Manning, South Carolina
Manning Heart & Soul is a community driven effort focusing on what matters to the citizens of the Manning area in South Carolina. By sharing stories and ideas they will build a common vision for their future. The Manning Heart & Soul leadership team and volunteers continue to work tirelessly to listen to what matters most to residents. While working with residents through the Community Heart & Soul process, the Manning Heart & Soul team identified that a strong “sense of community” was something that mattered most to everyone. Residents wanted to have more community events and opportunities for residents to foster a sense of community-mindedness and be involved. Manning Heart & Soul volunteers have participated in over 20 community events, ranging from high school sporting events, outdoor concerts and festivals, as well as holding their own events.
Local conditions:
The City of Manning initiated Community Heart & Soul to help residents understand how decisions are made and how they can have greater input. Manning leadership wanted the community to be more engaged in activities and the cities’ future development. They hoped that Community Heart & Soul would strengthen the community and bring back a sense of pride. The Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce supported staffing and funding.
Heart & Soul Outcomes:
- A Community Calendar Coordination Committee has been created initially composed of staff from the City, Chamber of Commerce and local newspaper. The mission of the Committee is to promote the current and future community events that develop as part of the Community Heart & Soul Action Plan.
- Commendation from South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster with a resolution designating December 5, 2023 as Community Heart & Soul Day in the state of South Carolina.
- An Art Walk planning committee was established to promote more community public art projects.
- In celebration of community spirit and patriotic pride, the City of Manning, Manning Heart & Soul, and the Manning Lions Club partnered to adorn downtown Manning with flags commemorating national holidays while enhancing the visual appeal of downtown Manning.
- The Heart & Soul Team initiated Project Are You Ok? to conduct wellness checks for recipients of Meals on Wheels during the COVID-19 pandemic. This project was recognized by the Administrator and Secretary for The Administration for Community Living, the federal entity that administers the Older Americans Act.
- The Manning Heart & Soul Team is collaborating with Main Street Manning to create a nonprofit organization to financially support the implementation of the Heart & Soul action plan.
