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MEDIA CONTACT: Barb Krumm, Director of Marketing
and Public Relations, please call (843) 828-4829 M-F 8 AM-5 PM EST, after hours:
(843) 457-0601. A 300 dpi photo is available via
email.
 MYRTLE
BEACH, SC - Mary Emily and Nelson Jackson, founders of The Jackson Companies, were
awarded South Carolina's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto on Thursday,
February 26, 2004. They are known for their leadership in the campground and tourism
industries, as well as their support of the Grand Strand Community.
A surprise birthday party was planned by family and staff to celebrate Nelson's
84th birthday, even though secrets and surprises are nearly an impossibility when
it comes to Nelson Jackson. The birthday party was more of a decoy to hide the real
surprise awaiting both Nelson, and his wife of 61 years, Mary Emily. With more than
90 guests, The Jackson Companies CEO, Dennis Wade, wished Nelson a happy birthday.
Wade explained that there was a very special gift for him, but that he would have
to share it with Mary Emily.
South Carolina Representative, Thomas Keegan, R-Surfside Beach presented The Order
of the Palmetto on behalf of Governor Mark Sanford. "This award has been bestowed
upon you for your exceptional dedicated service to the Palmetto State," read Rep.
Keegan from Gov. Sanford's letter. "As outstanding civic and business leaders, you
have helped improve the quality of life for the entire Myrtle Beach community. You
are known as tireless ambassadors for South Carolina and are long-time promoters
of the Grand Strand as an outstanding vacation spot. The Jackson Companies has been
an integral part of the business community in Myrtle Beach and Horry County for
many years, and has been certified a Gold Seal Family Friendly Business because
it promotes the health and well-being of its employees and emphasizes the need for
more balance in work and family matters," Keegan continued. "As recipients of many
business, civic and personal awards recognizing your tremendous work and philanthropy,
you inspire other to serve because you lead not by word but by example."
After a standing ovation, Nelson and Mary Emily took the podium. "Why am I here?
Because you've helped me live 84 years, and you've pushed me and Mary Emily to this
height," Nelson explained. "Without each one of you, we couldn't have gotten here.
Thank you." Mary Emily, with Nelson at her side, smiled and commented on the growth
of the Myrtle Beach Area, "It's been a privilege for me to watch this area grow
for 82 years. It's been so wonderful, I like to see the growth. Some people come
here and say, ‘it's just wonderful how it is, keep it that way.' I don't believe
that, I think we should keep on going. There's no telling what this area is going
to be in another 82 years!"
About the Jacksons
Mary Emily Platt Jackson was born and raised in Conway, South Carolina, the daughter
of Vivian Francis and Mary Dusenbury Platt. She is a graduate of Conway High School
and Converse College. As an active community leader, Mary Emily has led many organizations
including the Peter Horry Chapter of DAR, Chicora Chapter Colonial Dames, Archibald
Rutledge Club, Horry County Historical Society, First Presbyterian Women, Friends
of Brookgreen Gardens, Long Bay Symphony Board and Franklin G. Burroughs - Simeon
B. Chapin Art Museum Board.
Nelson Jackson was born and raised in Tryon, North Carolina, the son of John Nelson
and Laura Chapman Jackson. He is a graduate of The Darlington School and Clemson
College, 1942, with a degree in Textile Engineering, Weaving and Design and also
OTS (Officer Training School). The week after college graduation, Jackson enlisted
in the service of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II, and discharged as
a First Lieutenant. He drove a bus for Trailways and then worked in the family business,
Jackson & Jackson, Inc., Cloth of Gold Fabric's first traveling salesman. Jackson
then began running the company and was made President. Nelson and Mary Emily agreed
to make their home in his mountains for 30 years, and then on the beach for thirty
years. In 1970, the Jackson family moved to Myrtle Beach to develop Ocean Lakes
Family Campground. In his 50's, Jackson continued building a successful career and
several businesses. An active community leader, he has guided many organizations
such as the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Board, Conway Hospital Board,
Nations Bank Board, the Myrtle Beach Campground Owners Association and more.
The devoted couple, married 61 years, have made an outstanding team and have encouraged
the "team" philosophy through to their family and the management of their businesses.
