Father’s Day is coming up in less than a week. You still have time to make your mark in honor of your dad.
A few years ago, Lionel Smith Ltd. started a promotion that honors dads and gives back to the community. The initiative is a perfect fit for a clothier and tailors in business since 1976. Tailor’s chalk is used to make temporary markings on a suit as it’s being fitted. This time, a different type of chalk is being used to mark a memory of your dad.
When you visit the store at 132 Laurens Street, you can grab a piece of chalk and leave an impression for your dad on the Lionel Smith front sidewalk. The effort and the fun of it support a local charity.
“For every handprint drawn or Dad’s name written in chalk, we’ll donate $5 to Children’s Place, whose mission is to protect, heal and strengthen children and families from the impact of trauma in their lives through education, treatment, and prevention services,” said company owner, Van Smith.
Smith’s dad, Lionel, who founded the company, believes in philanthropy and supporting the community.
“He put me in this business, served as my mentor, and is just a very good man. Our support of Children’s Place is a way to help children who may not always have a father figure who supports them.”
As for Children’s Place, Executive Director, Peggy Ford couldn’t be more grateful.
“This partnership brings financial support, but perhaps, even more importantly, helps our community focus on the importance of fathers and the families who are supporting children. It gets the message out,” explained Ford.
Van Smith hopes to fill up the sidewalk with names and handprints between now and the end of their promotion on June 18.
“Only a couple of days into Chalk It Up, we’re seeing just as many adults as children drawing on the sidewalk and leaving memories of their dad.”
For more information on Children’s Place, visit ChildrensPlaceInc.org. Also, you can follow Lionel Smith Ltd’s Facebook page to follow the progress of their Chalk it Up initiative.
Editor’s Note:
Mitzi Oxford is a veteran broadcaster and features writer who also worked at the same television station in Columbus, Georgia as Augusta’s Brad Means!
If you have a South Carolina story idea for Mitzi, please email her at mitzioxfordcreative@gmail.com.
