Summerville Parks Foundation

10/05/2026

🏓 💚 What an incredible day at Paddle for Parks!

A huge thank-you to every player who joined us on the courts, cheered on friends and helped make our pickleball tournament such a success. We’re also incredibly grateful to our generous sponsors. Your support helped bring this event to life and allows us to continue investing in the parks and public spaces our community loves. 🌳

📸 We captured so many great moments - take a look through the photos, tag your teammates and friends, and share your favorites!

Thank you for rallying with us for Summerville’s parks. We can’t wait to do it again! 🎉

10/02/2026

Public memorials point the way forward. The Christopher Celiz Memorial will be a living classroom for our children: teaching the values of integrity and service.

When families visit the park, they will see more than bronze: they will see a local story of a life well-lived. Your contribution ensures that this legacy of inspiration remains a permanent part of our community’s story.

How to Give: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/chris-celiz-memorial
100% of your gift goes directly to the mission.

09/25/2026

Early in our efforts to honor Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz, Live 5 News shared the story of why our town is coming together to build this memorial.

As a native son and Summerville High School graduate, Chris represents the profound spirit of service that defines our community.

He is one of only 33 South Carolinians to ever receive the Medal of Honor, and this monument will ensure his legacy of selflessness is never forgotten.

Read the story here: https://www.live5news.com/2025/01/02/statue-dorchester-county-honor-medal-honor-recipient

A statue to recognize a Summerville native’s sacrifice to our country is in the making.

09/25/2026

We’re proud to have Reveer on our team as a sponsor of the Paddle for Parks pickleball tournament! 🏓🌳

Thank you for investing in our community and supporting an event that brings people together while benefiting Summerville’s parks. We truly appreciate your partnership!

09/24/2026

A heartfelt thank-you to First National Bank for sponsoring our Paddle for Parks pickleball tournament! 💚🏓

Your generous support helps us create a memorable day for our players, families and community - all while raising support for Summerville’s parks. We’re grateful to have you alongside us!

09/23/2026

Today we’re serving up some appreciation for Sweetgrass Roofing & Exteriors! 🏓

Thank you for supporting our Paddle for Parks pickleball tournament and helping us create a fantastic day for our community.

09/22/2026

A big thank you to Renewal by Andersen for sponsoring our Paddle for Parks pickleball tournament! 🏓

We’re grateful for your generous support and commitment to helping make this fun community event possible. We can’t wait to see everyone on the courts!

09/18/2026

The transition from clay to bronze uses the ancient lost-wax technique. This process involves creating a ceramic shell mold that can withstand the heat of molten bronze. This method ensures the statue's longevity, allowing it to honor Sgt. 1st Class Chris Celiz for generations.

Your donations fund these technical stages. Every gift covers the costs of the bronze material and the expert labor required for this masterpiece.

How to Give: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/chris-celiz-memorial
100% of your gift goes directly to the mission.

08/30/2026

“Christopher Celiz was courage made flesh.”

President Biden spoke these words as Chris’s family accepted the Medal of Honor on his behalf. Here in Summerville, we remember Chris not only for his extraordinary courage, but also as one of our own - a man whose instinct was always to protect others. On July 12, 2018, during a mission in Afghanistan, Chris placed himself between enemy fire and a medical evacuation helicopter so a wounded teammate and the aircrew could escape safely. Even after being wounded, he motioned for the pilots to leave without him in one final act of selfless service.

Now, our community can ensure his story continues to inspire future generations. The Chris Celiz Memorial will stand at 500 North Main Street, bringing this hometown hero back to the heart of Summerville. We are in the final fundraising phase, with $150,000 remaining to complete the bronze foundry work and commemorative plaque.

Together, we can bring this meaningful tribute across the finish line. Please help us honor Chris’s courage and bring his memorial home: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/chris-celiz-memorial

100% of every donation made through the Summerville Parks Foundation goes directly to Chris's memorial.

08/21/2026

An extraordinary tribute is taking shape one meaningful detail at a time. For months, sculptor Susie Chisholm has carefully captured the likeness and spirit of Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz. From the details of his Ranger uniform to the strength and resolve in his expression, every element is being created with remarkable skill, care, and reverence.

Now, we’re excited to take the next major step: transforming the completed sculpture into bronze so Chris’s legacy can stand in the heart of Summerville for generations. Your support can help make it possible. Every donation brings us closer to completing the bronze casting and bringing this lasting tribute home.

Help us take the next step at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/chris-celiz-memorial. 100% of every donation made through Zeffy goes directly to Chris's memorial.