Congratulations to League member, Margaret Deans Fawcett Grantz, who was awarded the Association of Fundraising Professionals Central SC Chapter’s Outstanding Rising Star Award for her work with Camp Cole!

Margaret Deans has always had a passion for giving back to our community. Ever since she can remember, she found herself involved in projects that benefit others. In 2018, she founded Camp Cole with a family friend. They are in the process of building a camp and retreat center for children, teens, and adults with disabilities, illnesses, and other life challenges. Inspired by an 11-year-old boy who passed away from cancer, Camp Cole will fill the need in our state for a safe and accessible facility where groups can come together to connect, share, encourage, and shine. Margaret Deans said she wants “everyone to have the opportunity to come together with people who are going through similar situations and experience the joy of camp whether for a week-long, weekend, or day camp.” They are currently in the final fundraising stage of the $10 million project. In a short 18 months, Margaret Deans and her co-founder have raised over $6 million and hope to break ground in April 2020!

Upon winning the award, Margaret Deans was so humbled and shared that she “thinks it is important as human beings to serve something greater than yourself, whether it is as a career or through volunteering. The impact we can make when we come together to serve others is incredible, and it is something that I respect about the Junior League of Columbia.”