Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonia Hanson.
Hi Sonia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am from a tiny rural town in Florida. I watched my mom and dad *Marilyn and Bernard* give back to the community by serving and supporting youth and sowing time and energy into makings sure that youth could have more and learn about the gifts that God blessed them with. They served so many, and then there was my amazing grandmother *MaryRuth*.
Growing up, I saw how unselfish she was in caring for anyone who needed help. She fed the neighborhood kids as if they were one of us. Everyone came to her house, but the calls from someone needing food or support she answered brought me to understand that we have to give back. She used to say we may not have much honey, but you have to “hope” She meant help if you can. I have always remembered that as I graduated from high school, attended college for 3 years, and eventually made my way into my now awesome career job in banking. I have been a Vice President Branch Manager at SouthState Bank for 15 years. I also have the privilege of being a Community Advocate for the bank and serving as a Culture Ambassador. I got where I am today with a lot of amazing faith in God, my awesome husband of over 25 years, an amazing police officer of 20 years, our three children who make me want to succeed, and a lot of grit.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
For my career early on, I can remember wanting to succeed but hearing because I didn’t have a college degree, I wouldn’t be able to be a manager. I was hurt but driven! One of my leaders came to me one day and said you have something special, and I can see you going far if you work hard. My hurt turned into motivation, and the rest is history; my company supports many of the fantastic initiatives that are important to me. It always has helped me want to serve others further—the same for my non-profit. I started the process years ago, and nothing went right. I never gave up and continued serving the unhoused and giving back, but I knew my purpose was to do more. I couldn’t give up knowing what I had been through in my own life. I have been trying to “hope” or help and give what I can back because I was one of those people over 20 years ago who was in need. I know the feeling of not knowing where the next meal comes from and the struggle of not having enough “hope.” Feeding my kids, Bernard-oldest , Kirk (middle), and Sonya gravy and rice for days to ensure they had something in their tummies as I ate crackers is the reason and the drive behind my non-profit and life. So that is the purpose that God has given me in my life. Not just a passion, but my clear purpose is to help as many people as I can who need “HOPE.”
As you know, we’re big fans of Sunflowers of HOPE Inc. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with the brand?
Sunflowers of HOPE Inc is my purpose-led nonprofit with a motto of “bringing HOPE to those in need.” For years, I have been going out in the community and serving the unhoused, supporting the youth, and serving senior citizens. So many have helped to support my purpose and heart for others, and I knew that one day I had to make sure the nonprofit was birthed and official to do more amazing things for those in need. Serving as a commissioner for the Redevelopment Commission with the city of Charleston, Chair, Campaign Cabinet, Committees, and Board of Trident United Way, lead for the food disparities program for Adopt A Community Program, serving at my local church New Vision Cathedral and having the support of Pastor Edward Johnson, my First Lady Stacey Johnson, to give back are all wonderful. To launch this 501(c)(3) nonprofit officially founded in October of 2022 was an amazing day.
What do I want readers to know?
Sunflowers of HOPE is a grassroots organization. We are on the ground doing the work, face to-face with those in need making a difference, and supporting one person or family at a time. Our mission work is vital to those we bring hope to because we go to the individual where they are. We find a way to make way for help and send those we serve to other organizations for more support. Sunflowers of HOPE gets the call, and we go into action to serve. I am most proud that although we are a very small and a new nonprofit we have donated over 400 new coats and uniforms to local schools in need, we have fed over 100 unhoused individuals, North Charleston Police Department has adopted the HOPE Bags Program where officers hand out bags of toiletries and essential items when they see an unhoused person to bring them “HOPE”, we have been a part of 12 community events this year so far year giving back, taught early financial literary sessions for youth, donated 35 snack packs of food thru the Adopt A Community Program for local students to offset meals during spring break, donated books as part of a summer book drive for students and read to the students at the local schools, sponsored teacher appreciation at local elementary school, donated hygiene bags for local high school students in need, collecting 60 pairs of shoes to support local elementary school students, helped families from fire victims to immediate food needs on the stop, supported senior citizens in need with their bills, and we are a part of groups within the Community that help serve such as Adopt A Community. We need support and donations as the mission is bringing HOPE continues. We are proud to host our first HOPE GALA fundraising event on October 22, 2023, which is also the 1st year anniversary for the nonprofit.
Please talk to us about happiness and what makes you happy.
My family makes me happy! I have an amazing husband who is my best friend and an awesome police officer. I have my wonderful children that give me joy. My oldest serves in the US NAVY, my middle son graduated from CSU, and my daughter is in the last year of college—my mom, dad, sisters*Tanya and Bernadette and amazing friends Michelle, Jada, and Ayana. My faith makes me happy and drives me to do better every day. I don’t know where I would be without the HOPE that God has given me.
*This work came from my faith in God and is his plan.
Nature also brings me joy and happiness. Sunflowers are a huge part of my life. They make me smile; hence my office, home, and life reflect them. Some call me a sunflower. I, of course, named my nonprofit Sunflowers of HOPE as a tribute to my love for nature and my grandmother. *Music is a huge part of my life brings me happiness and joy!
The beach, mountains, looking at the pond in my back yard and seeing ducks, turtles, deer eating, rabbits. Nature brings me peace. Knowing I can make a difference, no matter how big or small, in someone’s life makes me happy and makes me want to do more. My reward and happiness come from the “thank you, ma’am, and God bless you for caring.” I have to keep going because the needs don’t stop.
*Finally a very special thank you to my board Kirk, Michelle, and Rosie. They have worked so hard to support the mission and I appreciate them.
Pricing:
- HOPE shirts are $20.00
- HOPE Bags the homeless average $75
- HOPE donations of any amount would be a blessing.
- HOPE sponsorship levels
- Platinum $10000
- Gold $5000
- Silver $3000
- Bronze $1000
- Friend $500
Contact Info:
- Website: SunflowersofHOPEInc.org
- Instagram: @sunflowersofhopeinc
- Facebook: facebook.com/sunflowersofhopeinc
Image Credits
Logo Credit to Catherine Smith Photo, photo with orange jacket credit to Greg Johnson HAAPhotography By gregj.com, Article Credits to Harve Jacobs North Charleston Police Department
