Family Promise of Beaufort County Shines the Spotlight on Diane Mikkelson

As a volunteer driven organization, we are shining the spotlight each month on one of our dedicated volunteers who are the heart of Family Promise. They work tirelessly and greatly deserve our thanks and recognition!

In August, we shine the Volunteer Spotlight on Diane Mikkelson, a charter member of Lowcountry Presbyterian Church in Bluffton for 25 years. Diane’s congregation was among the first to partner with Family Promise of Beaufort County, enabling the organization to begin serving homeless families 10 years ago.  Since then, Lowcountry Presbyterian has continued as one of 13 host congregations, all of which provide overnight accommodations and meals to Family Promise guests.

Diane has been involved 10 ten years. “From the beginning, I was excited to be involved with a group whose mission is to provide a hand up, not a handout to those locally in need,” she said.  “When we started, Family Promise had a trailer filled with an inventory of items – folding cots, first aid kit, high chairs, etc. Volunteers would move these supplies from congregation to congregation. Quite different from today, when most host congregations own the items we use to create a comfy, temporary home for guests.”

As Host Coordinator Diane works in tandem with Co-host Cindy Marshall to oversee the Family Promise Mission which is a priority for their church.  Diane and Cindy coordinate other volunteers who help with set up/take down, meals, and overnight hosting. “I’m always there to welcome families on that first Sunday night,” said Diane. “I want to be sure our guests hear a consistent message about what is expected as well as solicit their input and questions about their stay.”

Lowcountry Presbyterian recently started hosting for two weeks in a row – when most congregations host for one week at a time. “We have found it to be very positive, for both volunteers and our families,” she said. “There is less time spent setting up and taking down and with a longer stay guests have the opportunity to settle in and feel more at home.”  In addition to volunteers from their church, Diane and Cindy receive assistance from support congregations Live Oak Christian Church and Temple Oseh Shalom.

Diane has also been involved on the organizational level with Family Promise, having served for six years as a Board member and President in 2014.  Along with other leaders, Diane served when the organization bought the current property at 181 Bluffton Road which houses the Family Day Center as well as the Family Promise offices.  

Diane and her husband Mick (Michael Mikkelson, MD) moved here from Wisconsin. Both are graduates of Carthage College in Kenosha, WI and Mick graduated from the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Madison.  They moved their family full-time to the Low Country in 1991. At that time, Dr. Mikkelson opened Lowcountry Medical Care, a practice providing family medicine. Diane is the business manager for her husband’s practice.

When she’s not focused on activities with the medical office, Lowcountry Presbyterian or Family Promise, Diane enjoys spending time with her family. The Mikkelsons have four grown children, Ryan and Carrie, who along with their families live in Bluffton and Mike and Gina, who along with their families live in Wisconsin.  Diane and Mick are proud of their 10 grandchildren and enjoy time with them on family vacations to fun spots like Disney World.

Diane exemplifies the dedicated volunteers who make it possible for Family Promise to assist homeless families.  We greatly thank you for all that you do!