Mr. Chuck Wilson, who is the co-chair of the Diocese of South Carolina's Liturgy and Worship Commission, a member of Diocesan Council, the Music Director at Holy Comforter, Jr., has, in his capacity as the Chairman of The Social Justice Consortium (SJC) of the Upper Lowlands announced the creation of a campaign for the relief of Sumter County flood victims. 

The South Carolina Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (SCHFMA) has donated funds to initiate the “SCHFMA Dry Shoes for Kids Campaign”.  Most people are aware of how to decontaminate clothing after a flood, but do not take into consideration that shoes left on the floor in homes also need to be cleaned and in some cases thrown away.  This program targets replacing shoes for school children in need.

HFMA is the professional body for the healthcare finance profession where members get practical resources, insightful thought leadership, support with personal growth and provide access to an influential network of healthcare executives.  In particular, The South Carolina Chapter of HFMA promotes several charity campaigns every year.  Mr. Woody Turner, Chapter President stated today “The SCHFMA takes every opportunity to give back to the communities that our hospitals serve, not only by providing high quality healthcare throughout the state, but by fulfilling many needs that are not as obvious as healthcare delivery.”  Barney Osborne, Chapter Treasurer commented “we have great expectations for this project and hope to expand the donation of shoes to other counties impacted by the flood.  If funds allow, we hope to expand these gifts to school children that lost clothing and other necessary items.”

The program will be administrated by the The Social Justice Consortium of the Upper Lowlands.  Established in 2007, The Consortium has worked with other social justice organizations in the low country in the past to provide water systems and basic necessities for the village of Wome, Togo, South Africa in conjunction with Brighter Day Charities, Inc.  Wilson stated “The recent historic flood has encouraged the Consortium to also focus on our needs of closer to home.”
This project has also received a small grant from the Women of Excellence program started in 2009.

Sumter School District Superintendent Dr. J. Frank Baker said, “We sincerely appreciate the efforts of the Social Justice Consortium and the SC HFMA chapter for this worthwhile project.  The Dry Shoe Fund project will go a long way in helping our students who lost so much during the recent flooding.  The need is there all over our community, and the school district is grateful to organizations such as the consortium and HFMA who support our students and help meet their basic needs.”
Donations may be sent to SJC, PO Box 548, Sumter, SC 29151 Attn: Walter Wilson Jr., or may be hand delivered to the following:

Church of the Holy Comforter
213 North Main Street
Sumter, SC
 
Bullock Funeral Home
1190 Wilson Hall Road
Sumter, SC