2020 Sumter Keepsake ornament honors community resiliency

You know Christmas is around the corner when the 2020 Sumter Keepsake ornament goes on sale.

We have all said we would like to forget 2020, but this ornament reminds us there are reasons to remember. Presented by Sumter Volunteers, ornament No. 27 encompasses the strength of Sumter. In colors of gold, blue and red, the ornament is centered with Earth and surrounded with the words "peace," "joy," "compassion," "kindness," "hope," "believe," "faith" and "love," and it is highlighted with a blue banner that reads "We're All In This Together."

Included in the commemorative box is a pamphlet explaining the ornament's meaning.

"Sumter Strong - The Sumter community has, once again, shown our compassion and commitment to one another. This year, we celebrate the resilience of our community as we stand proud to see how our friends and neighbors have pulled together to help everyone in need. Whether it's residents singing to patients outside of hospital windows, businesses donating supplies or neighborhoods walking together to promote unity, the Sumter community has shown that we are truly in this together. We are proud of this message of hope, love and compassion we are sending to the world. Let us continue this momentum as we look forward to the renewed opportunity to better our community while also bettering ourselves. We are in this together. We are #Sumterstrong."

Sumter Keepsake ornaments have been sold each year since 1994 and have depicted numerous Sumter landmarks such as the Sumter Opera House, Sumter County Courthouse, Sumter County Museum, Riley Ball Park and more.

This year's ornament is on sale for $15 at the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce, 32 E. Calhoun St.; Simpson Hardware, 40 W. Wesmark Blvd.; and the Swan Lake Visitors Center, 822 W. Liberty St. The visitor center is now open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and can provide curbside shopping. Purchases can be made over the phone by calling (803) 436-2640 and then picking your ornament up curbside.