Salvation Army recognizes SC7 and Mullikin Law
February 1, 2023
Major Mark Craddock (left) presents the Salvation Army’s Community Outreach award to Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Tom Mullikin, PhD.
Community Outreach Award presented for 2022 Kettle Campaign service
By Alex Junes-Ward
THE SALVATION ARMY OF THE MIDLANDS presented Dr. Tom Mullikin, the South Carolina 7 (SC7) expedition, and the Mullikin Law Firm with the Salvation Army’s Community Outreach award during ceremonies at the historic Mullikin Law firm offices in Camden, Monday, Jan. 30.
Said to be “the highest award” for a specific region according to Major Mark Craddock, area (five-county region) commander of The Salvation Army, the award recognizes SC7’s and Mullikin Law’s service during the annual Christmas kettle campaign in December.
SC7 and Mullikin Law jointly rang the bells at a single location, Hobby Lobby, in Camden, raising far above the average collected in a kettle in one day. Moreover, the team created awareness and “generated excitement” with local VIP bellringers manning the kettle every hour from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Dec. 18.
“Ringing the bells was one of the most-rewarding things I’ve ever done,” said Dr. Tom Mullikin, founder and expedition leader of SC7 and founding principal partner at the Mullikin Law Firm. “It is truly one of the greatest Christmas traditions there is, and we will redouble our efforts in 2023.”
According to Craddock: “More than simply ringing a bell, it is proclaiming hope. Every dollar collected fuels critical services for individuals and families in need right here in the Midlands.”
The five counties served by the Salvation Army of the Midlands, include Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Newberry, and Fairfield Counties.
In addition to Mullikin and Craddock, those attending the January awards presentation included Mullikin’s wife Virginia Ann Mullikin, managing partner of the Mullikin Law Firm; Camden Mayor Alfred Mae Drakeford; Kershaw County Councilman Brant Tomlinson; Camden City Councilmember Joanna Craig; Maria Ouzounidis of the Mullikin Law Firm; W. Thomas Smith Jr., recipient of the Salvation Army’s 2022 Bellringer Commendation award; and Salvation Army representatives Lisa Huffman and Shannon Chapman.
Since 1906, community partners in the Midlands like SC7 and Mullikin Law have helped ring the bell to raise awareness and funds for The Salvation Army. One of many programs supported by Midlands-area kettle funds is the Christmas Angel Tree program, providing children with new toys and clothing. Kettle funds also support the Salvation Army’s social services department which provides for housing stability (preventing homelessness), meals served and food service for homeless shelters, as well as youth development, including summer camps and reading programs.
