Children’s group extends pat on back to Walhalla state lawmaker

Save the Children named South Carolina State Representative William R. “Bill” Whitmire a 2019 Champion for Children as part of its South Carolina State Summit on August 26, 2019. This honor recognizes lawmakers who have shown a commitment to improving the lives of children in the Palmetto State. Rep. Whitmire has served in the South Carolina House of Representatives since 2003 and serves as Chairman of the Public Education Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee. “We are incredibly proud to celebrate Chairman Whitmire as a Champion for Children,” said Mark Shriver, Senior Vice President of U.S. Programs & Advocacy at Save the Children, who was in South Carolina to present the award. “His experience as an educator certainly drives his commitment to making sure South Carolina children have what they need to succeed and thrive. Every child deserves a bright future.” Save the Children has worked in rural South Carolina since 2003, helping thousands of low-income children do better in school through our early childhood development and school-age education programs. Currently, Save the Children partners with nearly 17 schools in 5 counties to deliver programs to over 5,000 children and their families. During the 2017-18 school year, Save the Children delivered its best results for South Carolina children yet: 91 percent of 5-year-olds in our Early Steps to School Success home visiting program exceeded national vocabulary standards. Five in six children who started the year reading below grade level significantly improved, an equivalent gain to an additional 8.4 months of school per child. In addition, we train and employ more than 130 South Carolinians in the local, rural workforce.