Pelzer Volunteers Show What Make Small Towns Special

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”  - Margaret Mead,

One of the things that attracts many to small towns is that citizens answer the call to action when there is a challenge.

More than two dozen volunteers answered that call Saturday morning in the Town of Pelzer to help restore and expand beautification efforts following the destruction of vandals early in the week.

Armed with rakes, shovels, weed eaters, and other gardening implements, volunteers young and old, spent a few hours as temperatures rose, trimming, digging, planting and replanting to spiff up the look of the town.

The Pelzer Wildflower Project, which features flowers at the town sign and down the S.C. 8 medians in the center of town, last week took a hit from an anonymous vandal who apparently hates the community and any attempt at beautification.

But wildflowers are hearty and will grow back, and in the same way those who want to make the town better will always far outnumber those who wish to destroy it.

Volunteers on Saturday embrace the town’s motto, “A Place to Call Home,” and cheerfully sweated in the early June humidity because they love their hometown and are grateful for the efforts of Mayor Will Ragland to make the town a place people want to call home.

Anderson County is fortunate to have such citizens and leadership.