The multifaceted idea of service has been bouncing around my head since I attended the 100th anniversary of the Junior League of Columbia in March. South Carolina and especially Anderson County have a long history of outstanding role models in the area of service. I was so inspired as I sat in that room of powerful purpose-driven women. There was much talk about creating our individual legacies. I was empowered to roll up my sleeves and get to work.
You don’t have to look hard to see the legacies of service all around us daily. Jennie Gilmer is proof that one person can change the landscape. She began the process in 1904 that gave us Anmed Health. I was interested in some viewpoints on service from some who are giving their all to our community. Service truly does make a difference and the biggest secret might be what you get in return. The joy of making a difference is such a blessing.
My dear friend, and our former Mayor and Clerk of Court, Richard Shirley was the embodiment of servant leadership. He always spoke of how the joy of living came from helping others. His challenge was to enter each room and listen for how you can make a difference. He never wanted any credit. He was the behind-the-scenes driver for so many things that bless Anderson daily. We truly achieve so much more than we focus on what we can do right now, in this very room to help.
Julie Barton has certainly created a legacy of service. She has served on countless boards where she has been generous to our community with her time, talent, and treasure. She was lucky to have mentors such as Callie Stringer Rainey, Mary Allen, and Mary Rast Ramseur. She states,” My parents, Jim and Betty Barton, stressed the importance of giving back.” She is proud of those who continue to serve. “I’m currently grateful to watch a new generation of philanthropists working and giving back and carrying on the legacy of service that my mentors established for me.
Ann Herbert always says, “You can’t take without Giving.” I have had the privilege of looking up to her my entire life. She does it all. She serves through the Foothills Community Foundation, Anmed Foundation, TBA, Rocky River Swamp, Gambrill Foundation, Brighter Christmas Fund, and the Cancer Association Capital Campaign at present. She attests to the optimism that comes from volunteering. She sees our Anderson legacy of service as strong and speaks of all the friendships she has forged through her service. She believes Anderson has been blessed. “ The strength of a City is influenced by its Community Leaders, Givers, Faithful Volunteers, and Friends who believe in its Success.” Anderson stands strong.
Beth Batson, who recently was the City of Anderson’s Ambassador as the International Michelin Cities embarked on Anderson, feels grateful to her parents for her perspective on service and the joy it has brought her. “Service is love showing up as action.” Speaking of her parents, “I watched as they served each other, our family, our church, and our community. As they modeled service it never felt like an obligation, it felt like a privilege.”
Hugh and Rita Burgess, Ambassadors of the Year for Anderson Area Chamber and Rotary District 7750, say the first thing that comes to mind when they think of service is the State of South Carolina Motto. Dum Spiro Spero, While I Breathe, I Hope. Service to them is all about Hope. “When we Give Hope we have the potential to Change Lives.” These two have lived a life of service. I would need ten pages to even begin to list all they have given to our community. From Meals of Wheels deliveries, Welcome Baptist Church Sunday School teachers, Anderson University, AIM, Anmed Foundation to Cart and Rotary and everywhere in between they have served up hope and love. They stand as role models for us all. When you ask them why. You get an answer so profoundly simple, “because it matters”! Service matters and giving hope changes lives. I would love to know how many lives they have changed for the positive. I know I can be counted in that number.
Mary Harriman, the founder of the Association of Junior Leagues, has a famous quote. “We have the Responsibility to act and we have the opportunity to conscientiously act to affect the environment about us.” We never know how far-reaching our service will be. We must not fail to recognize the impact our local civic organizations have on our community. They truly connect the dots in a unique way. They add tighter layers to the safety net our charities, churches, and community leaders shape over our county. The Junior League of Anderson is 89. The Anderson County Woman’s Club is 53 years old. The Anderson Rotary Club is about to turn 107. I believe the Masonic order beats us all as they have been doing civic duty in Anderson for 177 years. There are countless opportunities to connect with Anderson’s legacy of service. You just might be the missing piece that brings something new and wonderful to our county.
Sadly, those willing to serve with their time, talent, and treasure are shrinking by the minute. Census Rates are dropping but they are also deceiving because to be counted you only have to attest to one time of service per year. True service is a way of life and a healthy addition. It brings so much joy that you seek more and more opportunities to serve.
I guess this is a call to service as well as a lens of awe for all those who have come before us. We stand on their shoulders. Let’s make them proud.