FLORENCE — Pepsi-Cola of Florence is giving back to the community following its November 2025 Pee Dee Food Service customer appreciation golf event, where participants helped raise over $2,500 for the Pee Dee Coalition through a 50/50 raffle, a Pepsi cooler raffle and Circle Hole fundraiser. “Pee Dee Foods has the best customers that loved supporting the Pee Dee Coalition,” said Jimmy Drost, Sales Manager for Pee Dee Food Service and Vice President of Pee Dee Coalition’s Florence County Chapter Board.
Proceeds from the event will help the Pee Dee Coalition purchase awareness materials for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, supporting efforts to educate the community, raise awareness about child abuse prevention, and connect families with support and resources.
Observed each April, Child Abuse Prevention Month is recognized nationwide as a time to raise awareness and encourage communities to support children and families. Blue pinwheels and pinwheel gardens are widely used during the month as a symbol of the happy, healthy childhood every child deserves, and as a reminder that everyone has a role to play in preventing abuse before it happens. This year, the organization’s theme, “Every story matters. Every voice counts,” underscores the importance of survivor stories and reminds the community that every voice deserves to be heard.
“Supporting children and families in our region is something that deeply matters to us,” said Ellen Hamilton, Executive Director of the Pee Dee Coalition. “We are grateful to everyone who participated in the golf event and helped to make this donation possible. Donations like this help to make the Pee Dee region a safer, more compassionate community.”
Founded in1986, the Pee Dee Coalition serves eight Pee Dee counties – Florence, Darlington, Marion, Marlboro, Dillon, Chesterfield, Williamsburg and Sumter – as the region’s primary provider of services for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse. Through its Prevent Child Abuse Pee Dee program and the Durant Children’s Center, which has locations in Florence, Hartsville, Kingstree and Sumter, the Coalition also provides prevention education, professional training and support services for children and families. The Pee Dee Coalition is a member of the United Way.