McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal has received the Coalition of the Year award, after being nominated by a fellow coalition, their peers, and an overwhelming number of calls and emails from local community members.

The prestigious award was presented during a statewide Safe Kids conference held in Columbia.

The criteria for the Coalition of the Year Award focus on leadership, commitment and engagement. The coalition must demonstrate both exemplary leadership in supporting or championing the needs of children throughout the state and a history of commitment to preventing unintentional injuries in South Carolina. In addition, the coalition must be actively engaged in the community through programs, events and activities.

"Safe Kids Worldwide congratulates McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal on this well-deserved award," said Daniel Orzechowski, Senior Development Manager. "They are having an impact every day due to the strong leadership of their coordinator, Ashley Costas, the dedicated support of their lead agency, McLeod Health, and the tireless efforts of their members and volunteers."

Each Safe Kids coalition is led by a local organization that provides staff time and operational support to establish, house and lead the coalition and its efforts to prevent injuries to children. When establishing a coalition, Safe Kids looks for credible organizations that share its mission, are passionate about the cause and are willing to partner with other organizations to have a greater impact. While the Safe Kids model is built on the community coming together to address the issues affecting its children, the lead organization is critical and provides the foundation for the coalition.

McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal is made possible in part thanks to the generous support of the McLeod Health Foundation. With their support, McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal is able to provide education and materials to the community.

About McLeod Safe Kids
McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal covers the following 11 counties in South Carolina: Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, and Williamsburg.

McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal also includes the generous support of the following coalition members: McLeod Children’s Hospital, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Florence County Sheriff’s Office, City of Florence Fire Department, City of Florence Police Department, Florence County Recreation Department, Florence County EMS, Florence County Library, Florence Little Theatre, McLeod Hospital Staff, Mullins Fire & Rescue, Horry County Fire Departments, Hartsville Fire Department, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Lake City Fire Department, First Steps of Horry County, and many community volunteers.

McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal is always looking for opportunities to add more members to their organization. For more information please call (843) 777-5021 to speak to an Injury Prevention Specialist. You can also visit www.McLeodSafeKids.org or find the group on Facebook under McLeod Safe Kids.

Pictured: Members of the McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal Coalition, from left to right, David McGlothlin, EMT; Kim Landreth, Allison Pierce, and Larry Gore, Florence City Fire Department; Ashley Costas, McLeod Safe Kids Coordinator; Julia Derrick, Community Health Coordinator; Kristie Gibbs, Director of McLeod Public Information and Communications; Tracie Foster, McLeod Resource Center Manager; and Sonny Collins, SC Highway Patrol.