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HGTC Employees Donate Presents to Waccamaw Youth Center for Angel Tree project.
In the spirit of giving this holiday season, Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) employees have once again demonstrated their commitment to community service by supporting the Waccamaw Youth Center in Conway. The HGTC Academic and Workforce Development Division organized the annual "blue jeans week" fundraiser, rallying employees to contribute to a meaningful cause.
This year, the focus was on raising funds for the Waccamaw Youth Center, which provides a safe and comforting home for at-risk youth in South Carolina. HGTC employees enthusiastically embraced the initiative, collectively raising over $1,175 to contribute to the center's ongoing efforts.
Kari Royals (left), HGTC Administrative Assistant for Academic and Workforce Development, presents $1,175 check to Jay Pratt (right), Executive Director for The Waccamaw Youth Center. (left to right) Kari Royals, HGTC Administrative Assistant, Academic and Workforce Development, Jay Pratt, Waccamaw Youth Center Executive Director
Generous contributions from HGTC employees and students went beyond monetary donations, with a heartfelt collection of food, cleaning supplies, clothes, pots & pans, and more. As part of the holiday spirit, HGTC employees also participated in the Angel Tree project, adopting the boys at the Waccamaw Youth Center to ensure they experience the joy of the season.
The Waccamaw Youth Center, founded in 1988 and incorporated in 1991, has been a beacon of hope for abandoned, abused, and neglected youth in South Carolina. Recognizing the critical need for housing for this vulnerable demographic, the Center has provided "A Place to Call Home" since its opening in February 2001. Over the years, more than 200 young men have benefitted from the center's commitment to nurturing their emotional and behavioral needs.
"We are immensely proud of our HGTC employees for their generosity and commitment to making a positive impact in our community," said Nicole Hyman, HGTC Public Relations Director. "This fundraiser and collection highlight the true spirit of the holidays, bringing joy and support to those who need it most."
The Waccamaw Youth Center expressed gratitude for the support, emphasizing the significance of community partnerships in their mission to provide a stable and caring environment for at-risk youth.
"We are profoundly grateful for the unwavering support and generosity shown by the Horry-Georgetown Technical College community. Their commitment to our mission during this holiday season, through both the 'blue jeans week' fundraiser and the heartwarming Angel Tree project, has touched the lives of our young residents in a profound way. The contributions, both monetary and in-kind, extend beyond material gifts—they represent a shared belief in the potential for positive change and growth in the lives of at-risk youth. On behalf of the Waccamaw Youth Center, I extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire HGTC family for being a beacon of hope and making a lasting impact on our mission to provide 'A Place to Call Home' for the young men we serve," said Jay Pratt, Executive Director.