Nelson and Mary Emily were married on June 2, 1942, the week of college graduation
and days before Nelson joined the United States Army. They have five daughters,
Emily Jackson Vallerino, Laura Jackson Hoy, Katherine Jackson Williamson, Rachael
Jackson Gandy and Jeanne Jackson Mize, ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
The Jacksons are known for their creative ingenuity. As a traveling salesman for
Cloth of Gold Fabrics in North Carolina, Mary Emily made clothing for all the girls
out of Cloth of Gold fabric. The family periodically traveled with Nelson, modeling
dresses made from Cloth of Gold Fabric, as he thanked his loyal customers. It was
traveling with his family that caused Nelson to engineer one of the first fifty
motor homes in America out of an old Trailway Bus. "Do you know how hard it is to
get six girls up and dressed every morning," Nelson explains. "With the bus I could
roll out of bed, hop behind the wheel and go!"
The Jackson Companies were established to oversee the many subsidiaries that began
with Nelson and Mary Emily. Ocean Lakes Family Campground, the flagship of The Jackson
Companies, is the largest campground on the East Coast and has won national awards
for its leadership in the industry. Its sister company, Ocean Lakes Properties has
pioneered the concept of annual lease sites. Quality is a benchmark for their companies,
as seen with Prestwick Country Club. Other subsidiaries include the award-winning
Ocean Lakes RV Center, Sunway Charters and Tours, Crystal Lake Mobile Home Village
and SayeBrook, a new mixed-use developement. The Jacksons have also owned a construction
company, an asphalt company and Sea Winds Stables.
 Compassion for others and the community compels the Jacksons to countless
charitable organizations. From the Turbeville Freewill Baptist Home for Children,
to the Firemen, Police and State Highway Patrol, to presenting Horry County "Teacher
of the Year" Award annually, the Jacksons have touched many lives. Their actions
have set an example for their family and employees (referred to as teammates). The
Jackson Companies assist many organizations with more than just monitary donations.
They have donated countless hours of manpower and encouraged their teammates to
give back to the community.
More about The Jackson Companies
Ocean Lakes Family Campground opened on July 2, 1971 with 30 campsites and one bathhouse.
Today, Ocean Lakes features 3,412 sites on 310 oceanfront acres with nearly one
mile of beachfront. It is the largest campground on the East coast and one of the
largest in the United States. Ocean Lakes is viewed as a leader and has helped to
revolutionize the campground industry, primarily because of the Jacksons' foresight
and planning. All 893 transient campsites are large and pull-through, accommodating
today's increasingly larger RVs. It employs nearly 170 teammates year round and
an additional 125 seasonal teammates during the summer. On an average seasonal day,
there are nearly 20,000 guests in the campground. It was named the 1997, 1999 and
2002-03 "National "RV Park of the Year" by the
National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC).
Ocean Lakes Properties handles the
sales and rentals of approximately 2,519 annual lease sites for the campground.
With the most diverse structures and accommodations offered in the campground industry,
Ocean Lakes is very appealing to the non-camper. The leasee is permitted to have
a variety of structures including a trailer, a mobile home, a park model or a two-story
stick built house with up to 1600 square feet of living space. The Jacksons helped
to pioneer the annual lease concept in the camping, real estate and banking industry.
Prestwick Country Club is a premier
gated community that showcases more than 600 homesites including Wynfield, Highgrove
and Manchester Place. It features a plantation style Clubhouse with a restaurant
and a pro shop, a Tennis and Swim Center and an 18 hole golf course designed by
Pete and P.B. Dye featuring Scottish berms, deep pot bunkers, lakes and rolling
greens.
Ocean Lakes RV Center (formerly Camping Sales
and Service) adjacent to Ocean Lakes' entrance, has won the "Circle of Excellence
Award" by Fleetwood for Customer Satisfaction the past 10 years in a row. It sells
new and used RV's, Fifth Wheels, travel trailers a folding campers. It has a large
show floor, a store with RV supplies and an Awning Center. The repair garage has
specially trained technicians that will go to a campsite to service a campers' RV.
Sunway Charters and Tours is the only full service motor coach company in this region.
It features a service plaza with fuel, motor coach cleaning and mechanical repairs.
With eleven motor coaches, Sunway offers packaged trips throughout the US and Canada,
as well as packages that feature air and cruises.
Crystal Lake Mobile Home Village is located near Lakewood Elementary School and
features 376 lots for single or doublewide mobile homes.
SayeBrook is an upscale master planned development at the intersection of Highway
544 and US 17 Bypass. It currently features Beach First National Bank, Bob Evans
Restaurant and retail space which includes the Atlanta Bread Company, TCBY and more.
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