JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The Hunt Housing Community on Joint Base Charleston hosted a family child care provider appreciation dinner, honoring the top providers from the past year, on March 4, 2025.
During this annual event, Madylyn Griffin was awarded the Provider of Year award while Tawyna Ritenour won the Excellence of Service award.
Parents nominate a caregiver for Provider of Year while the FCC Panel chooses a nominee who goes above and beyond for the Excellence of Service award.
At the dinner, Sherian Vickers, JB Charleston's FCC coordinator, reminded providers of their importance.
“This is our one time a year to celebrate you as a group and as individuals,” Vickers said. “You are unsung heroes.”
FCC providers use their own homes to care for children as a part of a government-backed child-care program. This provides an alternative for families who can’t get their kids into the child development center, demonstrating the important role they play in supporting military families and their children.
U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Parker, 628th Air Base Wing and Joint Base Charleston commander, attended the event to show his appreciation to the care providers. He highlighted the critical role FCC providers play in supporting military families. Parker also shared the personal impact FCC providers had on his family, noting their significant role in helping care for his own children when they were young.
“For 10 years, my wife and I had the opportunity to serve in uniform together raising two kids, but we didn't do it alone,” Parker said.” It took CDC providers, school providers, FCC providers and youth center providers to help raise our kids.”
Parker closed by expressing to the FCC providers that they’re not day-care workers, but important figures in the growth and development of the children under their care.
If any members of JB Charleston are in need of child care or want to be certified as a FCC provider, they are encouraged to reach out to Sherian Vickers for more information at 843-963-2546.