Ruth Alexander Nicholson Awards

The Ruth Alexander Nicholson Award is presented annually for significant contributions to the Greenville community either through volunteer work for the Community Foundation or through volunteer work that contributes to one of its projects, programs or areas of emphasis.  The award is named in honor of Ruth Nicholson who was known for her tireless volunteer work for the Community Foundation.

Knox and Priscilla Haynsworth

The Community Foundation of Greenville awarded Knox and Priscilla Haynsworth with its 2009 Ruth Alexander Nicholson Award, our highest honor for volunteer leadership.  The Haynsworths established Clement’s Kindness Fund for the Children to honor their son Clement whom they lost to an unexpected illness and to create a way to help others.  With the help of an advisory board of friends and professional colleagues, they have raised over $1,200,000 in the last eight years to help families with children who are patients of the BI-LO Charities Children’s Cancer Center.  The plight of these families has touched the hearts of many donors including the children of Oakview Elementary School who raised $17,000 in honor of a classmate battling cancer and Greenville High School students who selected Clement’s Kindness as the recipient of Spirit Week funds.

Randy E. Fisher

In addition, Community Foundation Board Chair Randy Fisher is the recipient of the 2010 Ruth Alexander Nicholson Award.  Randy has played a key role in supporting Greenville Women Giving, building consensus for our $1,000,000 commitment to the Kroc Center and the partnership between the Community Foundation and Hollingsworth Funds.  Randy joined the Board in January 2000 and quickly won the trust and respect of his fellow Board members.  In 2009, he led the Board through a strategic planning process that resulted in a remarkable increase in energy and productivity.  Randy’s professional colleagues hold him in highest regard and he has been an advocate within the professional advisor community for the Community Foundation and its benefits to donors.

We salute Knox and Pricilla Haynsworth and Randy Fisher for their vision and service to our community.