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26 Mar, 2024
We are thrilled to announce our new Donor Network Advisory Board members for the 2024-2025 term. These individuals' diverse backgrounds, expertise, and passion for making a difference will help propel United Way of the Piedmont to new heights of success and impact. African American Leadership Society (AALS) is a donor group for those who give $500 or more annually and wish to connect with their peers and engage more deeply in the work of United Way. The AALS Advisory Board are leaders who want to elevate and empower the Black community. AALS New Advisory Board Members: Kensley Aiken – City of Spartanburg Wendy Bennett – American Credit Acceptance Natalie Hurd – Milliken & Company Kevin Rountree – BMW Selena Smith – United Way of the Piedmont & Live Healthy Spartanburg Vanessa Thompson - S partanburg Regional Healthcare System (Retired) Women United is a United Way donor group for donors who give $1,000 or more annually and wish to connect with their peers and engage more deeply in the work of United Way. Members have access to exclusive networking events, volunteer experiences, and educational opportunities. Women United New Advisory Board Members: Janet Cann - Spartanburg Water (Retired) Chandis Digby - Milliken & Company Sara Herring - Milliken & Company Ginger Shuler - Second Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg Hope Talley - Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Lucy Woodhouse - Wofford College Y oung Leaders is a United Way donor group for donors under the age of 40 or younger who give $100 or more annually. Young Leaders learn about community issues, participate in unique volunteer experiences, and join exciting networking events with fellow young philanthropists. Young Leaders New Advisory Board Members Heath Flood - Loop Recruiting Kara Mason - Johnson Development Associates Bryan Stallard - OTO Development Congratulations to our new advisory board members! Together, we'll continue to connect, engage, and inspire people to transform our community for the next generation of leaders. Learn more about all our donor networks at www.uwpiedmont.org/donornetworks .
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26 Mar, 2024
We are thrilled to announce our new Donor Network Advisory Board members for the 2024-2025 term. These individuals' diverse backgrounds, expertise, and passion for making a difference will help propel United Way of the Piedmont to new heights of success and impact. African American Leadership Society (AALS) is a donor group for those who give $500 or more annually and wish to connect with their peers and engage more deeply in the work of United Way. The AALS Advisory Board are leaders who want to elevate and empower the Black community. AALS New Advisory Board Members: Kensley Aiken – City of Spartanburg Wendy Bennett – American Credit Acceptance Natalie Hurd – Milliken & Company Kevin Rountree – BMW Selena Smith – United Way of the Piedmont & Live Healthy Spartanburg Vanessa Thompson - S partanburg Regional Healthcare System (Retired) Women United is a United Way donor group for donors who give $1,000 or more annually and wish to connect with their peers and engage more deeply in the work of United Way. Members have access to exclusive networking events, volunteer experiences, and educational opportunities. Women United New Advisory Board Members: Janet Cann - Spartanburg Water (Retired) Chandis Digby - Milliken & Company Sara Herring - Milliken & Company Ginger Shuler - Second Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg Hope Talley - Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Lucy Woodhouse - Wofford College Y oung Leaders is a United Way donor group for donors under the age of 40 or younger who give $100 or more annually. Young Leaders learn about community issues, participate in unique volunteer experiences, and join exciting networking events with fellow young philanthropists. Young Leaders New Advisory Board Members Heath Flood - Loop Recruiting Kara Mason - Johnson Development Associates Bryan Stallard - OTO Development Congratulations to our new advisory board members! Together, we'll continue to connect, engage, and inspire people to transform our community for the next generation of leaders. Learn more about all our donor networks at www.uwpiedmont.org/donornetworks .
By Amy Garvey 25 Jan, 2024
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit designed to help low- to moderate-income working families, and it’s a powerful tool in the fight against poverty. The credit reduces the tax burden for eligible families and often results in a refund, which can help struggling families make ends meet, afford necessities, and even build savings. Many are still unaware of the benefits of the EITC, but it can make a big difference for millions of people every year, including those right here in the Upstate. That’s why we’re asking you to join us on Awareness Day on Friday, January 26, 2024. To qualify for EITC, a taxpayer must work and have earned income below a certain threshold, based on their filing status and the number of qualifying children they have. The amount of the credit decreases as income rises. The EITC is known for its anti-poverty effects. It can help working families with expenses such as housing, childcare, transportation, and medical bills. In addition, the refund received through the EITC can be used to create a savings cushion to help them deal with unexpected expenses or emergencies. Additionally, the EITC has been shown to improve the total well-being of eligible families. The credit has been linked to overall better health, especially among mothers and children. Having more money from the credit can mean access to better food, housing, and healthcare, which can lead to better health outcomes. The EITC isn’t just about helping families—it also helps the local economy. The EITC generates economic activity and supports jobs. When working families receive the credit, they often spend it immediately, creating demand for goods and services that support local businesses and create jobs. This awareness campaign is essential to ensure that those who qualify receive the credit. There are a variety of local organizations that offer free tax preparation services to low and moderate-income taxpayers, like our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program at United Way of the Piedmont. Learn how you may qualify to file for free and get help with your taxes at: www.uwpiedmont.org/freetaxpreparation .  The EITC is a valuable tool for combating poverty, improving health outcomes, and strengthening the local economy. By understanding EITC guidelines and eligibility, we can better support working families and help them access valuable tax credits. Let’s work together to increase EITC awareness and support the hardworking taxpayers in our community.
