Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry

2007 Volunteer Awards

Volunteers, donors, and staff members of Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry were honored for their service to the organization at the recent International Literacy Day celebration held at Key Infiniti.

Event host, Anthony Viola, General Manager of Key Infiniti, began the evening welcoming guests with words of support for LVL, citing that LVL "provides a service that is critical to improving the lives of people in the Lowcountry - helping them learn to read. As part of the New River Auto Mall, and as leaders in the business community, we recognize the importance of having an educated labor pool and productive citizens to employ."

Among members of the community honored at this year's event were Key Infiniti and TidePointe, a Classic Residence by Hyatt. These two businesses shared the Business Partner Award for outstanding contributions to LVL's Cooks & Books" fundraiser held last April. WTOC-TV and TV commentator, Sonny Dixon, were also honored for their role in publicizing "Cooks & Books" and named Media Partner of the Year.

LVL Executive Director, Nancy L. Williams, presents to the Bill Bligen Champion of Literacy Award to Ed McCullough, WHHI talk-show host and ardent LVL supporter.

The 2007 Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Ellen Meehan, and Porfirio Cardelas, of Hilton Head, was named the 2007 Bill Bligen Adult Literacy Student. While holding down two jobs, Porfirio steadily increased his English fluency, seldom missing a class in over three years.

Longtime supporter and advocate of literacy and Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry, Ed McCullough, was named the 2007 Bill Bligen Champion of Literacy. The award was especially meaningful to Ed as he and the award's namesake, Bill Bligen, became friends prior to Bill's death several years ago. Bill, an LVL student for 13 years, was a frequent guest on Ed's "Talk of the Town" television show on WHHI.

Many LVL volunteers and staff were also cited for their continued devotion to LVL's mission. Receiving 5 years of service pins were: Bill Burger, Lane Ehmke, Laura Hrubi, Art Pehrson, Ellie Pierce, Cylene Rantilla, Berta Slenker, Jane Stuart, Paul Tarasuk, Betty Tufts, and Christianne Urbain. Six- year service pin winners included: Marilyn Allpress, Marjorie Conner, Sandra Fischer, Pat Korb, Pat Ralff, Jane Riley, Jorge Sosa, and Pat Ward. Seven year pin recipients are: Argelia Balzola, Barbara Bates, Tim Drake, Dodi Eschenbach, Janet Law, Elaine Letizia, and Su Mercier.
Receiving pins for eight years of services were: Cassandra Campbell, Patricia Joyce and Barbara Scharfenberg. Pins for nine years went to Mary Anne Bastek, Ann Diercxsens, Ruby Fudge, Edde Lund, Charlie McOuat, Sherrie Sauer, and Mary Tracy. Ten- year pins were given to Carol Bruno, Elyse Meister, Peggy Resnick, Kathy Stricker, and Juliann Wallis.

Karen Brown, Sue Glancey, and Pat Orlando were honored for 11 years and Lari Dhein and Lore Krieger for 12 years of service. Cited for 13 years were Margaret Fullam and Cindi Riley. Harry Ammon and Loretta Healey were named for 15 years. Executive Director, Nancy Williams, was recognized for her longevity with 16 years of service.

Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry has served Beaufort County for thirty-four years and is the oldest, largest, and only countywide provider of adult literacy services. It is the only accredited affiliate of ProLiteracy America's 22 affiliates in South Carolina.

Bluffton resident, Louise Lewis, has joined Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry as the community outreach coordinator in county areas south of the Broad River.

In her position at LVL, Louise will build relationships with African-American community leaders and churches in order to increase access to LVL's basic literacy programs.

"We are very excited to have Louise on board as our outreach coordinator," LVL Executive Director Nancy Williams said. "Louise brings a very strong background in education. Her work in literacy and reading are an excellent fit for this position."

Louise and her husband, Richard, moved to Sun City a little over a year ago from Charlotte, North Carolina. Louise is a career educator with a background in reading, ESL, literacy, and educational training. She holds a BS in Education from Fayetteville State University, a Masters of Human Development and Learning, Administration Certification, and Mentor Certification from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

The community outreach programs in northern and southern Beaufort County are being funded in part by the Long Cove Club Community Endowment Fund and the Wish You Well Foundation of Reston, VA.