By Dana Erickson
This month’s Hometown Heroes features Clara Fishburne and Sharon Jones. These two ladies spearhead the local Toys for Tots program in Colleton County fulfilling their desire to help those who are in need and make Christmas better for the children who may otherwise not have a Christmas at all.
Clara Fishburne is from Colleton County and a graduate of Walterboro High School. After high school, eventually getting married to her husband of 52 years and starting their family (3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren), after a moment of introspection, Clara decided that there was more to life than working job to job, and she felt like she could do more. She started thinking about going to college. She wanted to go to for education. However, she changed from education to social work because she truly felt called to help others. She attended Limestone College where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor in Social Work. Clara loved the family atmosphere on campus. Fishburne also attended Denmark Tech for two years. She graduated Cum Laude there as well with a Bachelor in Special Services and Directory. Then she went for her field practice in Social Work in Colleton County DSS and while she didn’t get a job with DSS she did end up at Lowcountry Community Action Agency. While at LCAA she worked with children and felt that this was where God wanted her. She derived so much pleasure and satisfaction helping these children she knew this was where she needed to be. When the children in your class call you “Momma” you just know. Mrs. Fishburne retired from LCAA in September of 2023. She is a fresh new player in the retirement game, but it did not set well with her to do nothing. Her desire to help soon won out over leisure. In the short time of her retirement Clara has made connections and has been leading the charge to provide Christmas to children in Colleton County.
Mrs. Clara has now recruited a partner in good works to pass along the Toys for Tots program when she decides to retire for good. I jokingly told her she was never going to “retire” and would always do something to help when and where she could. She smiled and commented that she would help as long as she was able. Now working with Clara Fishburne is Mrs. Sharon Jones. Mrs. Jones is not originally from Colleton County, but just up the road in Ridgeville. However, she’s lived in Colleton County long enough that she can be considered “from here”. Mrs. Jones is married to her husband Marvin and she has 5 children and 13 grandchildren. The connection between Mrs. Sharon and Mrs. Clara is from Jericho United Methodist Church where Sharon fulfills the role of Pastor’s wife. Aside from their mutual chosen place of worship they share the same desire to help those in need, especially the children. Sharon has served as a youth adviser in a previous church where those children called her Mama Sharon, and the desire to help children in followed her to Jericho United Methodist and to the other children in Colleton County.
Now the Toys for Tots program in Colleton County benefits from Clara’s and Sharon’s dedication to help children. It all stems from their gift of the spirit of service which manifests in the desire to help those in need. These two ladies are selfless with their time and love for the kids who receive gifts from Toys for Tots. However, they cannot do it without help from the community. Toys for Tots collection boxes can be found at various locations in town. Any toys donated will be distributed to children here in Colleton County.
Thank you, Clara Fishburne and Sharon Jones for all you do to make Christmas brighter for the children of the community by giving of yourselves so tirelessly and generously.
