By Natalie M. Zeigler
City Manager
The City of Hartsville has reached many significant achievements in recent years – major downtown development, business recruitment, neighborhood revitalizations and parks enhancements. Even so, we’ve reached great benchmarks of success for far longer than that.
Nearly 20 years ago, in 1996, we scored a triumph so great that it’s still discussed today, when the National Civic League named us an All-America City. This award is given to 10 communities nationwide annually in recognition of successful efforts by community-building groups to make meaningful improvements in the lives of residents. I’m excited to say that in 2016, we’re going to reach for this honor again with an award application.
In 1996, our award highlighted, among other things, the Christmas in April volunteer program, which connected churches, schools, local businesses and others for the betterment of housing among those who need it most. In 2016, the awards will focus specifically on community-wide health and education strategies which are designed to help children excel in school and in later life.
We’ve already had the initial meetings to make this happen, bringing together many people and organizations which work on behalf of our children. In this space, I could not begin to list all of the wonderful groups advocating for children in Hartsville, but naming a few will give a sense of how diverse and impressive our community’s offerings have become to the young people who embody our future.
Darlington County First Steps serves as one of the groups providing great benefit to our children. Aimed at early childhood development and ensuring that every child arrives at kindergarten ready to learn through a wide variety of programs, the organization benefits everything from parental engagement to teen pregnancy. The PULSE Initiative (Partners for Unparalleled Local Scholastic Excellence), meanwhile, made possible through a $5 million Sonoco grant, covers everything from improving high schoolers’ learning opportunities through collaborative programs from the Governor’s School and Coker College, as well as enhancing our elementary school students’ academic and personal development through the Comer School Development Program.
Some of our other numerous standout examples include the Hartsville Boys & Girls Club, a source of valuable supervision and guidance for young people as they tackle their homework and social development. Cypress Adventures, Inc., comes as one of our newest developments, giving young people outdoor adventure, peer mentoring and service learning experiences to build the skills which will serve them throughout their lives.
We will meet next to discuss our All-America City application Monday, Nov. 23, 9:15 a.m. at Hartsville City Hall, 100 E. Carolina Ave., and everyone interested may attend. Whether or not we have our status as an All-America City reaffirmed, we know that our extraordinary initiatives, education and otherwise, will only continue in Hartsville.
Natalie Zeigler is the City Manager of Hartsville. For more information, call City Hall at 843-383-3015 or email info2@hartsvillesc.gov.