A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR JOANN DELONG, executive director of United Way of Greater Hartsville, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER thirteen YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned that Joann DeLong will begin a well-deserved retirement at the end of July 2026 after thirteen years as the highly regarded executive director of United Way of Greater Hartsville; and

 

Whereas, a native of Reading, Pennsylvania, Mrs. DeLong began her professional journey in accounting. Those early years laid a strong foundation for the work that would follow by combining financial expertise with a natural ability to guide and support people. For seventeen years she worked with chiropractors to open and grow their practices into thriving businesses, focusing not just on numbers but on creating something meaningful and sustainable for the people she served; and

 

Whereas, with a long-standing commitment to caring for others, before leaving Pennsylvania, Mrs. DeLong served for two years with Supportive Concepts, a nonprofit providing specialized support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs; and

 

Whereas, in 2011, she and her husband relocated to Hartsville, a town she had discovered online. She quickly became part of the community through her work at the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, where she gained a deep appreciation for the people of the area; and

 

Whereas, two years later, Mrs. DeLong became the executive director for the United Way of Greater Hartsville. For thirteen years, she led the organization, helping to support the community. Under her leadership, Hartsville has become the leading United Way in the nation for providing community programs; and

 

Whereas, with programs such as Dear Santa, Operation Sweet Dreams, senior home repairs, and disaster assistance for fire victims, she addressed specific needs in the community and provided a solution. She has helped thousands of families during her years with United Way of Greater Hartsville; and

 

Whereas, devoted to her community, Mrs. DeLong served as chair of Hartsville Christmas in April and guided it for seven years until its closing in 2020. During that time, the program received the Secretary of State Angel Award, and she was honored with the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award; and

 

Whereas, an active member of the Hartsville Rotary Club for thirteen years, she has been named Rotarian of the Year twice, has received the Hartsville Citizen of the Year Award, and was awarded the nonprofit professional of the year by the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce; and

 

Whereas, deeply devoted to her family, Mrs. DeLong and her beloved husband, Greg, have been married for forty-seven years, and together they reared two fine daughters, Stephanie and Michelle, who have blessed her with the affection of three loving grandchildren; and

 

Whereas, she plans to spend many happy hours in retirement doing things she most enjoys: sewing, crocheting, reading, and traveling. She has a special love for trains and looks forward to a cross-country rail journey with Greg, along with a long-awaited trip to Ireland, one of his lifelong dreams; and

 

Whereas, grateful for her many years of distinguished service to United Way, the South Carolina House of Representatives takes great pleasure in extending best wishes to Joann DeLong as she transitions to a richly deserved retirement and the unhurried pace of the days ahead, and the members wish her many years of enjoyment in her well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Joann DeLong, executive director of United Way of Greater Hartsville, upon the occasion of her retirement after thirteen years of outstanding service, and wish her continued success and happiness in all her future endeavors.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Joann DeLong.

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