Today we’d like to introduce you to Sylvia Corley-Drennan.
Hi Sylvia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When I reflect on my life, I can’t help but marvel at how different it turned out from what I imagined as a young girl. Never would I have guessed that I would dedicate so much of my time to volunteering and organizing events for my community and surrounding communities, especially without any expectation of financial gain. Growing up in a single-parent household and now living on a fixed income, I realize how truly blessed I am.
As a child, my dream was to become a nurse, just like my mother. But I never envisioned myself as a volunteer, let alone organizing programs and events for others. However, as I sit here today, writing this story, I know that God had a different plan for me, one that was far beyond my own.
Throughout my life, whenever I was asked to do something, I often thought, “This will be good money.” But my mother’s words would always ring in my ears: “Sylvia, God has blessed you with many talents and gifts, and you can’t charge people for doing His work.” Little did I know, God was shaping me for a future I never could have imagined.
My first job was at the age of twelve, working in a beauty shop on Saturdays for just a dollar. I would give that dollar to my mother to help with household needs. By sixteen, I had earned my nursing assistant certification and was working full-time after school, while also studying cosmetology during my junior and senior years of high school.
In 1970, I married Jim Drennan and moved to West Columbia, where we had two beautiful daughters, just eleven months apart. I began working at Lexington Medical Center when it first opened, but after a short time, I realized it was best for me to stay home and care for my children. During their growing years, our home became a gathering place for all the neighborhood kids, and I entertained them by teaching crafts like doll-making, crocheting, and hook rugging. Before long, Lexington School District Two approached me to teach craft classes, and I began creating nature crafts for Clemson Extension and local churches.
Though I never envisioned a career in event planning, my path continued to evolve. I started designing floral arrangements for weddings, funerals, and proms, and then I was offered a job working for Dr. Perry and Dr. Gary Kocher in South Congaree. In 1996 I graduated from Midlands Technical College with a degree in Human Services. In the midst of this, a dear friend and I opened Beautiful Beginnings Bridal & Consulting, but I had to close it to care for my mother when she moved in with us.
During this time, I also worked at Lexington School District Two’s Airport High School in the guidance department, where I stayed until I retired. While there, I decorated the school for special events and took on various roles in student clubs. And proudly earned the title of JROTC Mom. All of these experiences were preparing me for the bigger picture God had planned for me.
After retirement, my cousin and I started a puppet ministry, Carolina Country Cousins. We performed for nursing homes, senior citizen facilities, churches, and hospitals, using puppetry to bring joy to those who needed it most.
Then, in 2018, God’s plan for me truly began to take shape. At the request of South Congaree’s former mayor, Danny Jones, and the town clerk, Patt Shull, I became the town’s event coordinator. My responsibilities included organizing the annual Christmas Parade, the Beauty Photo Pageant, Christmas tree decorating, movie nights, shag nights, and more—events designed to bring our community together.
In 2020, I founded Congaree Cares, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Despite running a nonprofit, we never charge for any of our events. With the help of nine dedicated volunteers who share my love and passion for serving others, we’ve been able to bring our community together in remarkable ways. One of our largest events, the Halloween Spooktacular, attracts 2,500–3,000 guests each year. Other events like the Veteran’s Gospel Sing and Memorial Program honor our military service members, with guest speakers such as the CEO of the Wounded Warrior Program. We’ve had up to 30 exhibitors sharing their history, including the Tuskegee Airmen, Buffalo Soldiers, Gold and Blue Star Parents, and Purple Heart recipients.
Our community also looks forward to the Christmas Business Decorating Contest, where local businesses compete for trophies, certificates, and a traveling plaque. Recognizing outstanding citizens with special plaques has become a beloved tradition.
One of my most cherished projects is the Congaree Cares Sewing Bee, where we create quilt toppers for the Quilts of Valor Guill in St. Matthews. Volunteering with Soldier’s Readiness during deployments deeply moved me, especially seeing the young soldiers leave to serve our country. In response, my daughter and I began making neck pillows and handing out pocket-sized games and cards for the soldiers.
To further honor our military, my husband and I established a Military Memorial in our town, featuring wooden soldiers and flags representing each branch of the military, as well as POW, Purple Heart, and other important flags. My committee assist us with displaying this Memorial for each holiday.
In addition to my work with Congaree Cares, I am proud to serve as a Chaplain of Hope through the Pentecostal Holiness Church. I’m also the Vice President of the Congaree American Legion Unit 90 Auxiliary, a board member for the National Palmetto Girl State, a board member of the Airport High School Educational Foundation, and a member of several other local organizations, including the Pine Ridge Woman’s Club and the Cayce Moose Lodge.
