Ellen Hines Smith Girls’ Home

Donors and Volunteers Appreciation Dinner

Ellen Hines Smith Girls’ Home (EHSGH) hosted its first annual Volunteer and Donor Appreciation event on April 19^th at Fernwood Baptist Church.  The event’s theme, “You Plant the Seeds for Success” was a celebration honoring volunteers and donors who have given so much of their time and resources in the betterment of the Ellen Hines Smith Girls’ Home and its residents.    

Several community volunteers and donors were honored for their exceptional support of EHSGH, along with two EHSGH residents who will be graduating high school this year. 

“Jayne” and “Sarah”, two residents at EHSGH, were honored with “Outstanding Senior Awards.”  Both girls will be graduating high school in June and have been accepted to college. “Jayne” will be attending Lander University and plans to major in music and early childhood education.  “Sarah” has a choice between Virginia Tech and the University of Tampa and plans to make her decision soon.  These outstanding seniors are proof that the services and programs offered at EHSGH work and truly make a difference in the lives of its residents.

Inez Anders, Volunteer Coordinator, Matt Gilley, Board President and Claire Huminski.

Claire Huminski, a senior at Oakbrook Preparatory School was also honored for her volunteer efforts and received an award for Exceptional Student Activity.  Claire has devoted a great deal of time as well as her personal resources to helping impact the lives of the girls at the Girls’ Home. 

Becky Hudson and CK Owens with Matt Gilley, Board President and Inez Anders, Volunteer Coordinator.

The Partnership Award was presented to the Spartanburg Newcomers Club and was received by Becky Hudson and CK Owens.  The award recognizes their exceptional contribution of time and resources in ensuring that the needs of the girls are met.  The Newcomers Club provides new residents with a welcome basket and monogrammed bath robes. Each fall they supply all residents with backpacks and school supplies.   

Inez Anders, Volunteer Coordinator, Matt Gilley, Board President and Susan Plemmons.

The Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Susan Plemmons for her generous and compassionate support of EHSGH.  Plemmons, a member of Fernwood Baptist Church is liaison for much support offered through this congregation.  Additionally, Plemmons arrives on each and every holiday…….St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, etc. with a cake or other small gift to ensure that each girl always knows that someone is thinking of her.  Plemmons also serves as a moblizer, matching other volunteers and their interests with EHSGH needs.    

Tayla Shafer, Matt Gilley, Board President and Inez Anders, Volunteer Coordinator.

The Student Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Tayla Shafer, a Converse College Senior and Bonner Leader.  Shafer has been a valued member of the EHSGH family as a volunteer for over 2 years.  During that time, Shafer has worked on numerous projects including: serving as role model/mentor to several girls, helping girls research and complete college applications, organizing storage supply areas, overseeing a project in which our residents createdChristmas cards for donors and most recently, spearheading the creation and development of our USDA approved recipe book. 

Matt Gilley, Board President, Carole and Nelson Marchioli, and Chamlee Loscuito, Executive Director.

The Philanthropist of the Year Award was given to Nelson and Carole Marchioli.  Over the last several years, the Marcholi’s have given generously toward many different financial obstacles that the EHSGH has faced.  This ranges from purchasing a mini-van to 15 new computers to renovating a kitchen in one cottage and installing a new hood system in another. Additionally, the Marchioli’s never forget the small things.  Each year at Christmas and Easter, they ensure the girls have Christmas gifts and Easter baskets. 

The last award presented, The Ellen Hines Smith Spirit Award exemplifies the spirit of our founder, Ellen Hines Smith.  Smith’s compassion, caring and dedication to the young girls of our community has significantly impacted the lives of countless girls, all for the better. 

Matt Gilley, Board President, Theresa Wilson and Chamlee Loscuito, Executive Director.

Theresa Wilson, owner of Good Impressions Hair Salon was awarded The Ellen Hines Smith Spirit Award.  Over the past two years, Wilson has devoted countless hours to the girls and shared daily with friends, colleagues and clients about the important work done at EHSGH.  Wilson has a heart that truly understands much of the pain that our girls have experienced as victims of abuse and neglect.  Wilson “gets” the importance that any teenage girl holds to “having good hair.”   At one point in her own life, she was embarrassed to go to school with her hair in a mess because she had no one around her at that time who knew how to fix her hair.  In a few short months, and with a lot of determination to learn, she became the hair expert among her close friends and found herself doing not only her own hair, but her sister’s and many close friends.  As an adult, she now owns her own salon.   At key points throughout the year, Wilson closes her salon for the day and invites in only the girls from EHSGH.  Wilson and her colleague ensure that each girls gets a trendy, personalized cut and styling, as well other hair treatments that they may desire.

Wilson has given of her time, her personal resources, has engaged others around her to become partners with EHSGH, and in the process has become an important role model for many of the girls in our care. 

Wilson has a true spirit of compassion for those in foster care and decided to regularly put this spirit to work.  Most recently, Wilson has begun mentoring a woman being served through EHSGH’s family services.  Wilson’s willingness to give selflessly and with a sincere understanding of what it will take for them to overcome, as well as her ability to mobilize others as EHSGH partners exemplifies the spirit of our founder.

“We are truly blessed to have so many people who care about our girls and organization.  It was an honor to recognize each one of them for all they have done, and continue to do for our girls,” said Matt Gilley, Board President.

The Ellen Hines Smith Girls’ Home is a private, non-profit organization that offers around the clock, residential care to girls between the ages of 11 and 19 years old.  Since 1974, EHSGH has offered a therapeutic, compassionate and caring environment for who are victims of various traumas, most often abuse and neglect.

CONGRATULATIONS and (THANK YOU) to the honorees of this years' event.

Award honorees form left to right: Tayla Shafer, Theresa Wilson, Susan Plemmons, Carole and Nelson Marchioli, Claire Huminski, CK Owens and Becky Hudson.