Currents
C
hatting with Kathy and Dick Fishburn on a
stormy summer afternoon feels like enjoying
good times with friends and family. They are
relaxed and enjoy speaking about some of their
favorite Kiawah memories. Their eyes light up at the mention
of grandchildren. I had asked to spend some time with the
two of them to discuss a Legacy program for children. Dick
was quick to respond, “Our grandchildren love Kiawah and
feel like this is their special place!”
Developing this sense of reverence for Kiawah Island in
their six granddaughters has been an important mission for
the Fishburns. “When we found Kiawah Island, we thought it
was the most beautiful place on earth. We cannot know how
the Island will really look in 30 years, but we believe we have
a responsibility to instill our appreciation for the Island in
the next generation.” Dick emphasized it is important for the
current generation of Kiawah Islanders to educate the next
generation about what they can do to keep Kiawah the
special place it is today.
The Fishburn grandchildren spend a portion of each
summer visiting the Island. Kathy said, “They are thrilled to be
here and always sad to leave.” Recently the Fishburns created
a lasting gift that the girls can visit every time they return.
The couple purchased a brick on the pathway in the Naturally
Kiawah Demonstration Garden for each granddaughter.
They said they wanted to give them a memory for the future,
something that they could come back to see each year that is
their own little piece of Kiawah. Their portion of the garden
path has a center brick that reads, “Kiawah’s Next Generation.”
Individual bricks featuring the name and birth date of each of
their granddaughters surround that center brick.
The Fishburns’ creation inspired the Kiawah Conservancy’s
Legacy Program for Children. The Conservancy is pleased to
welcome the next generation of conservationists. We invite
all of our property owners and visitors to share in preserving
the magic.
For more information on the Children’s Legacy Program
contact Donna Windham, Executive Director. NK
Photo by Sue Corcoran
Photo by PhotoGraphics
Donna Windham
Executive Director
Background photo by Sue Corcoran
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