SC7 and Mullikin Law raise funds for Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign
By W. Thomas Smith Jr.
In what has become an annual Christmas tradition for the South Carolina 7 (SC7) expedition and the Mullikin Law Firm, Mullikin family members, employees of the firm and friends of the family gathered at Hobby Lobby in Camden to ring the bells for THE SALVATION ARMY OF THE MIDLANDS.
“The Salvation Army Kettle campaign is truly one of my favorite events of the season,” said Dr. Tom Mullikin, SC7 expedition leader and founding principal-partner at the Mullikin Law Firm. “It’s one of the most personally rewarding experiences of the year.”
SC7 and Mullikin Law jointly rang the bells and manned the kettle in front of the Hobby Lobby entrance every hour from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, Dec. 18.
Last year, SC7 and Mullikin Law received the Salvation Army’s Community Outreach award for “raising far above the average collected in a kettle in one day,” according to Salvation Army officials.
Like 2022, this year the team created awareness and “generated excitement” with local VIP bellringers manning the kettle throughout the day.
“More than simply ringing a bell, it is proclaiming hope,” said Major Mark Craddock, area (five-county region) commander of The Salvation Army. “Every dollar collected fuels critical services for individuals and families in need right here in the Midlands.”
The five counties served by the Salvation Army of the Midlands, include Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Newberry, and Fairfield Counties.
Since 1906, community partners in the Midlands like SC7 and Mullikin Law have helped ring the bell to raise awareness and funds for The Salvation Army. One of many programs supported by Midlands-area kettle funds is the Christmas Angel Tree program, providing children with new toys and clothing. Kettle funds also support the Salvation Army’s social services department which provides for housing stability (preventing homelessness), meals served and food service for homeless shelters, as well as youth development, including summer camps and reading programs.
– Pictured (L-R) are Kershaw County Councilman Brant Tomlinson; Col. (Ret.) Steve Vitali, USMC; Toby Edwards, executive director of the Carolina Cup Racing Association; Kershaw County Councilman Derek A. Shoemake; Dr. Tom Mullikin, and Maria Ouzounidis, director of public affairs for Mullikin Law. Standing in front of the kettle is Gibbes Tomlinson, daughter of Councilman Tomlinson and granddaughter of Dr. Mullikin.