Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Two members of the Blackville community were recognized at the May 20 town council meeting.
Vivian Tobin Alston and Gwendolyn Ford Littlejohn were presented with appreciation awards by fellow Blackville Downtown Development Association (BDDA) members for their years of dedicated and selfless service to the Town of Blackville. Alston and Littlejohn have both served in many capacities for many years.
Theresa Hughes, secretary and now BDDA acting president, presented the awards alongside the town council.
Littlejohn has been involved with the BDDA since the early 2000s, when she began attending the meetings alongside her mother who shared a similar spirit for building the community.
She became president in 2011 and only recently retired. During her presidency, she focused on making the downtown BDDA office a center for tourists and providing visitors important information.
“I was excited, and glad they thought of me that way,” said Littlejohn, who is glad to know her community feels she made a positive impact.
The BDDA has purchased banners for light poles across town and American flags for display. They have installed two library boxes at apartment complexes, and donate to the town’s beautification efforts.
Local business owners have been recognized by Littlejohn, Alston, and the BDDA and welcomed to receptions over the years geared toward sharing ideas on bettering the town.
Notably, the BDDA has hosted the Taste of Blackville food festival for 14 consecutive years.
Alston has been a member of the BDDA for nearly 20 years, and initially got involved to give back.
“I just wanted to be a part of the community,” said Alston, who is always ready to “do what I can in the community and for the community.”
She organizes the town’s blessing boxes, manages the community garden, and ensures local seniors receive daily meals.
Blessing boxes are filled with non-perishable food items for individuals to take and give as needed, and Alston can often be found stocking the shelves.
The community garden serves as a one-stop produce shop in the summertime. Last summer, the okra Alston grew stood nearly as tall as her. She also organizes work days for volunteers to stop by and help tend to the vegetables.
She is also a volunteer of the Community of Hope Ministry who distributes food locally from Golden Harvest Food Bank. Alston ensures seniors are delivered the meals they need.
She is thankful to the BDDA and the town for the recognition, stating she felt very honored.
The BDDA also has an ongoing memorial brick project, where community members can purchase an engraved brick in honor of a loved one to be placed around the town clock.
For more information on the BDDA, visit their Facebook page ‘Blackville Downtown Development Association,’ or visit their page on the Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber of Commerce’s website.
