Family Promise of Beaufort County Shines the Spotlight on Mary Watson

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 September, we shine the Volunteer Spotlight on Mary Watson, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Lowcountry.  Mary’s congregation became a partner with Family Promise in 2008, committed to the Family Promise mission to serve homeless families in Beaufort County.  Unitarian Universalist is one of 14 host congregations, all of which provide overnight accommodations and meals to Family Promise guests. 

“I got reeled in initially,” Mary said with a smile, “by cooking for Family Promise guests. Different than many volunteers, I became involved at my church as a result of my Family Promise participation. And now, I’ve become a coordinator.”  In describing the process that takes place four times per year when her congregation hosts families, Mary said Carla Golden is now her “partner in crime.”  For the past year, Carla has organized the schedules for volunteers who help with setup and take down.  Members of the youth group often assist in preparing for families to arrive.

Three support congregations – St. Andrews by the Sea, Lowcountry Community Church, and Savannah Church of Christ – provide additional assistance when guests stay at the Unitarian Church. Working together, volunteers from all four congregations make the magic happen!

A native of Chicago, Mary moved to the Low Country from Greenville, S.C. 20 years ago. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Mary worked in Illinois as a social worker and once she moved south she worked for the state for 28 years.

In addition to Family Promise, Mary supports Upendo Village, a project in Africa initiated to respond to the needs of Kenyans living with HIV/AIDS.  Through the program clients are surrounded with loving care and have access to resources to improve health, restore self-respect, and give hope. Mary visited Upendo Village in 2008 and hopes to return again soon. 

Mary enjoys being outdoors and is an avid beach goer.  She enjoys watching baseball, be it professional or little league.  She likes to go to spring training, both in Florida and in Arizona. She has a sailboat she keeps in Jacksonville, Fla., and tries to get down several times a year to get out on her boat.  

Mary has a grown son who lives with his family in West Phoenix, Ariz., and is the proud grandmother of two.

We are so thankful for dedicated volunteers like Mary who enable Family Promise to continue to meet the needs of homeless children and their families.