Once again, the working women from our area were treated to a wonderful luncheon on Administrative Professionals Day. This event is sponsored each year by the Pageland Chamber of Commerce and attended by area women in the work force.

The Pageland Community Center was the setting for our event. The spacious hall was festively decorated with balloons and candle fragrance filled the air. Mickey’s Restaurant provided our buffet lunch as we enjoyed fellowship with co-workers, friends and new acquaintances.

After our meal, Chamber President Greg Lawrence introduced our guest speaker. Cindy Beard is a Licensed Master Social Worker and is employed with Hospice of Chesterfield County. She gave an inspirational speech on H-O-P-E.

H – Happiness

O – Others

P – Perseverance

E – Encouragement

Cindy reminded us to be thankful for all the small things in life. Also, to fill each day with love, be positive and remember others – no matter what the circumstance.

Our 2009 Business Woman of the Year award was then presented to Sandra Belk. Sandra was surprised to say the least! She has been employed with the Town of Pageland for more than 24 years. She has served on the United Way Board, Secretary/Treasurer for Central High School Band Boosters, the 2008 Centennial Committee fund raising and food committee chairperson, the Chamber of Commerce, the Pageland Watermelon Festival, the Pageland Woman’s Club, and Central High School Improvement Council. She currently serves on the Pageland Jury Commission, the Pageland Recreation Department volunteer, the Census Bureau for Pageland and the Chesterfield County School District Advisory Council. She is also a Sunday School teacher and Youth Group Director for Bethlehem Baptist Church, where she also serves on the Pulpit Search Committee. She is dedicated to her work, community, church and family. Sandra is married to J.B. Belk and they have four girls: Alisha, Sandy, Erica and Carlee and one grandson, Trexler.

At the conclusion, the attendees each received an orchid, candle and goodie bag – items that were used for decorating the event. They also had a chance to win door prizes. Donations from area businesses helped to make these gifts possible.

We would like to thank those who donated items or time and muscle to make our event special. They are as follows:

Pageland Pharmacy

Sandhill Office Systems

Chesterfield County Rural Water

Hanson Aggregates East, Inc.

Founder’s Federal Credit Union

T & L’s Food Shop

Greenball Corporation

W. Lee Youngblood, Attorney

Pageland Furniture

Northeastern Technical College

First Palmetto Savings Bank

Sims-Thaxton Insurance

Sandhill Telephone Coop

United Way

Sandra Greene

Lynches River Electric Coop

Tire Country

Priority Health Care Equipment

Gwen’s and Merle Norman

Mickey’s Restaurant

Chesco Services

Hospice of Chesterfield County

Freeman’s Video & Tanning

Wal-Mart Distribution #6073