Blog

Betty Jo and Mary's Closet is preparing for their 11th year supplying teachers across our community with the materials they need to keep their classroom stocked without having to spend money out of pocket.  This week our President (right) presented Rotarian Jennifer Erwin (left) with a check for $250 to offset some of that cost.  Jennifer and her husband have been spearheading this effort since it's inception.

Our newest member is no stranger to helping the community and impacting the world.  Kristina Sutherly currently works at the Abbeville County Library System as the Health Advocate and Special Initiatives Manager where she gets to pursue her passion for helping others achieve a healthier quality of life.  She moved to Abbeville in 2013 with her husband, Ron, and is eager to contribute her skills and experience to the Club's mission.  In her leisure time, you can find her engrossed in a book, taking a walk, or tending her garden; she finds the most joy when digging in the dirt in one other many flower beds.   

Each year the Abbeville Rotary Club selects several high school seniors who exemplify the ways of Rotary to be the recipients of a merit based scholarship.  Each student must excel academically as well as be involved in service to their school and their community.  This year, five students were selected from various high schools to receive $1,000 toward their higher education goals.  Meet your 2024 Scholars:
Tymon Thomas, Abbeville High School Bottom Left
Involvement: Academic Team, Beta Club, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Basketball
Community Service: Angel Tree, Special Olympics
Tymon plans to attend Clemson University to pursue a degree in computer science.  

Aubrey Graber, Dixie High School Left Middle
Involvement: Interact Club, Beta Club, Prom Committee, Yearbook Committee, Volleyball
Community Service: Angel Tree,  Operation Christmas Child, Food Drives,  Sunday School, Thanksgiving Shut In Food Delivery
Aubrey plans to attend Anderson University to pursue a degree in Kinesiology.  

Slade Brown, Calhoun Falls Charter School Top Left
Involvement: Future Farmers of America, Football, Baseball, Shotgun
Community Service: Community Trash Pick Ups, Angel Tree
Slade plans to attend Lander University to pursue a degree in Computer Information Systems.  

Briana Felter, Dixie High School Top Middle
Involvement: CNA Dual Enrollment, Basketball, Track, Cross County, FFA, HOSIA, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society
Community Service: Angel Tree, Dog Shelter, Bags of Blessings, Free Clinic
Briana plans to attend Bob Jones University to pursue a degree in Nursing.  

Claren Johnston, Dixie High School Top Right
Involvement: Rotary Youth Exchange, RYLA
Community Service: JRM Store Volunteer, Angel Tree, Friendship Worship Center
Claren plans to attend Erskine College to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education.  

During our April 4th meeting, club president Austin Walker (right) presented a community grant award to Andy Rousey (left), the executive director of Abbeville Youth Center, for $500.  The money will go towards the Center's annual outreach basketball tournament that is held to reach students not already involved in the center's programs.  Abbeville Youth Center is on a mission to assist young people in  developing strong CHARACTER, to help them reach their full potential as responsible CITIZENS and leaders, and to influence them to have a relationship with Jesus CHRIST. 

During our latest regular meeting, we had the privilege to welcome Andy Rousey, Executive Director for Abbeville Youth Center, into membership in our club. Andy is originally from Greenwood but has lived in Abbeville with his family for the last 10 years.  He is married to Alyssa, and together they have two wonderful kids, Adalyn and Watson.

Abbeville County First Steps Executive Director, Rebecca Lyman, was presented the first Community Grant Check of the year to help provide materials in conjunction with the organization's Group Connections programing.  Abbeville County First Steps helps to make families kindergarten ready.  Also pictured are Rotarian and First Steps Board President Lou Paradis (left) and Abbeville Rotary Club President Austin Walker (right). 

Rotarians gathered at the Abbeville County Chamber and the Bags of Blessings food pantry to pack more than 150 bags to be distributed to students in need at Westwood Elementary School over the coming weeks, including 78 'big' bags to fill the void during their extended break.   Food was paid for through a district grant as well as donations from club and community members. 

Tiffani Tyner Mitchum was born in Barnwell, SC, and moved to Abbeville, SC, at the age of 10. She graduated from the University of South Carolina summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Philosophy. She completed one semester of her undergraduate degree at a university in Barcelona, Spain. She then went to Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where she achieved a Juris Doctorate degree with distinction.

During her law school studies, she was invited to intern for a semester at the United Nations Environment Program in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa. Upon graduation from law school, she practiced law in Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, for 22 years. 

She has lived in and traveled to numerous other countries, including Italy, Colombia, Iceland, Ireland, and Scotland. Other interesting endeavors she has enjoyed include: being part of a sailboat racing team; being in an axe throwing league; walking El Camino de Santiago, an 850 kilometre pilgrimage across France and Spain; being on a roller derby team; running for political office; and competing in triathlons. In Ottawa, she also volunteered in different capacities on the Board of Directors for three nonprofit organizations.

In early 2022, she sold her house in Canada and moved back to her hometown of Abbeville, SC. In 2023, she was appointed as a Summary Court Judge by Governor McMaster and Senator Garrett. She now works as a Magistrate Judge for Abbeville County. She also reconnected with her good friend from high school, Tommy, and married him. She lives happily with him, two stepkids, and her beloved dog Ziggy.