In Our Community...

**David Beasley, Ex. Director World Food Programme to Speak Friday, May 7th**

David Beasley, former South Carolina Governor and current Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) will speak at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church (Lydia) on Friday, May 7th, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
Governor Beasley accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the WFP in December 2020. Beasley, a Darlington County native, has headed the WFP since 2017. The Nobel Prize Committee awarded the Peace Prize to the WFP because of its “efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict.” Prior to leading the WFP Beasley represented Darlington County in the South Carolina General Assembly, served as governor of South Carolina from 1995 – 1999 and was awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2003.
At the conclusion of Governor Beasley’s presentation a chicken bog prepared by Oliver Segars will be served. All donations received will go to benefit the WFP.

**Join Us May 18th, 2021 For A Virtual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta!**

Your support of the Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity Cinco de Mayo festival has helped to improve our community. Your previous support has helped to advance the mission of eradicating local substandard housing and homelessness, while providing safe and affordable housing. Your contributions continue to make a multi-generational impact in the lives of very deserving families!

We need you this year more than ever.

The last year has proven to be difficult for community events as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. Safety standards are of the utmost importance. With this in mind, the Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity team has designed a creative way to celebrate together while raising funds to continue to improve our community.

This year’s Cinco De Mayo Event will be virtual! Here is how it works!

The tradition of our Downtown Florence celebration (established in 2014) will continue this year with a new look. We have added fun and unique sponsorship opportunities. Our Cinco De Mayo Virtual event is scheduled for May 18, 2021. In advance of the evening, exclusive Let’s Fiesta Bags will be delivered to all our sponsors.

This year we are offering our dedicated supporters an opportunity to celebrate from the comfort of home. We encourage you to sit back, relax and enjoy the fun while indulging in the delights found within your Let’s Fiesta Bag. Each sponsor will receive a QR code in their Let’s Fiesta Bag. This QR code will provide access to this year’s entertainment and inspirational videos. All of this will be available for you to watch at your convenience.

**Living, Breathing Proof of The Power Of Art.**

The Lake City ArtFields Collective is a community arts non profit located in Lake City, South Carolina. We were founded in 2013 with a mission to celebrate Southern art and revitalize our small town through the arts. Our flagship event, ArtFields, turns the town into a gallery as local businesses display hundreds of artworks and artists compete for $100,000 in prizes. During the year, our three galleries feature rotating exhibitions to not only provide a place for artists to showcase their work, but also to create access to the arts for an underserved area. A robust public art collection and art education for South Carolina youth finish off our ever-growing art based programs.

**39th Annual World Famous Blue Crab Festival May 15 & 16, 2021**

Located at the Historic Little River Waterfront in Little River, SC, the World Famous Blue Crab Festival is one of the largest festivals in the Southeast.

Bring your family & friends to enjoy fresh, local seafood from a waterfront restaurant or get your favorite festival food fix. Enjoy scenic views, live beach music, and shop for a unique souvenir or gift from a crafter.

The World Famous Blue Crab Festival has consistently been awarded the Best Annual Event/Festival on the Grand Strand by readers of the Sun News newspaper for 8+ consecutive years. We encourage you to be a part of this tradition, and join us the weekend after Mother’s Day. Satellite parking and shuttle available.