Blossoming at SouthState
As a child, Hanson joined her family in giving back, but her first time volunteering as an adult was during her first month at SouthState. She was thrilled to find out she could join a volunteer opportunity even though she had just started the job.
”It really left a mark on my life because I realized that I was working for a company that actually cared about people. Fast forward to now, I still feel that in every single way,” she says.
In the 19 years since, Hanson has recruited many SouthState team members to support her volunteer efforts, including her boss, Betty Jo. Sneed describes her first impression of Hanson as a bright light that immediately captivated her.
”You can see her heart on the outside, and she leads with the best of intentions,” she adds.
Hanson is grateful Sneed and other area managers will answer her emails – always written in large, brightly-colored fonts – when she’s recruiting donations or volunteers. She praises the leadership in South Carolina, including Group President Bill Medich, Division President Thomas Anderson, Community Development Group Manager Edward McKelvey, Head of Bank Operations Robb Byrd, Administrative Coordinator Elizabeth Hughes, the team at the Charleston Support Center, and other Charleston Community Champions for their support.
”She doesn’t let you say ’no’ if it’s important to her,” Sneed adds.
A few years ago, Hanson found a counterpart also doing great work in Charleston in Sylvia Evans, executive director of Soul Harvesters Outreach. Evans calls their partnership a ”sisterhood” as they work together with other area organizations to make an impact on families.
As part of the Greater Purpose Award, Hanson was awarded $10,000 from SouthState to donate to a nonprofit of her choice. Evans was humbled to be selected for the funding.
”She could have picked a larger organization, but she’s there with us in the trenches. She sees the value in our work,” Evans adds.
The funding will support the ongoing work of Soul Harvesters, specifically a transitional housing program.
”Our goal is to help our families move from striving families to thriving families,” Evans says.
Much like Evans, Hanson fields a steady stream of requests for assistance. Her phone beeps with messages all day long as she works to connect people to resources or personally meets their immediate needs.
It may feel impossible to make an impact like Hanson, but she simply asks each person to find their ”greater purpose” and allow the collective good to create change.
”I don't need you all to be saviors. I need you to figure out the one really impactful thing that you can do,” Hanson says. ”Whatever that one thing is, make that happen, be deliberate and consistent about it.”
Hanson credits her family’s support, specifically her husband Kirk and her children, for enabling her to dedicate so many hours to meeting the needs of others.
Though she admits she gets tired after a long day at her branch followed by an evening of passing out food or meeting with community leaders, Hanson still has her eyes on the horizon. She dreams of opening a mobile food pantry for senior citizens and creating safer housing for young mothers.
Sneed believes if anyone can get it done, it’s Hanson.
”If you know Sonia, you know she’s just getting started,” she says.
Learn more about SouthState’s core values and volunteer efforts.
