An initiative designed to foster integrity and forge stronger bonds of communication and cooperation in Orangeburg County has chosen to create an award in honor of one of its most faithful volunteers.

The Orangeburg County Community of Character board of directors has voted to create the Austin Cunningham Orangeburg County Community of Character award. It will be given to people who exemplify the character traits that make their communities better places to live, work and play.

Cunningham, 94, has had decades of experience in helping shape and improve the lives of others. The Orangeburg resident has been named the local Citizen of the Year and the state's Outstanding Elder Citizen of the Year.

He has also had a dutiful hand in the development of the Orangeburg County Community of Character initiative, which was launched in 2000.

Don Tribble, executive director of the initiative, said Cunningham is well deserving of having an award named in his honor.

"Austin Cunningham has been a volunteer writer and big proponent of the Orangeburg County character program since its inception and has been very active in all phases of this program," Tribble said. "The board of directors wanted to do something for Austin for all the time and effort that he has put into making the Orangeburg County Community of Character program one of the outstanding character programs in South Carolina."

"The award will be presented at the end of the Community of Character's fiscal year in either May or June. The person picked for the award will exemplify the trait in the character mission. Citizens may recommend persons for the award. The final selection will be made by a committee," Tribble said.

Cathy Hughes, publisher of The Times and Democrat, said she applauds the board's decision to create an award in Cunningham's honor. Hughes is past president of the Orangeburg County Community of Character board of directors.

"This award will serve two purposes: to honor him and his many contributions to the community, as well as to honor an individual in Orangeburg County who has worked for the good of the character program and the community," Hughes said.

"Any future recipient of this award will be honored to receive an award named for such a good man," she said.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-534. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.