Press Release
More than 200 attended the inaugural Rotary All Hands on Deck Gala to salute veterans, military families and Purple Heart recipients on the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier on Thursday evening. The event will allow the club to double its giving impact in the community this year. The Fisher House of Charleston was the featured charity at the event. In addition, the Medal of Honor Museum, Back Pack Buddies, East Cooper Community Outreach, Happy Feet, the Dictionary Project, and the club's college scholarship program will receive a portion of the event's proceeds.
Club president Pat O’Brien said, “The gala was a tremendous success because of our community partners and our sponsors. Without the support of Baker Cadillac, Carolina One Real Estate, TriMed Services, Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation, Motley Rice and so many of our local businesses and families, this event would not have been possible.”
A highlight of the event was the auction of a shotgun engraved with Major General James Livingston’s signature. The winning bidder, Captain Philip Palmer, plans to gift the shotgun to his grandfather, who served with General Livingston in Vietnam. Captain Palmer had his own personal connection with General Livingston when he served as his aide for the day after receiving his own Purple Heart. Captain Palmer said, “It is an honor to gift him this family legacy piece.”
Event organizer Rotarian Andrea Ulmer said, “It was heartwarming and moving to be able to honor our Purple Heart Veterans and simultaneously raise money for our local charities. We have such a generous community, and I can’t imagine a better place than The Yorktown for this Inaugural gala.”
About Rotary Club of Mount Pleasant
Rotary Club of Mount Pleasant brings together local volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the most pressing humanitarian issues at home and abroad. Their work improves lives at the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit mprotary.org.
