Tom Kester to receive the Marjorie E. Schmidt Stewardship Award

Tom Kester is being honored with the Marjorie E. Schmidt Stewardship Award at Upstate Forever's 2020 ForeverGreen Awards Luncheon. This award recognizes Tom for his faithful ongoing support of Upstate Forever and other local conservation efforts.

Tom has quietly supported both Upstate Forever and local conservation efforts generally, for many years. For UF, Tom has stewarded the financial records of the organization as Treasurer, and served as a faithful board member. While providing leadership to ensure that UF’s financial records are impeccable, Tom also supports the organization as an ambassador and participant in organizational activities. In addition to his UF service, he serves as chair of the board of Lake Conestee Nature Preserver in Greenville, an organization for which he has also previously served as treasurer. In addition to these, Tom has been involved with Friends of the Reedy River and numerous other local conservation-related organizations as an ambassador, board member, friend and donor.

Tom’s quiet, but tenacious service has played a lead role in ensuring that the overall local conservation effort is well-managed and well-funded. He has done so without expectation of recognition, and is a deserving nominee for this award.

The Marjorie E. Schmidt Stewardship Award recognizes an individual who has supported Upstate Forever, or has supported local conservation efforts, consistently and quietly for ten years or longer without expectation of recognition or reward. The award is named after Marjorie E. Schmidt, a longtime Greenville resident with a heart for nature and a humble, giving spirit. 

Tickets are on sale now for the luncheon, which will take place Monday, February 24, 2020 at the Embassy Suites on Verdae Boulevard in Greenville. You can read about the other award recipients at our blog. For more information about this event, please contact Murray Dorn at murray@smoakpr.com.