At the age of 76, I’ve never learned to say “no.” I live by my mother’s words: “Sylvia, God has blessed you with many talents and gifts, and you can’t charge people for doing His work.” I have never sought praise for the work I do. I am simply a vessel, grateful for the opportunities to serve my community and to fulfill the plan God had in mind for me all along.
As long as I am able, I will continue to follow this path, knowing that every event, every project, and every act of kindness is part of the greater purpose He has set for me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In my work with Congaree Cares, I’ve consistently had to navigate obstacles and unexpected challenges while leading community events. One ongoing challenge has been securing a central location for our patriotic displays. Although we initially had space on Main Street, I’ve spent the past three years identifying alternative locations and building partnerships, such as working with SCDOT. I’m grateful that SCDOT has allowed us to use their property, although it is located on the outskirts of South Congaree rather than Main Street South Congaree.
I’ve also had to think quickly in unexpected situations. For example, at last year’s Memorial Program, our master of ceremonies had an emergency and canceled just an hour before the event. I had to quickly find a replacement to ensure the program continued smoothly. At another event at the elementary school, the high school band was scheduled to perform but arrived very late, so I went outside and directed them in to keep the event on track. There have also been instances where scheduled presenters did not show, requiring me to quickly adjust the agenda in real time. I’ve had to change locations within hours due to an unexpected storm.
Despite these challenges, I take pride in ensuring that our guests are never aware of the issues behind the scenes. My focus is always on creating a seamless and meaningful experience for the community, no matter what obstacles arise.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Over the course of my life, I’ve worn many hats—but since retiring in 2011, my time and passion have been devoted to volunteering and serving through my organization, Congaree Cares. What began as a commitment to giving back has grown into a deeply fulfilling chapter centered on creativity, connection, and community.
One of my specialties is floral design. Whether creating arrangements for weddings, honoring loved ones at cemeteries, or adding beauty to special occasions, I find joy in bringing meaning and elegance to every piece I create. But beyond flowers, I’ve become known for something broader: my ability to step in wherever I’m needed. From organizing events and coordinating programs to decorating and design, I take pride in turning ideas into memorable experiences.
At the heart of it all is Congaree Cares—an organization I hold close to my heart. I’m especially proud of the incredible team of volunteers who stand beside me. Their unwavering support and willingness to help, no matter the task, make everything we do possible.
What truly sets my work apart, however, is my connection with people. I value the ability to communicate across all walks of life, building genuine, lasting relationships along the way. It’s this connection that keeps our community strong—and it’s why participants return year after year, eager to take part in the events and programs we create together.
For me, this journey is about more than service—it’s about impact, relationships, and leaving every space a little more beautiful than I found it.
What were you like growing up?
I was born in a small green house in Clearwater, SC. Before I turned one, my mother moved me and my two brothers into my grandparents’ small home in Rabbit Hill, SC, in Aiken County. My mother, a force of nature, ruled our household with an iron fist but also a heart full of love and care. It wasn’t until I became a mother myself that I truly appreciated the lessons she imparted through her unwavering faith and nurturing spirit.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned from her was that giving is far more rewarding than receiving. My mother, a dedicated nurse, worked tirelessly at two jobs, leaving home before 6 AM and returning around 8 PM. Because of her demanding schedule, I rarely spent Easter or Christmas with her until my senior year of high school.
As a teenager, I once approached her about a classmate who came from a large family and often arrived at school in the bitter cold without a coat. My mother encouraged me to give her my green imitation leather jacket, assuring me that God would keep me warm. Just a few days later, a friend gifted me a beautiful green wool coat. Years later, at my 50th class reunion, a woman approached me and thanked me for that very coat, reminding me how it had made a difference when her family couldn’t afford one.
These experiences reinforced the idea that even in times of struggle, there are always those who are worse off. I remember wanting to attend our school sock hop, but my mother didn’t have the 50 cents for the ticket. A friend lent me the money, and I eagerly dusted her furniture and swept her floors in return.
These early lessons instilled in me a deep-seated belief that every child and adult deserves a taste of happiness, regardless of their circumstances. I grew up in a strict Christian home, rich with love. While we faced challenges, those tough times shaped me into who I am today.
Reflecting on my childhood, I see how it laid the foundation for the path God set for me. The values of generosity, hard work, and compassion continue to guide my life, and I remain committed to ensuring that no one, especially children, goes without joy.
ESSENTUAL QUALITIES:
For me, success is rooted in something far more personal, how I impact others. The qualities that define my journey are not just skills or talents, but values: compassion, the ability to bring joy, a commitment to meaningful learning, and a deep respect for those who serve our country.
In the end, the qualities that matter most to my success are not just about what I accomplish, but how I make others feel along the way. By Caring , being kind, sharing joy, teaching , and purpose—these are the principles that guide me, and they are what I hope define my legacy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://southcongaree.net
- Facebook: congareecares
