John Lawrence Sandy has been selected as the 2019 recipient of the Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club Angel Oak Award. Each year the award recognizes a volunteer whose services contributed significantly to the citizens of Wadmalaw and Johns Island.
Mr. Sandy has served as the volunteer Field Coordinator for the Sea Islands Water Wellness Mission (WWM) for three years. The sole mission of the organization is to install new wells and filtration systems for the hundreds of people on Wadmalaw and Johns Islands who suffer from impure water and dysfunctional wells. As field coordinator, he is responsible for the overall process, including accepting, prioritizing, and submitting applications for permits, scheduling the well driller, plumber and electrician for each project, and reviewing invoices for payment. To date, John has been involved in the installation of 70 water wells on Wadmalaw and Johns Islands. What sets him apart from others is his personal dedication to the families he serves. Mr. Sandy dedicates 5-6 days a week to his volunteer effort and is on call 24/7. John takes the time to know the families he helps, and the families trust John. He lives his mission to help others in their time of need.
Prior to the Water Wellness Project, Mr. Sandy served as a volunteer for the Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club as construction supervisor for the Florence Crittenton Home Garden Reconstruction Project in downtown Charleston. He spent nearly a year on this project overseeing the contractors who provided the site clearing, demolition, drainage work and construction on the site. Mr. Sandy is also a mainstay of the Rockville Presbyterian Church Meals on Monday Program (MOMS).
Mr. Sandy will be recognized at a dinner dance to be held on February 19, 2020. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium which Mr. Sandy has designated for assignment to the Sea Island Water Wellness Mission. Guests are welcome to attend the banquet for a $60 fee. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Roger Steel at 843-768-7166 or vivrog@bellsouth.net.
-Submitted by Thad Peterson