Mullikin Law founding principal says it’s a favorite Christmas tradition
By W. Thomas Smith Jr.
In what has become an annual Christmas tradition for the Camden-based Mullikin Law Firm; Mullikin Law employees, friends of the firm and members of the Mullikin family gathered at Hobby Lobby in Camden to ring the bells for THE SALVATION ARMY OF THE MIDLANDS.
“Like the previous three seasons, this has truly become one of my favorite Holiday events,” said Dr. Tom Mullikin, founding principal-partner at the Mullikin Law Firm. “Ringing the bell for me is one of the most personally rewarding experiences of any Christmas season. In fact, it speaks to what the season is all about, and you can see it in the faces of those we see passing by and contributing to the kettle.”
In late November, the seven-member South Carolina Natural Resources Board unanimously selected Mullikin to lead the S.C. Department of Natural Resources as SCDNR’s next director. The board’s selection is subject to S.C. Senate Confirmation in early 2025.
The Mullikin Law Firm and friends of the firm rang the bells and manned the kettle in front of the Hobby Lobby entrance every hour from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Two years ago, Mullikin Law received the Salvation Army’s Community Outreach award for “raising far above the average collected in a kettle in one day,” according to Salvation Army officials.
Like 2022 and 2023, this year the team created awareness and “generated excitement” with local VIP bellringers manning the kettle throughout the day.
In addition to Mullikin whose shift was from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., shifts were also manned by Kershaw County Sheriff Lee Boan and deputies, Bracey Crawford with the Carolina Cup Racing Association, Maria Ouzounidis with the Mullikin Law Firm, Kershaw County Councilman Brant Tomlinson and Councilman Derrick Shoemake, Judge William Cox, decorated U.S. Army combat veteran Clark Gray, retired U.S. Marine Colonel Steve Vitali, and S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Brutschy.
Like Brutschy, Mullikin and Vitali are also S.C. Black Belt Hall of Famers.
“Being with friends like this and seeing how much and how willingly shoppers want to give speaks volumes about what the Spirit of Christmas is all about,” said Brutschy.
Vitali agrees. “Everyone going in-and-out of the store are eager to interact with the bellringers, put money in the kettle, and wish everyone around them a Merry Christmas, the kids as much as the adults,” Vitali said.
Major Mark Craddock, area (five-county region) commander of The Salvation Army says: “It’s more than simply ringing a bell, it is proclaiming hope. Every dollar collected, fuels critical services for individuals and families in need right here in the Midlands.”
The five counties served by the Salvation Army of the Midlands, include Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Newberry, and Fairfield Counties.
Since 1906, community partners in the Midlands like the Mullikin Law Firm have helped ring the bell to raise awareness and funds for The Salvation Army. One of many programs supported by Midlands-area kettle funds is the Christmas Angel Tree program, providing children with new toys and clothing. Kettle funds also support the Salvation Army’s social services department which provides for housing stability (preventing homelessness), meals served and food service for homeless shelters, as well as youth development, including summer camps and reading programs.
For additional information about the Salvation Army of the Midlands, visit – https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/midlands/.
– Pictured (L-R) an anonymous shopper, Maria Ouzounidis with the Mullikin Law Firm, S.C. Black Belt Hall of Famer Bruce Brutschy, Dr. Tom Mullikin, retired USMC Col. Steve Vitali, and U.S. Army veteran Clark Gray (kneeling).
