Spotlight Allendale

12/11/2025

Small Town, Big Champions Project — Allendale County Spotlight Series

Celebrating the Legacy and Leadership of Remarkable Trailblazers Who Shaped Allendale County.

The first edition of the Small Town, Big Champions Project biography card collection features ten Allendale County “Champions” (past and present)—each offering a crisp, compelling mini-bio you will want to keep and share. New spotlights will be released quarterly, building a collectible series over time.

Price: $25 (per series)
Preorder: Now for January 2026 delivery

What you’ll get:
• Ten premium 5.5” x 8.5” biography cards
• Brief entries highlighting each “Champion’s” impact
• A keepsake set designed for classrooms, families, history lovers, and others

How to preorder:
• Please use this link to place your order https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/B2UYS6PRL4JCS or
• Email your name, quantity, and mailing address to [email protected]. We will confirm your order and share a secure payment link/invoice.

Perfect for: Classrooms • Libraries • Community groups • Gifts • Local history collections

Limited first printing. Preorders will be fulfilled in the order received beginning January 2026.

Submissions:
Do you know someone from Allendale County who has made a difference in the community, through service, creativity, leadership, or achievement? We’re collecting stories of teachers, veterans, artists, entrepreneurs, community leaders, local legends, and others who have made a lasting impact.

How to Submit:
Include:
• Name of the person you are nominating
• Their connection to Allendale County
• A photo (if available)
• Your name and contact info

Send to: [email protected]
Subject line: “Small Town, Big Champions Submission”

23/06/2025

We will honor the life and legacy of Mr. Joe Siren on July 12, 2025, at 2:00 PM in the AFES Gymnasium. We are deeply grateful for his decades of service and the countless students he impacted throughout his career at Allendale County Schools. His dedication and brilliance will be remembered by staff and alumni alike. We look forward to paying tribute to all of his contributions. To attend, please RSVP via email to Georgia Famuliner.

23/06/2025

09/06/2025

It is with immense sadness that we share the news of Professor Joe Siren's passing. 💔

Joe was more than just an icon, staple, and legend at USC Salkehatchie; he was a guiding light for our entire region. For nearly 50 years, he selflessly dedicated himself to our communities, touching countless lives in immeasurable ways. His impact as a leader, mentor, and friend will forever be cherished, and his memory will live on in the countless stories of those he inspired.

While we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the extraordinary legacy Joe leaves behind. His dedication to education changed the trajectory of so many students' lives, proving that with guidance, they could compete with anyone.

Professor Siren wished for no service. However, a celebration of life is being planned by individuals in the Allendale community, and we will share details as they become available.

If you wish to honor Joe's incredible contributions and ensure his influence continues, consider making a donation to the Joe Siren Endowed Scholarship Fund (B11496). This scholarship will support graduates from Allendale-Fairfax High School or Barnwell High School, with a preference for history majors – a fitting tribute to a man who so deeply impacted education.

To donate:

By Mail: Please make checks payable to USC Salkehatchie, indicating fund number B11496 on your check, and mail to: USC Salkehatchie Dean's Office P.O. Box 617 Allendale, SC 29810

Online: Visit https://donate.sc.edu/direct-your-gift and enter fund number B11496.

Thank you, Joe, for everything. Your wisdom, your humor, and your unwavering dedication will be profoundly missed.