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What’s Next for Dick Rose?

As the outgoing chair with the Board of Directors of Helping Hands of Georgetown, Dick Rose, a longtime resident of Debordieu, has been involved in various capacities with the organization for more than 20 years. He first heard of Helping Hands when the organization was located on Black River Road in a space owned by Georgetown Presbyterian Church. 

“Once I heard about their mission of providing immediate assistance for people who were hungry, Helen and I knew we had to support the organization,” Dick said.

 “In addition to providing monetary support and helping with food drives through Georgetown Presbyterian, which is our church, we eventually started volunteering at Helping Hands. Several years later, Dick Schwab, who I knew at church, came on board and Sharon Thomas became Executive Director.”

“In 2013, I really got involved when we started Helping Hands’ Dental Clinic.  I was eventually asked to serve on the board of directors.”

As a founding member of the organization’s dental clinic, Dick truly believes that charity begins at home. Dick was blown away when he heard that more people were going to the emergency room for bad teeth than anything else.

“When you look at Georgetown County and see the need, you have to do something,” he said.  Because of that philosophy, Dick and three others put up funds to start the dental clinic, and he served on the dental advisory board. 

His passion and work ethic granted him an invitation to serve on the board of directors where he eventually became board chair.

Dick loves the fact that Helping Hands seeks to address the root causes of what’s keeping people from where they need to be – whether it’s adults seeking better employment opportunities, food insecurity, or kids and their hopes and desires for their future. 

“When you’re older,” Dick said, “you see people who’ve had it hard, and you can empathize with them. I want the kids of those who are struggling to say, ‘I don’t need the services of a food pantry – I want to run one.’”

Dick went on to say, “Helping Hands, through the YEP (Youth Empowerment Program), teaches these kids to be reliable, persistent, and committed to building a better future for themselves. You have to have a drive, your health, and a good mentor who guides, disciplines, and mentors you.”

Brendon Barber, executive director of Helping Hands, says that he “values Dick as a leader and friend.” 

“Dick stayed on as chair of the board during the pandemic to give the board consistency and direction during a challenging time, and I really appreciate that sense of commitment,” Brendon said.

“Dick is one who leads by example. He doesn’t expect the board members to do anything he isn’t willing or hasn’t done himself. He has helped unload the food truck when it comes into our warehouse, and he’s stocked the shelves on a monthly basis. Whenever there’s an event, he and often his wife Helen are there ready and willing to dig in and work. And they have been so generous to our organization. We have been the beneficiaries of their gifts of time, treasure, and talent.”

What’s next for Dick? “Everyone who knows me knows I love Tarheels basketball, playing golf, and visiting with my family and friends. Regarding Helping Hands, I’m ready to hand the reins over (Jean Rothrock, CEO of Waccamaw Landscape & Construction is the incoming board chair), and just do the grunt work (volunteer in the warehouse) and serve as counsel – provide advice when needed based on my experience and knowledge. Also, I’ve been working on this book for years, and it’s about time for me to get it out there.”

Stay tuned then, as Dick Rose seeks to add “author” to his list of accomplishments!