Catherine Cornelia Sant: Life on Daufuskie Island

Catherine Cornelia Sant is a resident of Daufuskie Island, one of a chain of sea islands that run along the Atlantic Coast in the Southeast United States. There are only about two hundred and fifty people who live on Daufuskie Island year-round. Daufuskie Island is distinguished by its recognition as an historic district on the National Register of Historic Places, because of its Civil War history and the Gullah people who are the descendants of slaves, and who until recently still lived on Daufuskie Island.

Catherine Cornelia Sant is also a former Shelterbox USA Ambassador, who is credited with an instrumental role in raising money for the Shelterbox organization. Shelterbox says that through Catherine Cornelia Sant’s efforts, they were able to provide more than 17,600 Shelterboxes to families in need in 2011. Shelterboxes contain a family tent, water purification, a cook set and stove along with other lifesaving supplies.

Catherine Cornelia Sant

“It’s because of the continuous efforts of our volunteers such as [Catherine Cornelia Sant] that we are able to help so many vulnerable families each year,” said Emily Sperling, the President of Shelterbox USA. Catherine Cornelia Sant was the recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award for her selfless efforts on behalf of disaster victims in need. She received the award on behalf of President Barack Obama. “I am truly proud to honor our volunteers,” Emily Sperling added, “who work hard year-round to support ShelterBox and our efforts to help families rebuild their lives across the globe.”

The President’s Volunteer Service Award is part of a national recognition program created in 2003 through the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Catherine Cornelia Sant: Clayton Shaw Park Swim Team

Catherine Cornelia Sant lives on Daufuskie Island, not quite three miles offshore of South Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean. She is the mother of three children, and calls herself a swimming parent for her involvement with the Clayton Shaw Park Swim Team, a Saint Louis area swimming team.

Catherine Cornelia Sant is a past Meet Director for the Clayton Shaw Park Swim Team Summer Invitational, a three day swim meet during which more than a thousand swimmers took part the year she was at its helm. In addition to all those swimmers, Catherine Cornelia Sant oversaw a staff of eighty-five officials, and is proud to think back on her involvement and say, “We made money!”

Catherine Cornelia Sant

Catherine Cornelia Sant has also committed herself to emergency relief. She is the sort of person who is unable to stand idly by when she knows there are those who are suffering, and who she could help. Catherine Cornelia Sant was directly responsible for raising both awareness and funds for the charity organization Shelterbox, which provides emergency relief to families suffering in the aftermath of natural disasters such as tornadoes or earthquakes. Through her efforts, Shelterbox was able to provide more than 17,600 of its Shelterboxes to families around the world in 2011. The Shelterboxes contain a family tent, a water purification kit, cooking supplies, a stove, and other lifesaving supplies.

Because of her selfless efforts on behalf of those in need, Catherine Cornelia Sant was recognized by President Barack Obama with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.