Bamberg, South Carolina (March 2018) – On February 22, 2018, Mallory Biering, Keep South Carolina Beautiful Director recognized Jerry Bell, Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce Director. Mr. Bell was awarded Outstanding Program Award at the Keep SC Beautiful annual conference in Myrtle Beach. The award recognizes an outstanding program in South Carolina that creates and protects a cleaner community or that enhances the beauty of a public space.

Nominated by Mary Tilton, Keep Bamberg County Beautiful Coordinator, Mr. Bell was nominated for his outstanding work to promote the Bamberg County portion of the Edisto River and his efforts to clean up the boat landings. The Edisto River is an important economic and recreation source for Bamberg County, attracting visitors from throughout the state and beyond. Notably, Mr. Bell created the Bamberg County Edisto River paddle trips. The trips run every month from March through November. The majority of the participants are not from Bamberg County, so this event attracts new people to Bamberg County. Each year, the number of participants continues to grow!

The paddle trips alone are worthy of recognition as it promotes a unique opportunity for individuals to view a beautiful part of Bamberg County. However, above and beyond the paddle trips and free shuttles, Mr. Bell and the Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce adopted the four Bamberg County public boat landings on the Edisto River. Before each paddle trip, he hosts a cleanup to ensure that the departure and arrival landings are litter free. He also mows the grass at the boat landings. In the award presentation, Mallory Biering said, “There is only one of these awards given across the entire state. When I worked for Keep Bamberg County Beautiful, Mr. Bell was a constant source of support and never hesitated to volunteer. I am so pleased to present this award to him in recognition of his important work in Bamberg County.”

“Bamberg County is fortunate to have Jerry Bell,” stated Joey Preston, Bamberg County Administrator. “His work organizing these paddle trips and encouraging visitors to Bamberg County is a huge benefit to our county. Beyond the trips, his work to keep the landings litter free is also noteworthy. He is very deserving of this recognition.”

Jerry Bell is a retired teacher who now serves as the Director of the Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce. He lives with his wife, Linda, in Govan, South Carolina. He is an avid kayaker and an active member of the Keep Bamberg County Beautiful Advisory Board. “If we are going to invite visitors to Bamberg County, it’s important to leave them with a good impression,” stated Mr. Bell. “I enjoy sharing the Edisto River with other paddlers and encouraging visitors to Bamberg County. There are very few places to paddle that are similar to the black waters of the Edisto River. Bamberg County is fortunate to have this resource and I hope by cleaning it and promoting it, we will, in turn, protect it.”

The schedule for the 2018 Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce’s paddle trips is available on the Bamberg County Chamber’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Bamberg-County-Chamber-of-Commerce). For additional information and/or to register for an Edisto River paddle trip call Mr. Bell at 803-245-4427 or email info@bambergcountychamber.org

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