Thomas A. Henry, Jr. is a member of Boy Scouts of America Troop 725, supported by the Knightsville United Methodist Church. Thomas, who joined the Scouts in January 2000, achieved his Eagle rank last year. He chose the new Palmetto House Residence as his required community project. Thomas elected to build a playground containing 90 square feet of deck space and 22 play activities for children temporarily staying at the residence.

Robert Herman was only seven when he decided to help the Palmetto House. At his birthday party he asked his guests not to bring presents for him, but a financial contribution to help fund the construction of the new Palmetto House facility. Proudly he presented a check for $36.00.

This year saw another young man, Jake Birdsong, an 9 year old 4rd grader at Pinewood Preparatory for the fourth consecutive year, eschewed receiving personal gifts at his birthday party and instead had party guests bring donations of food, paper products, toiletries and money for the Palmetto House. When asked how this tradition started, Jake replied: “we were at Myrtle Beach when an old man came up to the car and asked for money. My mother asked if he was sick and he said ‘yes’. Later my mother explained the situation and I prayed for the man. Then I decided to do something for others that were homeless.”