Meredith Mellard loves to work with people, particularly those with a common goal of helping their communities.

She is in charge of community relations at WORG 100.3, where she also conducts a midday show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. She has worked tirelessly with the Orangeburg County Relay for Life, serving as co-chairperson, chairperson and a planning committee member since 2005.

Relay for Life is the signature fund-raising event of the American Cancer Society, with proceeds used to help fight cancer and provide vital programs and education to cancer patients and their families.

It is Mellard’s propensity for working together with people from all walks of life for the common good that has earned her designation as the exemplification of cooperation for the month of March as part of Orangeburg County’s Community of Character Initiative.

“I’m surprised and very honored. It means a lot that people would consider me for the Community of Character award. Working with the Relay for Life committee has been a huge joy over the last three years. Everyone is so passionate. We all have various reasons to do Relay, but we all have one focus, and that’s the fight against cancer,” Mellard said.

“That’s why we’re so successful. I have worked in the community for various causes, but I really do put a lot of my heart into Relay. I lost both of my grandparents to cancer, and they are my reasons to do Relay,” she said.

Delle Bolen, who began working with Relay for Life in Orangeburg in 1999, said cooperation involves not just working together for the common good, but respecting the values and ideas of others in the process. She said Mellard did just that while serving as chairperson of the 2006 Orangeburg County Relay for Life event.

“During this event, cooperation was critical. Meredith worked with a diverse group of people from the Orangeburg area, inviting us all to use our creativity and enthusiasm to ensure a successful fund-raising event. She was an effective leader and encouraged us all to work together,” Bolen said.

“In my other work, I love to be involved in groups that are hard working and willing to take on responsibility. I love to be around other people, and it’s always great to work with people that are passionate about their cause,” said Mellard, who said she worked with a “phenomenal committee” in 2006.

“This community is very passionate about Relay and the fight against cancer. That’s what so great about it,” she said.

The 2007 Orangeburg County Relay for Life event will be begin at 7 p.m. Friday, April 20, at the William J. Clark Middle School track.

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