On Dec. 5, members of the hardworking community action group, Manning Heart & Soul gathered to celebrate their progress and launch the final, ongoing phase of their mission.
Manning Heart & Soul is a community driven effort focusing on what matters to the citizens of the Manning area. By sharing stories and ideas, they intend to build a common vision for the future. They believe the actions taken today will shape what happens tomorrow.
Heart & Soul has been working since the end of 2019 by engaging with residents at local events to collect data regarding the needs of our community. Those three years of engagement and data collection have culminated in an official Community Action Plan. This plan is a “working and living document,” Mayor Julia Nelson reflected at the celebratory meeting, emphasizing the group’s continued and active commitment to work for the citizens of Manning and Clarendon County.
The Community Action Plan is broken down into six sections: Sense of Community, Natural Environment, Community Leadership, Our Downtown, Pride in Our Youth, and Smart Growth. In the following, each section is explained with coordinating topic points.
Sense of Community: Manning cherishes its friendly and hospitable people, whose sense of community mindedness creates the charming small-town atmosphere that makes Manning a desirable place to live.
This objective would be achieved by more community events, such as concerts, festivals, sip and shops, holiday activities, and by promoting the Community Calendar. Also, with adult rec opportunities, such kick ball, softball, disc golf, and continuing to highlight pickleball activities. By growing the housing market for all income levels, to encourage a variety of family units for a more diverse community. Lastly, with volunteer outreach by identifying volunteer outreach opportunities to involve all citizens such as nursing homes, foster families, children’s home, guardian ad litem, etc.
Natural Environment: Outdoor recreational opportunities showcasing Manning’s natural environment, allowing residents and visitors a connection to the outdoors that boosts their mental and physical well-being.
This objective would be achieved by Adult Rec Opportunities Kick ball, softball, disc golf, highlight pickleball activities, etc. Downtown Walking a lap around Downtown Manning Agritourism Partnering with statewide Agriculture + Art Tour Nature-Based Organizations Partner with Wildlife Refuge and other nature based Clubs and organizations focused on nature.
Manning values strong leadership in education, healthcare, public service, and spirituality all of which creates a sense of security and a peaceful, relaxed pace of life.
In addition to celebrating this well thought out and researched Community Action Plan, Manning Heart & Soul unveiled a proclamation given by Gov. McMaster. This proclamation ensured that each Dec. 5, in the state of South Carolina, be declared Community Heart and Soul Day. The document encourages all South Carolinians to learn more about the Community Heart and Soul method to improve the quality of life in their community by involving everyone, focusing on what matters most, and playing the long game for sustained viability for their area of the Palmetto State.
