Sumter Item's annual Fireside Fund honors Roger Ackerman
The season of giving has returned, and as temperatures continue to drop, charitable donations could be the difference between a silent night and a sleepless night for some families.
To help keep others warm this fall and winter, The Sumter Item and Sumter United Ministries ask annually that the community pass the holiday spirit on to thy neighbor through contributions to the Fireside Fund, a monetary charitable drive that is dedicated to a late member of the community who personified the spirit of the project. This year, Roger Ackerman, a man known and remembered for his charitable contributions to the community, was selected.
Established by The Item in November 1969, the community has donated more than $1.5 million to help families keep the heat on during the coldest days of the year. The fund collected almost $49,000 last year and has already kicked off with three donations totaling $1,350.
"He would be so pleased," said Deane, Ackerman's wife. "Sumter has been our home for 53 years, and it's a wonderful community."
Roger Ackerman is recognized for assisting in the establishment of Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust (CART) Fund for Rotary clubs in Sumter and throughout the Southeast, a weekly "pocket change" fundraiser that has allotted $7.2 million in 45 grants as of May to recognized U.S. research institutions.
Ackerman was also a member of numerous boards, including for Sumter Little Theatre, Sumter County Cultural Commission and Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce, among others.
A former officer in the U.S. Air Force, Ackerman later went on to serve in the Air Force Reserve and American Legion Post 15 and was also instrumental in preserving Temple Sinai, Sumter's only Jewish synagogue, and establishing the Jewish History Center, which opened in June as the only Holocaust museum between Atlanta and Richmond.
SUM provides services throughout the year but focuses on resolving heat-related issues between Nov. 1 and March 31.
Getting that additional money through Fireside really helps United Ministries be more effective in helping people, said Mark Champagne, executive director, and opens the door for the organization to do more for the community.
Donations are especially important with assisting the disabled and elderly keep warm this time of year, he said.
Even though it gets much colder up North, he said, it's still really cold down South, and that could cause or worsen health problems for more vulnerable people.
In addition to providing kerosene, Champagne said SUM has been able to assist with costs for minor repairs to central heating systems so residents do not have to rely on alternative heating solutions.
He said an older man once came to the ministry for kerosene and that a volunteer found out the man had a small problem with his central heating. So, the ministry paid for the repair so the man could have a better heating option.
But, for those who only have kerosene as an option, Champagne said SUM has been able to give more kerosene than before to carry people further through the winter.
Champagne thanked the community for the support from individuals and local businesses who also take part in making Sumter a great place for everyone to live.