On Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24, thirty-seven members of Thornwell’s Board of Visitors came for a two-day stay on campus to learn all about the many programs offered to the children and youth of Thornwell, as well as the community.


After arriving on campus late Thursday morning, these enthusiastic, Thornwell advocates from all over Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, began their visit with a time of fellowship over lunch, then, an afternoon tour of the farm and the Learning Center, followed by a visit to a cottage.


On Thursday evening, the entire campus gathered at the dining hall for a barbeque dinner, where Board of Visitors Chairman, Rich Brashear, presented the annual award for Thornwell’s Distinguished Benefactor to Lake Murray Presbyterian Church, Chapin, SC. Mr. Brashear also presented Thornwell employee, Larry Smith, with the Distinguished Service Award.


Afterwards, the members of the Board of Visitors gathered together in the Nelson Building to hear from some of the children and youth about their experiences living at Thornwell. At the end of the evening, Rich summed up the day by saying, “I wish everyone could experience what each of us has had the opportunity to experience today. Thornwell is truly a remarkable place.”


On Friday morning, Thornwell staff gathered with the Board of Visitors on last time to provide them with the materials and information they needed, as they prepared to go back to their own communities to share the Thornwell story with their family, friends and church members.


We would like to thank each and every Board of Visitors member for taking the time to visit our campus, learn about our programs, and carry the wonderful story of the work of this ministry with them into their communities.