By Independent-Mail
January 30, 2005

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford will speak at the Anderson Independent-Mail Pointing the Way Leadership Awards luncheon Feb. 17 at the Civic Center of Anderson.

The governor will discuss leadership and community volunteerism at the sixth annual awards luncheon.

More than 300 community leaders are expected to attend the luncheon, where several citizens are honored each year for their work helping move the community forward through their vision and leadership, said Fred L. Foster, president and publisher of the Independent-Mail.

"We started this awards program to help spread the message about the importance of giving back to the community through personal service, talents, resources and in other ways," Mr. Foster said.

Launched in 1999, the Pointing the Way Leadership Awards stem from a news series in 1998 about leadership in Anderson and how it had affected the community over the years. Leaders of the newspaper concluded at the time that not enough was being done to recognize people who help lead the community.

Admission to the noon luncheon is by invitation only. A limited number of seats remain available. If you would like to attend, call Kathy Gibson, luncheon coordinator, to confirm a reservation at (864) 260-1233.

Award winners receive an engraved marble lighthouse statuette. Past winners of the Pointing the Way Leadership Awards are:
• 1999—The AnMed Health System, Joey Preston, Beatrice Thompson, Lucille Mayo
• 2000—Lila Albergotti, Kathryn and Leo Smith, Carl Stone, Roy Jeffcoat
• 2001—Cordes Seabrook, Nancy Boyle, Dr. Mack Burriss, Billy Wilkes
• 2002—Don Garrison, John Garman, Marion Tarrant, Julie and Harry Morse
• 2003—James Robert "Radio" Kennedy, Walter and Mary Kennedy, Harold Jones, Russell Harris, Jim Barker and Becky Campbell.

Copyright 2005, Anderson Independent Mail. All Rights Reserved.