The Generous Spirit: Local businesses provide a Georgetown resident with a very special gift

Every day, individuals make choices and take actions that can deeply affect the lives of those around them. Here, we spotlight our Good News Heroes—those whose generosity inspires others within our community to step up and support those in need.

A Holiday Surprise: Partnership for a Life-Changing Gift

Just before Christmas, two local businesses, Coastal Nissan and State Farm’s Mark Nash, joined forces with The Friendship Place to deliver a heartwarming surprise to a participant in the Georgetown WORKS Program. Joyce, the recipient, was gifted a brand-new Nissan Versa along with her first month’s auto insurance premium—ensuring she had reliable transportation for her daily responsibilities and work.

Donna Brown, Mark Nash, Marie Livingston, Joyce, Brooke English Guy and Burt Palmer take a moment to celebrate this unexpected Christmas cheer.

According to The Friendship Place, Joyce is a mother and new grandmother who has been involved in the organization’s mentorship program since 2020. Over the last year, she has been rebuilding her life after a divorce, job loss, and housing instability. As a caregiver, Joyce depends on her vehicle for both training and client visits, but her old car was unreliable and prone to problems.

Brooke English Guy, general manager of Coastal Nissan, explained that Joyce’s previous car had numerous problems: poor tires, no working heat, and the risk of becoming completely unusable. Recognizing her need, Coastal Nissan provided the new Versa.

Neighbor Joyce was ecstatic to receive this generous gift of a new car.

“It’s a good reliable car and just really cool to be able to give something brand-spanking new,” Guy said. “She’s not going to have to worry about maintenance or any upfront costs for a while because she has the new warranty. She’ll have complimentary oil changes to start out. She works every day to help her clients and improve her life, so it was great to be able to provide this vehicle to help her as she moves forward in life.”

Asked about her motivation, Guy noted she had long wished to donate a car to someone in need but was hindered by the complexity of choosing the right recipient and ensuring they could afford costs like property tax and insurance. This year, by collaborating with her mentor and two Friendship Place board members, Mark Nash and Burt Palmer, these challenges were resolved.

Guy also received support from her father, David English, president and CEO of the multi-generational dealership that has served Georgetown since 1980. Coastal Nissan has a strong tradition of philanthropy, supporting food drives and Palmetto Giving Day for Helping Hands of Georgetown, collecting Toys for Tots, donating to All 4 Paws and the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office, working with area churches, and most recently, taking over sponsorship for The Classic baseball tournament after International Paper closed in 2024.

Cheers to you, Joyce. May this gift of a new car support you on your journey for progress and stability!

Marie Livingston, executive director of Georgetown’s Friendship Place, expressed her enthusiasm for selecting Joyce as the recipient of the new car. Livingston highlighted how the organization has been supporting Joyce in her journey toward rebuilding her career and achieving financial security. She emphasized that receiving this vehicle eliminates a significant obstacle in Joyce’s life, paving the way for ongoing stability, greater independence, and new opportunities for both Joyce and her family.

“It’s more than a car. It’s a reminder that she’s not walking this journey alone,” Livingston added.

Joyce was both surprised and overjoyed when she received the generous gift, which far exceeded her expectations. She had originally come to collect Angel Tree gifts for her children and grandchildren but instead was presented with a remarkable blessing. The moment was deeply emotional—Livingston described how Joyce wept with joy, embraced her, and thanked God for such a wonderful act of kindness.

This Christmas gift story takes on even greater meaning because it embodies the spirit of generosity and compassion that defines the holiday season. The gratitude felt toward everyone who contributed to making this special moment possible is profound, highlighting the positive impact that acts of kindness can have on individuals and the community as a whole.