11/15/07
Johnsons named Citizens of the Year
By Eric Goold

Eric Goold/Manning Times

Ted and Barbara Johnson, middle, were recognized by the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce as Citizens of the Year last Thursday night at the Cypress Center. The Manning Times Editor and Publisher Cleve Dowell (left) and Chamber President Lamar Kennedy (right) presented the couple with the award.

Ted and Barbara Johnson didn’t expect to be recognized as the Citizens of the Year by the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce.

The surprise had not worn off last Thursday night when the couple was presented with the award at the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner at the Cypress Center.

“We were very surprised,” said Barbara Johnson. “Of course we were very proud and happy to be recognized. We enjoyed it and I thought the dinner was very nice.”

“It was more than a surprise,” said Ted Johnson. “We were really pleased. It is one of those things that you don’t really expect, and we were certainly grateful for it and for the people who recognized us.

“We moved to Clarendon County about four or five years ago,” he said. “This is a place that really allows individuals to become part of the community and for that we’re certainly grateful. A whole mix of different people can come in and be a part of it.”

The Johnson’s were recognized as Citizens of the Year because of their volunteer efforts with the United Ministries, a service organization that helps citizens in crisis. United Ministries serves the emergency needs of citizens who lose their jobs or experience financial crises and need immediate help.

“It started about three years ago,” said Barbara Johnson, speaking from the United Ministries on Tuesday morning. “We’ve been working here since it started. Being a part of this gives you the satisfaction of helping others that are in need. It makes you realize how lucky you are and you realize that there are a lot of people in Clarendon County who need help.”

The Johnson’s helped establish United Ministries in Clarendon County after they worked for a similar organization in Orangeburg, where the couple lived until moving to Clarendon County.

“It’s for crisis intervention,” said Ted Johnson. “It’s not a handout. We interview each and every individual and we keep a file on them so we can help them and guide them and help them get through that crisis.”

When United Ministries first opened its doors three years ago, there were two volunteers. Now the organization has grown substantially, using three interviewers and a cast of volunteers.

“The people of Clarendon County have really opened up to help,” said Ted Johnson. “It’s heartwarming to see. The people of Clarendon County should really applaud themselves for the food drives they’ve put on.

“It takes a whole lot of people to make this happen. It’s not just Barbara and myself,” he said. “Sometimes it takes up to 30 volunteers to do what we do. It’s something that takes a group effort. We also have a very good, dedicated Board that is interested in moving forward.”

Burgess Sprott, a longtime friend of the couple, introduced the Johnson’s at the Chamber dinner. The award was sponsored by The Manning Times, and publisher Cleve Dowell presented the Johnson’s with a plaque along with Chamber President Lamar Kennedy.

“I thought it was a great dinner,” said Ted Johnson. “It was certainly a great opportunity to meet some people and see our friends and it was a nice setting. We were overwhelmed by the introduction and the nice things that were said about us.”

Also at the Chamber dinner, Manning native Jeffrey Black was honored was Business Person of the Year, an award sponsored by the Bank of Clarendon.

The C. Alex Harvin family sponsored the third award, Ambassador of the Year, which Rep. Cathy Harvin presented to Summerton resident and Executive Director of the Cypress Foundation Scherrie Cogdill.

Both Black and Cogdill were unable to attend the dinner because they were out representing Clarendon County elsewhere. They will be officially recognized with their awards in January at the Chamber retreat in Savannah.