December 11, 2024 | postandcourier.com online article

At the South Carolina Association of Counties’ Fall Advocacy Meeting Awards Luncheon in Columbia, Berkeley County was recognized for more than one quality-of-life project. First, the county received the Golden Palmetto Award for Outstanding County Service for People with Disabilities, the top annual honor from the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN).

“We have wonderful, dedicated partners in Berkeley County who really understand the importance of meeting the needs of our constituents,” said Ed Miller, DDSN chair. “We can’t thank them enough for their support and the programs that will benefit the amazing people we serve.”

The award specifically recognized Berkeley County’s work with local nonprofit Community Options Inc. earlier this year. The organization received $64,650 in funds from the county’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to provide upgraded wheelchair-accessible flooring and a generator for a housing facility for people with disabilities. Together with Community Options, the county celebrated a special ribbon-cutting ceremony for the project in June. The home in Goose Creek is the first handicap-accessible Community Options home in the Lowcountry.