House: Hewitt

Attorney: Hilton

Drafting Assistant: Newboult

Date: May 04, 2026

DOC. ID.: /LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL/PH/DRAFTS/LC-0283PH-EB26/LC-0283PH-EB26.DOCX

 

 

 

A house RESOLUTION

 

To recognize and honor Gracie Hicks, of Murrells Inlet, for her outstanding service, leadership, and impact to communities throughout the palmetto state.

 

Whereas, Gracie Hicks, of Murrells Inlet, is a twenty-five-year-old second-year law student at Charleston School of Law, who has dedicated many years to tirelessly serving her community. Prior to attending law school, Gracie graduated magna cum laude from Wofford College in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science degree. While there, she received the Henry Freeman Service award for co-founding Wofford's Law, Justice and Innocence Initiative, which raises awareness of wrongful convictions. Recognizing that South Carolina is one of only thirteen states without an innocence initiative, she remains committed to advocating for equity within the judicial system; and

 

Whereas, at thirteen, Gracie suffered a serious injury that required an emergency stay in the children's hospital at the Medical University of South Carolina. Arriving with little more than hope for her recovery, her family was deeply impacted by a simple act of kindness when a family friend provided a care package of basic hygiene items. This experience inspired Gracie to address the often-overlooked issue of hygiene insecurity. Upon learning that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits do not cover essential hygiene products, she founded the nonprofit Helping Hands Heal Families (HHHF) to help bridge that gap; and

 

Whereas, for the past decade, Gracie has been a tireless advocate for those in need, mobilizing community members and securing support from national sponsors such as Walmart, Good360, and Bath & Body Works. Through her leadership, HHHF has served all forty-six counties in South Carolina. Among its most meaningful efforts is a four-year partnership with Camp Cole's Camp Impact, which supports children in foster care and those experiencing homelessness, often providing life-changing first experiences for the children it serves; and

 

Whereas, Gracie expanded her organization's reach through the "Feel Clean, Learn Better" campaign, which discreetly provides hygiene supplies to students in Title I schools. This initiative helps reduce absenteeism, improves self-esteem, and restores dignity, reflecting her belief that no child should be expected to succeed academically without access to basic hygiene. In addition, she provides support to senior wards of the State, domestic violence shelters, food banks, and other charitable organizations; and

 

Whereas, Gracie further demonstrated her commitment to service during Russia's invasion of Ukraine by partnering with Wofford College to send care packages through the Global Empowerment Mission. Through this effort, she witnessed individuals from differing backgrounds unite in support of displaced families, reinforcing her belief in the power of service to transform adversity into hope; and

 

Whereas, in addition to her philanthropic work, Gracie has pursued personal challenges with determination, including a friendly yet competitive seven-year stair climber rivalry with her father, achieving a personal record of 500 flights. This experience led her to compete in the Empire State Building Stair Run-Up in support of the Challenged Athletes Foundation; and

 

Whereas, Gracie also competes in the Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization, where she was named first runner-up for the Jada Samuel Quality of Life Scholarship in recognition of her community service. Having earned several local titles, including Miss Murrells Inlet, she will represent the Lowcountry this June, using her platform to raise awareness of hygiene insecurity and wrongful convictions; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for Gracie Hicks's outstanding service through Helping Hands Heal Families and her many other community initiatives, and they look forward to following her continued impact in the years ahead. 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 Gracie Hicks, of Murrells Inlet, for her outstanding service, leadership, and impact to communities throughout the Palmetto State.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Gracie Hicks.

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