For over a century, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation has championed the values of service, leadership, and integrity. Since its inception in 1930, the Foundation has worked tirelessly to cultivate a spirit of philanthropy and civic responsibility in young leaders throughout the American South and beyond. From award presentations and scholarship programs to leadership retreats, the Foundation has provided generations of students with opportunities to learn, grow, and serve.
However, with the launch of the Sullivan Service Corps, the Foundation has taken its mission to a new level, transforming the ideals of service into direct, hands-on action. What began as an immediate response to disaster relief has evolved into an ongoing, structured initiative that puts boots on the ground, directly impacting communities in need.
A Call to Serve: The Beginning of the Sullivan Service Corps
The Sullivan Service Corps was born out of crisis. In 2024, Hurricane Helene left a trail of devastation across North Carolina, hitting Western Appalachian communities particularly hard. Faced with the reality of widespread flooding, destroyed homes, and displaced families, the Sullivan Foundation knew they had to act.
“We could have written a check and moved on,” said Caroline Burlingame, the Foundation’s Director of Operations. “But that wasn’t enough. We had relationships in these communities, and we felt our presence, physical labor, and show of commitment, would be more valuable and helpful than a financial donation.” With this in mind, the Sullivan Foundation canceled its scheduled Ignite Retreat, an annual leadership and entrepreneurial event, and instead mobilized a group of staff members, Sullivan Fellows, and Sullivan Network School student and faculty volunteers to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts. The first Sullivan Service Corps team arrived in North Carolina just two weeks after the hurricane hit.
In the small town of Marshall, NC, the Sullivan Corps volunteers waded through mud to help shovel out homes and businesses. They cleared debris, repaired structures, and worked alongside local nonprofit partners, including Equal Plates Project and Haywood Street Congregation, to distribute meals to those in need.
“It was exhausting, dirty work,” Burlingame explained. “But every bucket of mud we cleared, every meal we helped serve made a real difference.”
The success of this first effort didn’t just bring relief to those affected; it ignited a new passion. The impact of this work was tangible and transformative, and the leadership at the Foundation became acutely aware that this could not be a one-time effort.
A Second Mission: Deepening Community Ties
Building on the success of the initial relief efforts, the Foundation organized a second Sullivan Service Corps trip in January 2025, bringing together a team of 22 volunteers that again included Sullivan Fellows and Sullivan Staff, and student and faculty volunteers from the Sullivan Network of schools. This time, the scope of their work expanded.
The volunteers traveled to Western North Carolina, working in several small towns that were still struggling to recover from the hurricane. Over the course of five days, the Corps partnered with four key community organizations:
- Root Cause Farm – Volunteers assisted in winterizing crops, preparing soil, and ensuring that the farm, which was dedicated to providing free, locally grown food, could continue its operations into the new year.
- Equal Plates Project – The Corps helped prepare and distribute thousands of meals, giving the overworked kitchen staff a much-needed break.
- Grassroots Aid Alliance – The team assisted in moving and reorganizing an entire warehouse filled with supplies for future relief efforts.
- Old Fort Community Cleanup – The Corps visited Old Fort, NC, one of the hardest-hit areas, to assess remaining damage and assist with debris removal and community restoration projects.
“Everywhere we went, the sense of community was undeniable,” Burlingame said. “People would see our group, ask who we were, and when they learned we were here just to help, it floored them. It reinforced the importance of what, just showing up can do.”
From Disaster Relief to Long-Term Service: The Future of the Sullivan Service Corps
What started as an emergency response has now become a permanent initiative. The Sullivan Foundation is committed to making the Service Corps an annual, structured program, expanding its mission beyond disaster relief into proactive community service.
Future plans for the Service Corps include:
- Annual Service Trips – The Corps will host at least two major service trips per year, with a focus on different regions in need.
- Year-Round Engagement – The Foundation, through its Fellows Program is working to create ongoing partnerships with nonprofits, food banks, farms, and housing initiatives, ensuring service continues beyond organized trips.
- Sustainable Service Models – Rather than just responding to crises, the Corps looks to create lasting community programs in education, environmental restoration, and economic development.
- Expanding Student Involvement – By integrating service opportunities into Sullivan programming, more Fellows, students, and alumni will have a chance to engage in hands-on service.
- Corporate and Regional Sponsorships – The Foundation is working with businesses and local partners to fund and support these trips, making it financially sustainable.
Steve McDavid, President of the Sullivan Foundation, believes this initiative perfectly aligns with the Foundation’s long-standing mission.
“We have spent the last century cultivating servant leaders,” McDavid said. “The Sullivan Service Corps is a natural next step. It’s not just about teaching young people the values of service – it’s about immersing them in real, hands-on experiences where they see the impact of their work firsthand.”
The Sullivan Legacy: Service in Action
The Sullivan Service Corps is more than a program, it’s a living extension of the values Algernon Sydney Sullivan and Mary Mildred Sullivan championed over a century ago.
Algernon, a renowned attorney, philanthropist, and humanitarian, spent his life fighting for justice and fairness. He believed in serving those without privilege, whether in the courtroom or through his charitable efforts. His wife, Mary Mildred Sullivan, was equally dedicated to service, advocating for education, social justice, and philanthropy.
The Sullivan Foundation was established in 1930 to honor their legacy, awarding scholarships, recognizing student leaders with the Sullivan medallions, and supporting higher education institutions dedicated to service. But with the Sullivan Service Corps, the Foundation is not just honoring their legacy – it is actively continuing their work.
“This is what the Sullivans stood for,” Burlingame emphasized. “They believed in action. They believed in using your time, energy, and skills to make the world a better place. That’s exactly what we’re doing.”
A Lasting Commitment to Service
As the Sullivan Foundation embarks on its second century, the Service Corps stands as one of its most ambitious and impactful initiatives yet. By combining education, leadership development, and real-world service, the program offers participants something that goes beyond volunteering – it is a transformative experience.
For the communities served, the impact is tangible: homes rebuilt, food provided, hope restored. For the students and Fellows who participate, the experience is life changing. They leave with a hands-on perspective of service, leadership and how to give back.
As the Sullivan Service Corps continues to grow, one thing remains certain: this is just the beginning.
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