Woodruff resident Charlize Simmons has requested and had approved a Proclamation for Awareness of the new 988 lifeline phone number by South Carolina Governor McMaster. The Proclamation is for the day the new number went into effect, Saturday, July 16, 2022. Miss Simmons, who lost her God-brother, Zachery Thomas, a Woodruff graduate, to suicide in 2010, is very passionate about mental health issues. Her social Initiative as Miss Woodruff 2020/2021 and Miss Richland County 2022 with the Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization has been focused on ADHD and other mental health issues. She and her Palmetto Princess, Maddisyn Rodgers, a rising Woodruff 6th grader, have received awards for community service awards for the numerous activities they have been involved in, including two President’s Volunteer Service Awards.
Just as the 911 number is well known for physical emergencies, Charlize would like to ensure that knowing this new mental health emergency line, 988 is available to call as well as text if you or someone you know needs assistance.
God-brother Zachery Thomas [Photo courtesy of Wendy Steck]
sixth grader, Maddisyn Rodgers with
Miss Woodruff 2020/2021 and
Miss Richland County 2022 [Photo courtesy of Wendy Steck]
Author: Tracy Sanders
