Columbus Industries Celebrates 50 Years of Service

Columbus Industries, a Monarch day program supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), celebrated its 50th anniversary this week with a special event honoring its history and ongoing contributions to the community. Founded in 1974 as the Columbus County Sheltered Workshop, the program has grown into a cornerstone of the area, fostering community engagement, skill-building, and empowerment for participants.

The celebration was attended by approximately 100 guests, including several key figures from the program’s founding. Among the distinguished guests were Deborah Stanley McNeil, who served as Social Work Supervisor at Southeastern Regional Mental Health Center at the time of the program’s inception, and Julie Stocks, who was Director of Guidance & Counseling at Southeastern Community College. Their early support was instrumental in establishing the program. Julie’s husband, Don Stocks, who was a psychologist at Columbus County Mental Health Center when the program was created, also played a crucial role in its development.

Additional notable guests included Paul Pope, who was the Director of Exceptional Programs at Columbus County Schools, and Sally Marks, who held the position of Social Work Supervisor at the Columbus County Department of Social Services during the program’s early years, both of whom were instrumental in shaping the program’s success. Dennis Troy, the initial director of the Bladen County satellite location in 1978 also attended and is the current Bladen Community College Board of Trustees Chair.

Terry Mann, the Mayor of Whiteville, shared a personal story about the program’s early contributions to the community, recalling how participants built shelving for his family’s clothing store. “It’s amazing to see how the program has continued to give back to the community after all these years,” he remarked, underscoring the lasting impact of the program.

Other key figures in attendance included Eddie Madden, Columbus County Manager, Darren Currie, Whiteville City Manager, Joshua Harris and Jimmy Clarida, Whiteville City Councilmen, Dr. Sylvia Cox, Executive-Vice President and Ibreta Jackson, Chief Operating Officers of Southeastern Community College, all of whom continue to support the program’s mission and success.

The event featured a musical performance by the Columbus Industries Choir, followed by remarks from Monarch CEO Peggy Terhune and a heartfelt reflection from Steve Smith, the Founding Director of the original workshop. Smith expressed pride in seeing the program thrive decades after its inception, stating, “It is so gratifying to me to see the program I helped launch in 1974 thriving fifty years later. That experience shaped my positive value system for the remainder of my career, and for life.”

Columbus Industries Community Engagement Team Leader Susie Nathan also shared the importance of the program’s impact: “We were honored to celebrate 50 years of the Columbus Industries program with the founding members, current contributors, and the people we support. This program has been a cornerstone of our community, providing adults with I/DD the opportunity to build social skills and become valued members of the community. We are immensely grateful for the continued support that has allowed this program to thrive!”

In addition to the reflections and stories shared, a commemorative brushed metal plaque, featuring a scanned collage of local newspaper clippings and photos from the program’s early days, was presented to honor its history by the Steve Smith family. Participants from Monarch Creative Arts and Community Center in Southern Pines, NC gifted a special piece of handmade pottery to Columbus Industries, symbolizing the shared connection and ongoing support among Monarch’s statewide programs.

Monarch, which operates 17 day programs across North Carolina, continues to support adults with I/DD by providing them with the skills and tools necessary for independence and community involvement. Columbus Industries remains a vital part of this mission, fostering creative expression, community engagement, and personal growth as it enters its next 50 years of servi.