The Angel Oak Award was established by the Exchange Club of Kiawah-Seabrook Foundation in 2012 to recognize a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to the people or the quality of life on Johns Island, Wadmalaw Island, Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island. As a part of the award, the Club makes a $5,000 donation to a local charitable organization or organizations of the recipient’s choice.
The Angel Oak Award Honoree for 2023 is Dr. Louise Baucom. The Award selection committee was blown away by the breadth and depth of her volunteer activities. As her nominator, Shirley Salvo, stated: “I know personally how essential she is to the Sea Islands Blessing Basket program, but there is no question that she is an extraordinary volunteer that makes a difference in so many areas of need.” The committee agreed that Dr. Baucom is a worthy Angel Oak Award recipient due to her numerous volunteer activities that greatly benefit the residents of Johns and Wadmalaw islands.
Louise has been a volunteer for the Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation (SIHAF) Blessing Basket for the past six years. The Blessing Basket is a food distribution program that provides healthy food for economically disadvantaged families. As the Volunteer Coordinator, Louise is responsible for the recruiting and scheduling of more than 60 volunteers each month that engage in the purchasing, packaging, delivery, and drive-through distribution to 265 families on the second Saturday of every month. Dr. Baucom is also a member of the SIHAF Board of Directors and is currently the Secretary. For more information about the numerous organizations supported by SIHAF visit www.fightislandhunger.org.
In addition to her work with SIHAF, Louise and her husband Barry personally deliver several food packages to shut-ins each month. They also participate in Meals on Wheels by delivering meals to 19 Johns Island residents three times each week. She has assisted another Angel Oak Award recipient, Allen Reed, in the very successful Angel Oak Elementary School Summer Program and has represented the Church of Our Saviour in connection with the Betty Stringfellow High School Scholarships for Johns Island students.
Dr. Baucom has thirty-eight years of experience in the fields of elementary and higher education. Her early teaching career involved elementary school teaching in North and South Carolina, as well as six years teaching orthopedically handicapped children. She earned a Master’s degree in Special Education prior to entering the field of higher education and completed her Ph.D. in 1986. She taught teacher education courses and supervised elementary level student teachers at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for twenty-seven years.
Louise will be honored at the Angel Oak Award Banquet which will be held at Wingate Place, 3850 River Road, Johns Island on May 15, 2024 at 5:30 pm. Ticket prices are $100, and attendance will be limited to 150 persons. It is anticipated that the event will sell out. Angel Oak Award Banquet is one of the most significant fund raisers for the Exchange Club of Kiawah-Seabrook Foundation which distributed grants totaling more than $160,000 in 2023-24. You can use the QR code below to register for the banquet or please visit www.ks-exchangeclub.com to inquire about sponsorship levels or make a donation.
-Submitted by Bob Leggett