Ben Robinson/Courier

Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark speaks at a rally held last Tuesday at the Pickens County Courthouse.

By Ben Robinson

Courier Staff

County — Too often the problem of an abused partner in a domestic partnership is ignored by society. But volunteers for Mary’s House, the Pickens County shelter for victims of spousal abuse gathered last Tuesday night in front of the Pickens County Courthouse to help make sure these victims are heard in their suffering.

Volunteers and supporters for the shelter gathered for a prayer vigil for domestic violence.

Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark, who has been a longtime supporter of Mary’s

Sam’s Club Store 4901 of Easley recently donated a 38-foot-by-20-foot United States flag and a large South Carolina flag to Southern Wesleyan University at the Track and Soccer Complex, currently under development on the campus in Central. Above, Southern Wesleyan University administration, coaches and student athletes unfurl the flag. At right, pictured from left are Dr. Lisa McWherter, SWU vice president for development; Vicky Farmer, membership team lead, Sam’s Club; Dr. Todd Voss, SWU president; and Brian Raines, membership coordinator, Sam’s Club, and SWU graduate.

PICKENS — The annual Trick or Treat on Main, co-sponsored by Cannon Memorial Hospital and the City of Pickens, is set for this Saturday from 5-8 p.m. in Pickens.

Last year more than 3,000 children and parents attended the event, and organizers expect to match or exceed those numbers this year.

Trick or Treat on Main provides a safe, fun environment for children and parents to enjoy a night of trick or treating, and this year the event will also feature a family friendly movie, free popcorn, and a costume contest.

Organizations and businesses are invited to sponsor a booth, and there is no charge to be a sponsor. Organizers ask that booths be creatively decorated and those handing out candy dress up in a Halloween-themed costume (nothing scary). Organizers ask each booth to have at least 50 large bags of candy, and no soliciting or selling items in booths is allowed.

The Avon Foundation for Women recently awarded a $7,500 one-year grant to Mary’s House to provide direct services to domestic violence victims and/or other program mission. It is the first year that Mary’s House has received Avon Foundation funding to support its work on this important issue. The grant is part of an annual Avon Foundation for Women program that invites Avon regional offices across the United States and Puerto Rico to nominate local domestic violence non-profit organizations for funding as part of the Avon Foundation for Women Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program. Above, officials from both organizations are pictured at the check presentation.

EASLEY — Recently at the 2013/2014 Campaign Kickoff, David Foster was named United Way of Pickens County’s “Volunteer of the Year.”

Foster is a member of the Board of Directors and serves as Treasurer, a position he has held for the past two years. Foster also serves on the United Way of Pickens County “Community Basics Council,” a group of community volunteers who establishes strategies, identifies needs, and applies resources to address the most critical basic human needs in Pickens County.

“Volunteer of the Year” is United Way of Pickens County’s highest honor for individuals dedicated to making their community a better place for everyone.