By Amy Garvey 24 Jan, 2024
On Monday, January 15, 2024, more than 540 volunteers came together in Spartanburg to serve over 1,000 total hours at local non-profits in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spearheaded by the City of Spartanburg and United Way of the Piedmont (UWP), the day began with a free community breakfast provided by Denny’s Mobile Relief Diner at the Dr. TK Gregg Community Center. During breakfast, several prominent community members spoke of Dr. King’s legacy. Said Alex Williams, Denny’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, “As a company whose mission is to feed people, mind, body and soul, we find inspiration in the servant leader model Dr. King represented through his civil rights work. Participating in the Day of Service as volunteers and with Denny’s Mobile Relief Diner is one meaningful way we prioritize giving back to the Spartanburg community. I’m grateful for the relationship we have with United Way and the city that allows us to do work in the community that aligns with how we strive to treat our guests every day.” Mitch Kennedy, Deputy City Manager with the City of Spartanburg, shared of Dr. T.K. Gregg’s legacy in Spartanburg and spoke of his commitment to the health and safety of his fellow community members. Chunsta Miller, Chair for the UWP African American Leadership Society, highlighted the importance of volunteering and how it bridges a gap, thus contributing to Dr. King’s vision of a Beloved Community. She encouraged everyone in attendance to “go forth and do some good.” Following the breakfast, volunteers from all walks of life spread throughout the city and county of Spartanburg to work with non-profit organizations providing a wide range of services. From “period packing parties” to trail cleanup in Duncan Park to organizing spaces, community members went to work helping provide for those in need by assisting 18 individual organizations. Joseph Walker, manager of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore noted that, “Organizing this space just isn’t something we can do during normal business hours, but with the help of the volunteers today, we’ve made it nicer and much more efficient.” He further commented that, “it’s the attitude of those serving that makes all the difference,” and that same attitude spurs volunteers to take action – to make this day off work for many a “day on” to honor Dr. King’s legacy of service. As Dr. King said, “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”
By Amy Garvey 08 Jan, 2024
On Monday, January 15, 2024, people across Spartanburg County will join together to serve their community in celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the federal Day of Service named in his honor. MLK day celebrates the birthday of Dr. King by providing for a federal holiday that many people choose to make a “day on” rather than a day off from work. Once again, United Way is bringing our community opportunities to serve. A Day of Service kickoff complimentary community breakfast will be provided by Denny’s Mobile Relief Diner at Dr. TK Gregg Community Center, located at 650 Howard Street at 8 a.m. on Monday morning. From there, participants will move to their various volunteer sites to begin their service to our community. To learn more about the full Unity Week Celebration, visit the City of Spartanburg’s website here . Last year alone, nearly 300 area residents came together to provide over 1,000 hours of community service in honor of Dr. King. His vision of a truly Beloved Community, in which all people work as one to build bridges and create lasting change, becomes more of a reality when we all give our time and serve with our neighbors to transform Spartanburg. Service projects ranging from litter cleanup to “period packing parties” bring together people from all walks of life on the third Monday of January each year. This year, join United Way of the Piedmont and your neighbors in your choice of service projects listed here . However you choose to be a part, as Dr. King said, “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” Each and every effort makes a difference. Sign up today at https://www.uwpiedmont.org/mlkday !
By Amy Garvey 13 Dec, 2023
This fall, United Way of the Piedmont and our partners collaborated to ensure that greater food security becomes a reality for more local individuals and families. This year’s Fall Food Drive stands as a testament to our collective efforts to help meet our community’s most pressing needs. Companies and individuals were encouraged to participate in the annual Fall Food Drive virtually and in person with all items or complete boxes being distributed to The Bridge at Green Street and Total Ministries in Spartanburg. This year alone, $3,545.88 was donated through the Roonga virtual giving platform, providing for nearly 100 full boxes. Complete boxes donated by local businesses and individuals totaled 980, with an additional 543 loose items donated. The impact of this kind of giving will last for months to come, as the staff at the Bridge and Total Ministries will attest. More than 1,000 full boxes of food will go a long way to helping ensure that our neighbors, who are often forced to make decisions whether to buy groceries or pay the bills, can have extra support during the months ahead. Also, in Union County, many meals will be provided to those in need. Donations from Union Medical Center and the Union Career Center were particularly impressive and helped push the total number of items donated to 2,383! In Cherokee County, with substantial donations from Cherokee Medical Center and Plygem, a total of 1,332 items will go to our neighbors there. Marissa Human, Director of Events and Projects at UWP notes that, “Thanks to the generous support of our workplace partners and wider community, many of our neighbors now have less stress and extra food this holiday season. We’re proud to help meet this immediate need so more families can thrive long-term“.
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