Christian Buckson (from left), Kristen Ouzts and Amanda Ham, all third-graders at McCormick Elementary School, join with others in singing God Bless America before the beginning of the Promise Summit held in Columbia on Wednesday. RON COCKERILLE/STAFF

Group promises to aid pupils

Ex-general urges help

Web posted October 29, 1998

By Chasiti Kirkland
South Carolina Bureau

COLUMBIA -- Someday, Wednesday's events will be a significant moment in RegiAnnah Wideman's life. But at 7 and loaded down with lollipops, seeing the likes of Elizabeth Dole didn't fit the bill for fun.

Mrs. Dole is president of the American Red Cross and is the first woman to serve as U.S. secretary of transportation. Wife of former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, she worked as an unpaid volunteer her first year as Red Cross president.

But not once did the McCormick Elementary schoolgirl realize that history was surrounding her, and it might change the way children grow up in South Carolina. RegiAnnah couldn't fathom that one day she would tell her children that on Oct. 28, 1998, she had witnessed more than 1,000 grandparents, teachers and white-collar workers descend from their corporate high-rises to retrieve South Carolina's lost children.

Nor could she realize that the Palmetto State pledged during the state's first Promise Summit that, by the end of 2001, an additional 20,000 youngsters will be served by volunteers.

And she was there.

``Many people say that's a lofty goal, but I say not for South Carolina,'' said state Superintendent of Education Barbara Nielsen. ``We have thousands of adults who are caring and ready to give of their time.''

Elizabeth Dole, president of the American Red Cross, addresses the crowd at the Promise Summit. RON COCKERILLE/STAFF

In McCormick County, that pledge has never been more important. McCormick leads the state in juvenile crime, is the second-poorest county next to Allendale, and has the second-highest illiteracy rate. Thirty-three percent of the families there are single-parent households.

The South Carolina Promise Summit is a follow-up to the President's Summit for America's Future held last year in Philadelphia, where Dr. Nielsen and a team of South Carolinians joined volunteers from throughout the nation. At that meeting, retired Gen. Colin Powell formed America's Promise -- The Alliance for Youth, a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing the nation to ensure that children have what they need to become successful. Every living U.S. president and first lady has endorsed the campaign.

As South Carolinians made their vow in good faith and against all odds, Mrs. Dole, Mr. Powell and Gov. David Beasley were there to rally them on.

``No government program has ever been as effective as neighbor helping neighbor,'' Mr. Beasley said. ``The call to serve is the greatest call of all.''

Mr. Powell, who advised Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton, reiterated those remarks, and it was only then that RegiAnnah perked up. Suddenly, she realized she was finally in the company of her daddy's hero.

``For too many years we have been building jails to hold young people who have failed,'' Mr. Powell said. ``They have failed because, to a great extent, we have failed them. We have failed them by not giving them the vision, the resources and the purpose they need to grow up law-abiding, successful and contributing members of society. We have failed them by leaving them vulnerable to drug abuse, gangs, violence and premarital sex.

``If we all pitch in, we can make the American Dream live again for the next generation and the next century. We can keep America's promise.''

But Mack Ryans worries that some may break that pledge.

``It's time for people to put up or shut up,'' said Mr. Ryans, who's been Edgefield's police chief for 17 years. ``We owe nothing less to our young people, and we must lead by example.''

Chasiti Kirkland can be reached at (803) 279-6895 or scbureau@augusta chronicle.com.