A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR BRUCE RAY VOLLNOGLE OF GREENVILLE FOR HIS DEDICATED VOLUNTEER SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN TRANSPORTING THE STATE CHRISTMAS TREE TO COLUMBIA AND TO EXTEND THE SINCERE APPRECIATION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR HIS TWO DECADES OF FAITHFULNESS IN THIS SERVICE.

 

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of Representatives recognizes those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to the welfare of this great state's citizenry. Bruce Ray Vollnogle of Greenville, who exemplifies such individuals, has proven himself a kind friend of the citizens of the Palmetto State in the faithful volunteer service he has rendered for twenty years in transporting the state Christmas tree to Columbia in preparation for the holiday season; and

 

Whereas, more than two decades ago, the Columbia Garden Club conducted a contest to acquire a vendor for transporting the state Christmas tree to Columbia. Most of the vendors who contacted the committee were looking for a compensatory promotional benefit. Bruce, however, readily volunteered to handle the transportation without any promotion for his business; and

 

Whereas, this is Bruce's twentieth year of delivering the State House Christmas tree at no charge. Over the years, Bruce and his crew have travelled to West Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania to pick up and transport the tree selected for display at the South Carolina State House; and

 

Whereas, in preparation for his career, Bruce Vollnogle graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor's degree in construction science. Since 2005, this Greenville native and his business partner have served as builders who offer commercial and residential design at Greer's Heartwood Constructors, Inc.; and

 

Whereas, in his work, he finds strong support in the encouragement of his family: his loving wife, Karen; and their three children, Gracie, Raelie, and Rhys. He prioritizes his family with baseball games, dance recitals, and swim meets. As a man of faith, Bruce serves his church as a deacon and Sunday school teacher; and

 

Whereas, committed to serving his community in various other ways, as well, he undertook to clean roads of debris and perform tree removal from homes in the Greenville area after Hurricane Helene; and

 

Whereas, a hobby welder when he has the time, Bruce designed a 10 wide baler for transporting South Carolina's state Christmas tree. Further, he relishes making furniture and likes to use his grandfather's pattern-making equipment in that pleasurable pursuit; and

 

Whereas, the members of the House of Representatives recognize that the success of the State of South Carolina, the strength of its communities, and the vitality of American society as a whole depend, in great measure, upon the dedication of individuals like Bruce Ray Vollnogle who use their talents and resources to serve others. Gratefully, the House acknowledges Mr. Vollnogle's valuable contributions to the Palmetto State's increased joy in a season that means so much to so many. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Bruce Ray Vollnogle of Greenville for his dedicated volunteer service to the people of South Carolina in transporting the state Christmas tree to Columbia and extend the sincere appreciation of the South Carolina House of Representatives for his two decades of faithfulness in this service.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Bruce Ray Vollnogle.

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