A house RESOLUTION

To recognize and declare May 7-8, 2024, as "Palmetto Giving Day" in South Carolina.

Whereas, the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation in Georgetown County facilitates a grassroots collection of local nonprofit organizations for an annual thirty-six-hour giving event to be held beginning on the first Tuesday of May every year, known as Palmetto Giving Day; and

Whereas, with the goal of making Georgetown County a better place to live, work, and play, Palmetto Giving Day aims to utilize the power of collaboration and collective action to make an investment into the community. Philanthropic events like Palmetto Giving Day are paramount to ensuring the success of a community and to achieving a higher quality of life; and

Whereas, this initiative was created in response to the incredible results that were achieved during Lowcountry Giving Day, a regional day of giving hosted through the Coastal Community Foundation in Charleston. After the announcement that Lowcountry Giving Day was ending in 2016, a group of Georgetown County nonprofit leaders, with the support of the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation, collaborated to create an alternative to continue the growth and momentum that had been built in Georgetown; and

Whereas, in the eight years since the Bunnelle Foundation started Palmetto Giving Day more than thirteen million dollars have been donated to nonprofits that serve the residents of Georgetown County. Every year the donation amounts grow steadily: $676,000 in 2017, $1.1 million in 2018, $1.2 million in 2019, $1.7 million in 2020, $2.1 million in 2021, $3.1 million in 2022, and $3.8 million in 2023; and

Whereas, it is a beautiful day in the Palmetto State any time South Carolinians come together in an effort to better the State for the future of all. The members of the House of Representatives commend the efforts these nonprofit leaders have put forth for the future of their communities. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and declare May 7-8, 2024, as "Palmetto Giving Day" in South Carolina.

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