Chapin, SC (Paul Kirby) - Little Miss South Carolina 2019, Alexis Grace Moore, daughter of Kevin and Tracy Moore of Chapin, was presented with the Youth Philanthropist of the Year Award by the Chapin Community Foundation last weekend. The award was presented during the Foundation’s Annual Groundhog Valentine's Ball.
Alexis was awarded the title of Little Miss at a pageant in Hartsville, SC in 2019. She is the daughter of Kevin and Tracy Moore of Chapin and a student at Chapin Elementary School.
Long before she was crowned, Alexis realized that she had a desire to work on community service projects in hopes of making a difference in her community. As a part of her platform KIK (Kids Investing in Kids), she has afforded children an opportunity to allow others kids to step up and help to make a difference in many lives. Alexis believes that every child should have someone somewhere that they can go in their time of need. Whether they need help meeting their basic daily needs, want someone they can turn to who will just listen, or someone who will hold their hand for strength and support, Alexis says KIK will be there.
According to her Facebook page, through her platform, and with the help of some of her friends, Alexis has taken the first step in changing lives. She created a “basic essentials” bags available to kids in her community. Each bag contains a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, soap, deodorant and a comb, items many of us take for granted daily. The bags have been available at elementary schools and daycares in her hometown of Chapin.
Alexis competed in the Little Miss South Carolina state pageant in July of this 2019 as Little Miss West Columbia. She received the Gold Presidential Service Award for completing over 190 community service hours. She also received the Prisma Health Children’s Hospital Helping Hands Award for her contributions to the hospital.
The Award Alexis received was named in memory of Florian Henry "Bud" Lewandowski. He was a kind and giving man who began serving others early on. Reared in foster homes, Bud worked throughout high school before enlisting in the Air Force where he honorably served his country.
After discharge, Bud received his education utilization of the G.I. Bill. Bud quickly put his education to work to better the lives of others. He helped non-profits raise money as a grant writer, a skill Bud honed working for the University of South Carolina as director of grant development. There he drafted proposals for funding where the University had significant interest.
He was a member of the Chapin Rotary Club and concentrated on establishing the Greater Chapin Endowment. He also helped establish Home Works, organizing help to repair housing for the elderly and the impoverished. His wife Patricia Lewandowski presented the Award to Alexis Saturday night.
In her Facebook post regarding the presentation, Alexis said, “I am so honored to have been awarded the 2020 Bud Lewandowski Youth Philanthropist of the Year Award. Thank you to the Greater Chapin Community Foundation and Ms. Lewandowski for this award.”
