April News from the Palmetto Palace

Welcome to our very first newsletter!

We are so excited to have you as part of The Palmetto Palace community. Your support and engagement mean the world to us, and we look forward to keeping you informed about the life-changing work we are doing together.

Community support has always been our greatest strength. Through the most uncertain times, including the challenges of COVID-19, we stood strong because of you—our partners, volunteers, and supporters. After three years of closure, we were blessed to be selected as a trusted provider for COVID-19 testing and vaccine administration. To everyone who came for testing and vaccines, and to our incredible teammates who worked tirelessly to serve, we thank you.

We also want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the businesses that donated products, funded our efforts, or volunteered to help us support our communities. Your generosity made a lasting impact, and we could not have done it without you.

Photo by Henry Taylor/Staff (Post & Courier)

Now, we are growing and expanding our impact:

Our mobile health unit has been officially relaunched for the past 23 months, now offering all the critical services it was designed to provide.

Our forthcoming education lab on wheels is in the works! We are actively looking for volunteers—learn more here about current opportunities.

Our community choice market is now open at the Gussie Green Community Center in North Charleston. This vital initiative provides fresh food options with dignity and choice. Learn about current volunteer opportunities at the market here!

We are growing and would love to welcome new volunteers, business leaders, and community members who want to donate time, resources, or funding to support these essential initiatives.

As we move forward, I want to leave you with a simple but powerful truth—an individual can do so little, but a group can do so much. Together, we are making a lasting impact, and we invite you to be part of this incredible journey.

If you are interested in volunteering, partnering, or supporting any of our initiatives, please reply to this email or visit palmettopalace.org to learn more.

Thank you for being part of The Palmetto Palace Family. We can’t wait to share more with you in our upcoming newsletters!

With gratitude,

Youlanda Gibbs, EdD

The Palmetto Palace, Executive Director

We are thrilled to share exciting updates about the 4th Annual Orangeburg Day of Hope on July 19th and the first annual Day of Hope Car Show! As we prepare for this incredible event, we want to ensure you stay informed and have the opportunity to get involved.

Day of Hope 2025 – A Special Year

While this will be our 4th annual Day of Hope, we recognize that 2025 marks five years since its inception. In 2024, the event was postponed due to a large event in Orangeburg, SC, which conflicted with our scheduled date. However, we are excited to return stronger than ever on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds alongside the Honorable Gilda Cobb-Hunter.

Her support, along with the participation of so many organizations, truly highlights what unity in a community looks like. This event is more than just a gathering—it’s a chance to bring vital resources to rural communities, provide critical services, and create lasting connections.

LEARN MORE

New & Exciting Additions

This year, we are introducing the first annual Day of Hope Car Show, which will not only bring car enthusiasts together but also provide a fun and engaging way to attract more attendees and expand our outreach.

How You Can Help - DOH Volunteer Opportunities

We need the support of dedicated volunteers and sponsors to help make our July 19th Day of Hope event in Orangeburg a success!

In 2023, over 4,000 community members attended the Day of Hope, and we expect an even greater turnout this year. That’s why we are starting early to spread the word on as many platforms as possible to ensure the message reaches those who need these services the most.

We can’t wait to see the community come together once again for this amazing day of hope, resources, and support. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!

VOLUNTEER FOR THIS YEAR’S EVENT!

Team Highlight: Meet Nurse Ladson

Marie Ladson is our Intake Nurse and an Advisory Council member of the Palmetto Palace's Community Choice Market.

She has over 38 years of experience in the medical field. Nurse Ladson served as an LPN at Roper-St Francis Healthcare for 23 years and subsequently worked at the Medical University of South Carolina for 15 years, where she was an outreach specialist in one of the clinics.

Marie is affiliated with Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Ravenel, SC, where she actively participates on various boards and auxiliaries, including the Food Bank Outreach and the Health Ministry.

Currently, Marie is employed by the Palmetto Palace as an intake nurse. She assists community members, particularly those without access to healthcare or insurance.

We are incredibly grateful for Nurse Marie Ladson, whose dedication and kindness make a lasting impact on both our patients and our team. She is always willing to step up, offering her support wherever it is needed with flexibility and a compassionate heart. Her kindness toward our patients is truly inspiring, and her contributions to our market have been invaluable. She is not only a joy to work with but also a wonderful cheerleader for our organization, bringing positivity and encouragement to everything she does. We are so lucky to have her as part of The Palmetto Palace family.

Building Healthier, Stronger Communities Together

Exciting Updates!

Community Choice Pantry Expansion: We are excited to announce that the Community Choice Pantry will soon expand to a new location at the Former Rivelon Elementary School in Orangeburg, SC. Starting August 16th, we will be serving the community every 3rd Saturday from 9 AM – 3 PM.

Mobile Health Unit Transition Update: Saturday, March 15th was the final day the Mobile Health Unit served at its current location in Orangeburg. We are deeply grateful to Faith Church Santee for their unwavering support and partnership during this season of service.

We’re excited about what’s ahead as we move into the next chapter of expanding our outreach and impact. Thank you for being part of the journey!

Volunteer Spotlight: We want to give a huge shout-out to our incredible volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to supporting our mission. Interested in volunteering? Join us and make an impact!

Get Involved

Your support makes a difference! Whether you volunteer, donate, or spread the word, you are helping us create a healthier, stronger community.

Follow us on social media for updates and upcoming events.
Visit our website to learn more about our programs and initiatives.
Donate today to help us continue our mission. Every contribution counts!
Forward this newsletter, or share this link for others to join the list!

Thank you for being a part of The Palmetto Palace family. Together, we are changing lives!