S.C. Sierra Club to host National Sierra Club President and recognize state lawmakers, others at 2016 Annual Awards Banquet
January 27, 2016
COLUMBIA, SC – On Saturday evening, January 30th, the South Carolina Sierra Club will host its 7th Annual Awards Banquet and Silent Auction in the rear gala room at Michael’s Cafe’ and Catering, located at 1620 Main St., Columbia, SC, from 6:30pm – 9:00pm. The keynote speaker will be national Sierra Club President, Aaron Mair, who will discuss the Sierra Club’s environmental justice, renewable energy, and citizens’ rights initiatives under his leadership. He represents the nation’s largest grassroots environmental organization, leading Sierra Club’s 2.4 million members and supporters nationwide.
.
Senator Brad Hutto (D-Orangeburg, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, and Hampton Counties) will receive the S.C. Sierra Club’s “Senator of the Year Award,” and Representative Joe Neal (D-Richland and Sumter Counties) will receive the Club’s “Representative of the Year Award.”
.
Recent, past award recipients have included Senators John Courson (R-Richland and Lexington Counties), John Matthews (D-Orangeburg, Berkeley, Calhoun, Colleton, Dorchester Counties) and Ronnie Cromer (R-Lexington, Newberry and Union Counties); and Representatives James Smith (D-Richland County), Murrell Smith (R-Sumter County) and Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg County).
Additional awards will include Palmetto Pathfinder Awards to Jane and Chris Ochsenbein; the Media Person of the Year to Bo Peterson with the Post and Courier; Silent Footprinter Awards to Marcurius Byrd, Frank Powell and Mary Haque; the Environmental Advocate Award to Gina McLellan; and the Carolina Sierran Award to Susan Corbett for her many years of service as the Chair of the state Chapter.
The banquet will be the closing event during Mair’s three-day visit to S.C., having also met with Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin and members of the South Carolina legislature to discuss Sierra Club initiatives.
Mair has South Carolina roots, with many family members in the Travelers Rest area of Greenville County. He visited S.C. last year to speak with state lawmakers and Greenville Mayor Knox White, wherein he received Greenville’s Key to the City.
For inquiries, contact Benton Wislinski, [email protected] or 202.870.3188.
