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Shining Stars Awards Luncheon

Meet our three Shining Stars Award Winners and hear their stories.

Shining Stars Awards Luncheon & Fashion Show

  • Held – Wednesday, May 6, 2026

About the Event

We celebrated the accomplishments of three strong individuals who shared their personal stories. Our annual event brought together more than 250 business and community leaders to celebrate those who benefited from Palmetto Goodwill’s mission and impact in 2025.

At the heart of this celebration are our award winners who have overcome a myriad of challenges to launch their new lives. All proceeds from this community event directly support our mission and fund our programs that help individuals transform their lives and futures.

About the Awards

  • The Achiever of the Year award is presented to an exceptional individual who has overcome significant barriers to employment while continuing to benefit from the supportive Goodwill work environment or services. 
  • The Goodwill Works! award recognizes a program participant who has not only benefited from Goodwill’s transformative programs but also demonstrated exceptional growth and achievement in the workforce.
  • The Graduate of the Year award recognizes an outstanding individual with a disability or other disadvantaging condition who has completed a Palmetto Goodwill job training program and successfully transitioned into competitive employment with a non-Goodwill employer.

Meet the 2026 Award Winners

Achiever of the Year

Angie Banks

Before Palmetto Goodwill, Angie spent years being turned away because of a past mistake. When she enrolled in the I-CAN Reentry Program in May 2024, she became the first retail team member in the Grand Strand’s program history. The Surfside management team saw her talent immediately – and she soared.

Through the I-CAN Reentry Program, Angie Banks translated opportunity into sustained career advancement. During paid training, her performance and leadership set her apart, leading to a full-time role upon program completion. Over the next 19 months, Angie earned six promotions, advancing from trainee to Assistant Manager II – the first I-CAN participant to reach that level. Her success demonstrates how structured reentry support, aligned employers, and individual accountability can deliver measurable workforce outcomes.

Graduate of the Year

Shavon Green

Shavon Green has spent her career caring for others, serving in roles at Veterans Victory House and the South Carolina Board of Disability. When her grandmother became ill, that lifelong commitment took on new meaning and inspired Shavon to pursue a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant, with the long-term goal of opening her own home health agency. To take that next step, she enrolled in Palmetto Goodwill’s SNAP2Work program, attending night classes while working full time and raising her family.

Balancing work, caregiving, motherhood, and coursework presented significant challenges, but Shavon remained focused on her goal. On October 8, 2025, she completed her CNA coursework – marking a milestone that reflects both her perseverance and the role of targeted workforce training in helping individuals advance into high-demand healthcare careers.

Goodwill Works! Award

Toash Cowell

For Toash Cowell, success has never been about speaking the loudest – it is reflected in his determination, strong work ethic, and pride in every task. As a Food Service Worker at the Joint Base Charleston Gaylor Dining Facility, he helps serve more than 100,000 personnel each year, consistently upholding cleaning and sanitation standards that earn top inspection scores.

Toash’s journey reflects remarkable perseverance. Born deaf, later regaining his hearing through surgery and years of therapy, and diagnosed with Asperger’s, he has navigated significant communication and sensory challenges. After joining Palmetto Goodwill Services in 2019, he found a supportive environment to build confidence, skills, and stability. In 2024, he reached a major personal milestone by earning his driver’s license and purchasing his first car – expanding his independence and illustrating what’s possible when determination is met with the right support.

Palmetto Goodwill Fashion Show

The Palmetto Goodwill Fashion Show brings purpose to the runway as local designers elevate thrifted clothing into inspired, one-of-a-kind creations. This signature Shining Star Awards experience celebrates sustainability, community talent, and the power of transformation.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Thank you to each and every one of our 2026 sponsors! This community event is made possible by your support.

Shooting Stars

Guiding Stars

Blue Carpet

Achiever of the Year

Rising Stars

Friends of Goodwill

Questions?

Please contact Laura Payne at events@palmettogoodwill.org for event details, questions, or future sponsorship opportunities.