Several awards were presented at the Dillon County Chamber of Commerce annual banquet on Thursday, February 1st.

Citizen Of The Year
Linda R. Thornton was named the Dillon County Citizen of the Year.
Linda R. Thornton is a Dillon native. She is the second eldest child of the late Harvey and Mary Rogers, Jr. She attended Dillon School system and is a 1967 graduate of Gordon High School. After high school, Linda continued her education at Morris College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education. Upon completion of college, Linda moved to Virginia and taught school for four years in the Prince Edward County school district. After meeting and marrying the late William E. Thornton she returned back to Dillon and continued working as an Educator. In 1984, Linda went back to school to obtain a Master’s degree in Mathematics Education and completed this degree with honors in 1987. Shortly thereafter she became a single mother and had to raise her girls with the support of her village, which included her parents and sisters. It was this time that cultivated what would become her passion and life’s work.
Linda has always believed in the power of education for promotion in a career. She has been an ambassador for education for both her family and the families she has served. She retired from education in 2002 after a 33-year career. During this new chapter I her life, she began forming what is now Berean Community Development Corporation a 501c3 nonprofit organization. In this new chapter, she worked with single moms in the Allentown community of Latta, SC. Before Berean CDC was officially formed, she was helping mothers in this area by providing an After-school program. This launched the Summer School program because the kids were going to be out of school all summer with nothing to do. Each new program became a springboard for the next program which was implemented to address a need in the community. From that time to present, she works to help single moms all over the Pee Dee region meet the needs of their households. She has sought and received grant funding for programs totaling over one million dollars to date. These funds have provided direct assistance to families in our area. If you have not had the privilege of working close to her, you would not know how devout she is about helping families who are struggling. It is for the reason we, her family would like to acknowledge and celebrate her commitment to the plight of single mothers.

Dolph Braddy Award
The Dolph Braddy Award was presented to John M. Kirby, Jr. This year’s recipient of the Dolph Braddy Award has a long, storied career of public and community service and is a generous supported of the Rotary’s “Happy Feet” program. Among the organizations in which he has served or is now serving include: Marion County Arts Council Board of Directors, Latta Springfest Committee, Latta Arts Committee Board Chair, Town of Latta Revitalization Executive Committee Board Chairs, and Latta Rotary Club where he was named Citizen of the Year. He was an Instrumental in securing funding for the first Downtown Latta Arts Center and is an avid supporter of the Latta Senior Citizens group. He is a founding supporter of the historical Latta Downtown Veterans Park and is an annual Latta Pig Pickin’ sponsor.
This years’ recipient serves on the Board of Trustees for Northeastern Technical College and serves as the chair of the Northeastern Technical College Foundation Board. He and his wife received the 2015 Marion Medallion Award for their service to the people of the Pee Dee area. They also support local students through endowed scholarships at two local universities and two technical colleges. He has worked to institute trips abroad for students, so that they can not only experience life beyond our area but also study art and history through visits to nation museums and cultural centers in various countries.
His role in promoting academics and the arts has been long standing. His dream of having a venue for the arts became reality when a major benefactor contributed the initial funds to remodel Latta’s 1954 gym to build the Ellis Performing Arts Center. He loves to see students experience the world and watch them learn. Believing that what he pays forward now will inspire students to also give back as they make their way in life.
His dedicated leadership in the schools, community and the greater Pee Dee area helps make his community a better place for all citizens.

Volunteer Of The Year
The Volunteer of the Year awards were the next ones presented. Volunteers are so important. Often, they never realize the contributions they make to an organization or a business. There are so many ways to volunteer. Direct con tact or behind the scenes are equally needed and important. The 2017 Volunteers were more behind the scenes workers this past year. Sending a text in the morning to wish you a Blessed day, saying a prayer for you when you were faced with a difficult decision reminding you they are there to help, accepting packages, letters, proofing correspondence, putting a note on your door telling visitors you were detained in a meeting or even volunteering their children when you needed help. These are just a few things Teresa Caulder (not present) and Krystle Ladson did this past year. They were the two recipients.

Citizenship And
Service Award
Mindy Taylor presented the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award. Taylor said, in order to recognize people and organizations that make a difference in the communities we serve, Duke Energy established the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award to honor citizens or organizations for their volunteer leadership. This is a tribute to those who make a difference in their communities by using their time, talents and compassion to positively impact the lives of others. Recipients of the award help foster a culture of citizenship and service that acts as a catalyst for others to become involved in civic and social activities.
A lady by the name of Carol Ryrie Brink said “the most truly generous persons are those who give silently without hope of praise or reward.” And this statement is very true of this year’s recipient. In preparing my write up for tonight, I decided to go on the internet to get additional details and found very little information. But I know their fellow citizens will know who I am talking about.
The award winner this year is an organization which gives very generously of its time, talents and resources to others in Dillon County. Their involvement includes Helping Hands Food Pantry, the Dillon County Partnership 4 Kids, Ramps To Go, the Dillon County Free Medical Clinic, Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Assault, Red Cross, among numerous others.
Roy T. Bennett said “Help others without any reason and give without the expectation of receiving anything in return.” I believe their mission is to simply help others who are in need in their community. And they do so without any reservation or desire for recognition.
This year’s recipient of the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award was the Robert S. and Vivian I. Johnson Foundation.