Family Promise of Beaufort County Shines the Spotlight on Rolanda Gilliard

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 March, we shine the Volunteer Spotlight on Rolanda Gilliard, a support coordinator from Lady’s Island Baptist Church.  She has been a member of the congregation for over 19 years. Recently, she joined the evangelistic ministry of her church and will spend the next two years working on her Masters of Divinity. 

She has been a Family Promise volunteer with her congregation for six years.  Rolanda said, “My Pastor Doctor Sam T. Spain and Mrs. Henrietta Spain are instrumental in supporting Family Promise through encouragement, support and making sure that resources for meals or other physical/financial needs are available.”

Rolanda and her husband Carl became coordinators at Lady’s Island Baptist Church a year ago to insure that the church would continue to be an active participant in the program.  “What I enjoy most about my work, as a Family Promise volunteer is that I can bring some comfort and convenience to the lives of families who are going through a misfortunate time,” Rolanda stated. 

Prior to moving to the Lowcountry in 1988, her family was stationed with the United States Marines in Memphis, Tennessee.  Carl and Rolanda are both natives of Charleston, SC and last lived there when they got married in 1980. She has two children, Carl Jr. and Margaret Elizabeth as well as two grandsons; Michai who is 12 and Ronan who is 16 months old. 

 “I enjoy trying to bring smiles to the children’s faces and enjoy sitting with them during the meal times to create a family like atmosphere.  I enjoy serving them on the nice china and flatware in lieu of paper products. This helps them feel and understand that we believe that they are our special guests, that we care and are privileged and honored to serve them,” Rolanda said. 

Rolanda enjoys reading, cooking, photography, walking, gardening and spending time with family and friends.  She donates her spare time to the Beaufort County School District by reading in the classrooms, mentoring students, helping with Field Day or test proctoring.  

We are thankful for dedicated volunteers like Rolanda who generously share their time with Family Promise. We greatly appreciate her help in meeting the needs of homeless children and their families.