INITIATIVES
Recent Updates & Activities
The Foundation supports a variety of initiatives important to Andy - Education, Conservation, Community Enrichment, Veterans, Animals and Veterinary Schools. A few of our past and current initiatives include:
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The Andy Quattlebaum Outdoor Education Center aka “Andy’s” - Clemson University
The Foundation’s support of the Clemson Outdoor Education Center, lovingly called “Andy’s” by students and staff, sustains a partnership to make a variety of outdoor adventure activities accessible to students and the Clemson community. It is the Foundation’s hope that this beautiful facility and its wealth of recreational opportunities will help others learn about, appreciate and love the outdoors as Andy did.
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Andy Quattlebaum Complex - Smoky Mountain Service Dog Veteran/Canine Training Center
Andy had a great appreciation for those who serve our country. Each year, the Foundation makes it possible to present a mobility assistance service dog to a wounded Veteran in memory of Andy and his prized yellow lab “Oak.”
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The Andy Quattlebaum Distinguished Chair In Infectious Disease Research - College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State
The Foundation’s endowment of the distinguished chair dedicated to infectious disease research honors Andy’s dedication to animals and his beloved companion Oak, a recipient of care from CVM at NC State.
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Andy’s Sanctuary - Selah Carefarm / Miss Foundation
The Foundation’s support helps the Selah Carfarm community, its animals, and beautiful farmland, provide grieving families sanctuary and support. Take a virtual tour here.
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The Foundation provides support to The Village Group, a non-profit organization where Andy volunteered. The Village Group provides summer and afterschool programs for children living in Georgetown County, South Carolina.
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Andy Quattlebaum Coastal Apprenticeship Program - South Carolina Waterfowl Association
Through the Andy Quattlebaum Apprentice Fellowship program at Clermont Plantation near Georgetown, apprentices learn all aspects of land management including waterfowl, deer, quail, turkey, dove, and fisheries habitat management. This program prepares apprentices of all backgrounds to make a long-term positive impact through conservation and land management.
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The Foundation offers core support to the Georgetown County School district’s literacy and mentorship program and makes it possible for Miss Ruby’s Kids to expand and impact more families.
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Andy’s Cottage at the Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science - Clemson University College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life Sciences
Designed and engineered by Clemson University students, this dorm cottage will provide housing to students as they explore the state’s coastal environment and study conservation at the Institute.
Andy Quattlebaum and William Blackwell Wellness Center - Through the Andy Quattlebaum and William Blackwell Wellness Center students are able to receive care on campus for health issues, and counselors are available to talk to during times of need. This honors Andy's core value of caring for and helping others.
The Andy Quattlebaum Warrior Hunt 2023
Sponsored by The Andy Quattlebaum and Blackwell Family Foundation. In association with the South Carolina Waterfowl Association, and Smoky Mountain Service Dogs where Veterans came from across the United States to the historic Santee Delta to participate in a weekend duck hunt. Please watch the 2023 video here.
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​Ducks Unlimited Antebellum Rice Study
Working in partnership with Clemson, proposed study strategies will be conducted with assistance from two doctoral students. Researchers will investigate relationships between waterfowl species, impoundment characteristics, hydrological conditions and management regimes. Information gathered through the project will help develop a risk-benefit matrix and decision support tool to inform conservation plans for what remains of the state’s historic rice impoundments, benefitting regional wildlife and all South Carolinians for years to come.
Full article here.
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The Andy Quattlebaum Reflective Writing Trail is a reflective writing trail at the farm that will be used for both educational and therapeutic activities. The trail will offer unique writing stations like the "Keep Tree" to the left in which participants can immerse themselves in nature while writing and reflecting.
Myrtle Beach Shorebirds Chapter
Quilts of Valor Foundation began in 2003 with the dream of founder Catherine Roberts. The Andy Quattlebaum and Blackwell Family Foundation met with Jim and Joan from the Myrtle Beach Chapter. Their concern for Veterans was inspiring, so we pledged to help them. From the first quilt at Walter Reed, a small movement is now a National-level organization and has presented 408,727 Quilts as of November 30, 2024.
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The Andy Quattlebaum Warrior Hunt 2025
We hosted 41 Veterans who have traveled from as far West as Arizona and North as Connecticut. Their selection was based on their service, volunteering in the community, and love of the outdoors: qualities that The Andy Quattlebaum and Blackwell Family Foundation promote in honoring Andy and what was important to him. They started at Camp Woodie on February 6th where 38 received Quilts of Valor from the Myrtle Beach Shorebirds and a wild game dinner. The next day they participated in a sporting clay event, a pheasant tower event, and the benefit dinner and auction. The event concluded with a duck hunt on February 8th at one of 10 historic plantations in Georgetown, SC.
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