For over three decades, Orangeburg City Councilman Jerry Hannah has awarded scholarships through his business, Goldstein’s on Russell.
The Greek paraphernalia store has provided scholarships to at least 45 college students at local colleges and Morris College in Sumter, Hannah’s alma mater.
“It has sustained, we’ve helped a lot of people,” Hannah said.
The Mamie James Hannah and Candace Baker Richardson Scholarship has been awarded at Morris College for 35 years. He recently made a $11,000 donation in scholarship money to the institution.
Orangeburg City Councilman Jerry Hannah is owner of Goldstein’s on Russell Street.
In the last four years, Hannah has introduced the Jerry Goldstein Hannah Scholarship for students at Claflin University, South Carolina State University and Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. This year, he expanded the scholarships by awarding two per institution.
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“In my perspective, this is a way to let them know that somebody cares about them. I know what it’s like to go to college and I know what it’s like not to go to college,” Hannah said.
Hannah began sending scholarships with one objective, “to make a difference in a student’s life.”
“I didn’t have any scholarships while in school, it was just blood, sweat and tears,” he said.
Hannah attended Morris College for undergrad and SC State for graduate school.
In fact, Hannah’s entrepreneurial spirit blossomed from his own struggles. He recalled having to sell items out of the trunk of a car to make money.
“I had to eat. I was about ready to go back home,” Hannah said.
The South Carolina Office of Resilience granted $1.7 million for stormwater drainage improvements on Adden Street.
He desires to provide scholarships to “kids who are right on the edge.”
“I want to make a difference in a student’s life,” Hannah said.
His scholarships are need-based and only awarded to existing students, with the exception of those attending OCtech.
Applicants are also tasked with writing a letter about Goldstein’s impact on the Orangeburg community.
Hannah hopes the scholarships will get students to remain in Orangeburg post-graduation.
“I want to try and get students to stay in the area because they often leave,” he said.
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He realizes that some professions may require relocation but hopes the recipients of the scholarship still chose to give back.
“A nuclear scientist could be staying in Seattle, Washington, and still contribute back to his hometown,” he explained.
“I help them with the scholarship, I want them to reach out to help Orangeburg.”
History of Goldstein’s
Goldstein’s has been a part of the Orangeburg community for over 40 years. Hannah started the business in 1983 with the first location on Highway 61. Years later, it closed after the opening of Goldstein’s on Russell Street.
In 1989, Hannah opened Goldstein’s in Holly Hill. The Holly Hill location faced a lot of adversity. The store was first shut down by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Then it was severely damaged by a flood in 2015, forcing the business owner to rebuild. The misfortune continued as the building was burned down by the hands of an arsonist in 2018.
“Someone set the town on fire and three businesses were burned down; Goldstein’s was the last one,” Hannah said.
Goldstein’s on Russell Street is still open for business.
“Orangeburg has fed me. This town has been good to me, and I appreciate that,” Hannah said.
Tyuanna Williams is a Lee Enterprises intern with The Times and Democrat. South Carolina collegiate journalist of the year for 2023, Williams is a spring 2024 Claflin University graduate.
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