO

MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (December 15, 2008) – As the Lowcountry prepares to celebrate the holiday season, Mount Pleasant employees will be placing bows and labels on more than one hundred presents that will be distributed to needy elementary school children in Mount Pleasant. They will also be wrapping-up a month of bell ringing in support of the Salvation Army.

“It warms my heart to see so many of our employees giving back to the community,” said Mount Pleasant Mayor Harry M. Hallman, Jr. “In difficult economic times, they look out for those in need. Adopt-a-Family is not the only program they have embraced. Each year, our employees raise funds for Trident United Way, the American Heart Association and the Salvation Army. From ringing the Salvation Army bell at Towne Centre, to walking for the annual Heartwalk, or participating in the Day of Caring, they give their time, energy and money to worthy causes. These tough economic conditions and rising costs hit our public employees just as much as they do our citizens.”

“Our employees have also collected food items for East Cooper Community Outreach, East Cooper Meals on Wheels, blankets for wounded soldiers in Iraq, and they routinely give blood to the American Red Cross. Whenever called upon to give back to their community, they do so with great commitment. No business or other organization can compare with the compassion demonstrated by these folks, most of them making $35,000 per year,” concluded Mayor Hallman.

Mount Pleasant employees began taking their shifts to ring the Red Kettle bell at Towne Centre before Thanksgiving. Mount Pleasant was the first municipality to fund a Red Kettle Drive last year, and it has inspired other communities to take part in the drive. “We could not be successful without the generous help of volunteers like the employees of the Town of Mount Pleasant,” said Kiki Cooper, the director of development and public relations for the Salvation Army. “Each year, the Salvation Army is greatly helped by hundreds of volunteers who ring the bell. Mount Pleasant sent in 88 volunteers last year and raised in excess of $4,000. Despite the economic downturn, we are scheduled to exceed that number this year.”

Over the past six years, Mount Pleasant employees have committed to the Trident United Way Campaign in large numbers and have increased their annual contributions from $3,000 to $25,000. “They had their biggest year during a very difficult year, and they should be commended for their dedication,” added Mayor Hallman. “At a time when most municipalities are asked to do more with less, it is remarkable to see Mount Pleasant employees not only meet but powerfully exceed their own expectations.”

Finally, last but not least in their commitment to wellness was the employees’ participation in the American Heart Association’s funding HeartWalk. “Employees fundraised more than $5,000 and exceeded their fundraising goals their first year,” said Lyles Cooper, the director of corporate relations for the American Heart Association. “It was an outstanding opportunity to give back to the community while staying and keeping fit.”

Over the past year, Mount Pleasant employees have raised over $30,000 for their community. They collectively pledge their support to the Town of Mount Pleasant and wish residents a safe and happy holiday season.