BRONWYN MCELVEEN Bronwyn McElveen came to Sumter from Greenville in 2008 to further her career. “I was working as a clerk for a judge and he set me up to come to Sumter to work with Judge Buck James,” she said. Unlike most people, however, McElveen didn’t plan to stay here. “The job only lasted a year,” she said. “I had planned to join the Navy as an officer. Fate sometimes has a way of changing life’s plans, and McElveen’s life was about to take an unexpected turn. “I took a job in the Solicitor’s office and then I met Thomas (McElveen),” she said. Before long, the couple fell in love and soon married. “Once I got engaged, I knew Sumter would be my home,” she said. “I love Greenville, but it’s a lot bigger than Sumter. What I love about Sumter is you can really get to know people and get things done.” And McElveen immersed herself in the community, volunteering for various commissions and boards. She has twice been chairwoman of the local United Way drive
and presently chairs the local American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, among others. She is also a deacon at her church, First Presbyterian Church. She said she has no regrets about moving to Sumter. “I’ve seen the community change for the better,” she said. “It has been great to see the positive changes during the past eight years. McElveen said some people have a bad impression of Sumter—one that she says is not deserved. “Some people are under the impression that crime is bad in Sumter,” she said. “Actually, our crime is no worse than other cities around our size. People need to come here and see for themselves what a great community we have here. “I’d tell newcomers to get involved and experience the community for themselves,” she said. “Don’t base your opinion about Sumter on what you might hear. Come see it for yourself. Sumter is a great place to have a home and a great place to raise a family. It’s where I’m raising mine.”
Every second of every day, 70 people have blood drawn with a BD Medical device. These devices are manufactured right here, in Sumter, SC.
1575 Airport Rd • Sumter, SC 29153 • 803.469.8010 • www.BD.com 10 |
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