Category: Press Release

To support children’s literacy, the Wash, Rinse, and Read team, a community action team of the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leaders Initiative, is opening a family friendly reading corner at LaundryPlus in Greenville. A public launch event to celebrate the project will be held 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, March 14, at 677 Howell Road.

During the launch event, families will be able to do three free laundry cycles and children will receive gift bags that include free books.

The “Read, Play, Learn Space” is outfitted with lounge furnishings and 50 new and culturally affirming books, meant to create a welcoming atmosphere where families can relax and learn while spending their time at the laundromat. Because the program’s planners expect and encourage families to take the books home to support continued learning, they have made provisions to replenish the books on a monthly basis.

The Greenville space to be launched on March 14 is the first “Read, Play, Learn” space in South Carolina and was made possible through the collaborative efforts of, Furman University’s Riley Institute, Laundry Cares Foundation along with Too Small to Fail, LaundryPlus, First Steps of Greenville County Michelin, Pelham Medical Center, South Carolina Ports Authority, and Public Education Partners.

In addition to creating a project to directly support children’s literacy in Greenville, one of the Wash, Rinse and Read team’s top priorities was to create a program that could be brought to other communities across the state. To facilitate this possibility, the team also developed a business plan playbook to help others who would like to create similar programs in their neighborhoods.

“The LaundryPlus team is eager and excited to host the “Read, Play, Learn Space” in our laundromat. We’re very lucky to get to know our patrons from the community, and this project is a great step in making each one of them know that they and their families are supported by their neighbors,” said owner Sunitkumar Vashi.

Dan Naumann, Executive Vice President of Laundry Cares Foundation also appreciates the new partnership.

“We are both honored and thrilled to partner with the team from the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leaders Initiative for the first of its kind partnership in South Carolina and in the United States. This innovative collaboration allows us to bring critical early learning materials to children who need them most and to support families throughout the Greenville community. This is a model other communities can easily replicate to help amplify the commitment to driving successful family engagement in communities,” Naumann said.

Riley Institute DLI community action team members for the Wash, Rinse and Read project include Will Angelich (South Carolina Ports Authority), Barbara Chappell (Butler Academy), Julie Lonon (The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina), Chuck Morrow (Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System), Qena Jennings (Public Education Partners), Jennifer Olmert (Upstate Mediation Center), Kate Kaufman (Michelin), and John Thomas (Self Regional Healthcare).

Laundry Cares is a nonprofit whose mission is to enrich communities around the country through programming that addresses the unmet needs of laundry customers.

The Riley Institute’s Diversity Leaders Initiative is an award-winning program that equips leaders from all sectors of South Carolina society with tools and perspectives to leverage diversity to improve organizational outcomes and drive social and economic progress in the state.

Liberty Fellowship is accepting new nominations for its 17th Class of Fellows. The online nomination form is available at libertyfellowshipsc.org/nominate through July 1.

“We are excited to kick off the selection process for the Class of 2025,” said Ann Marie Stieritz, president and CEO of Liberty Fellowship. “We look forward to receiving nominations from across South Carolina and welcoming this next cohort to our dynamic network of leaders.”

NOMINATION CRITERIA

Though leaders cannot self-nominate, nominations can come from anyone who knows the individual well. Nominees must:
1. Be a South Carolina resident.
2. Be between the ages of 30 and 47.
3. Be Intellectually curious and open to ideas.
4. Be an accomplished leader with a history of significant community engagement.
5. Be at an “inflection point,” willing to reflect deeply on their leadership role in society.
6. Be willing to challenge existing normative behaviors with actionable ideas to create positive change.
7. Have a breadth of experience and level of maturity that will enable them to contribute effectively to the seminar experience by listening to and learning from their peers.
Liberty Fellowship expects and encourages Fellows to challenge one another’s ideas respectfully in conjunction with its commitment toward engaging a multitude of perspectives. However, the Fellowship will not accept nominees who express hate or intolerance toward others based on their particular ideas or identities.

For more information about the nomination and selection process, visit libertyfellowshipsc.org/nominate.

INITIAL REQUIREMENTS

If selected for a Liberty Fellowship Class, the nominee must complete two requirements to become a Fellow: a series of five seminars and an individual impact venture.

The seminar series includes five, multi-day seminars over 18 months with a Class of 18 to 21 individuals. Four of the seminars are in South Carolina, and one seminar is in the United States or abroad. Participants explore readings by some of the world’s greatest thinkers — from classical Greeks to modern business leaders. Moderators certified by the Aspen Institute facilitate each seminar toward confidential, candid, and animated discourse. They reflect on decisions, values, and hopes. They explore one another’s perspectives and worldviews, and they emerge with strengthened personal and professional leadership.
The individual impact venture is identified during the 18-month seminar series and is underway by the completion of the last seminar. Each individual begins the venture with support from the Fellowship network and Mentors.

ONGOING COMMITMENT

Upon successful completion of the two requirements, Liberty Fellows join the statewide network of 330 leaders working individually and collectively to confront some of the most difficult challenges in South Carolina. Liberty Fellows also become members of the Aspen Global Leadership Network – a community of 3,000 entrepreneurial leaders in 60 countries from business, government, and the nonprofit sector.
“The initial 18-month experience is just the beginning,” said Stieritz. “Liberty Fellowship and the Aspen Global Leadership Network provide ongoing opportunities for Fellows to connect, engage, and work together.”

ABOUT LIBERTY FELLOWSHIP

Liberty Fellowship is the only statewide program and network of its kind in the United States. The Fellowship activates individual leaders through a deeper understanding of a just, free and equitable society; serves as a convener for bringing together diverse perspectives to advance civil discourse; and provides infrastructure for taking action. Liberty Fellowship is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian, nondogmatic organization which operates independently of the views and positions of its funders. Learn more at libertyfellowshipsc.org.

YMCA of Greenville announces 2023 Annual Campaign goal, continuing its impact in the community

GREENVILLE, S.C. (March 6, 2023) – YMCA of Greenville today announced its 2023 Annual Campaign goal of $1.33 million to help improve the lives of thousands of people across Greenville County through financial assistance for programs and services, creating a lasting impact in the Y’s focus areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The funds raised stay within the YMCA of Greenville Association so that anyone who wants to participate in the Y’s programs and services is able to, regardless of their ability to pay. This includes providing children, adults, and families scholarships for wellness memberships, youth sports programs, swim lessons, the SC Youth in Government program, afterschool care and summer day camps, as well as funding the Y’s food delivery programs for those experiencing food insecurity across Greenville County.

Over the past 13 years, the YMCA of Greenville has raised more than $12 million for the annual campaign, putting those funds back into helping people thrive.

“The true success of what we raise will be seeing the effect on the health of our community and how it will positively change the lives of so many of our neighbors,” says Melanie Sudduth, YMCA of Greenville’s Annual Campaign chair. “We look forward to seeing the impact we can make this year.”

“This year’s annual campaign theme is ‘This is Y,’” says Diana Watson, chief philanthropy officer, YMCA of Greenville. “The YMCA of Greenville’s cause is to strengthen our community, to reach more people, and to help all of our neighbors flourish. Helping children and adults reach their potential is at the heart of what we do, and every year I am so grateful for the dedication that our staff, volunteers, and donors show to this campaign. Together, we are able to provide life-changing programs to our community.”

To give to the YMCA of Greenville’s Annual Campaign and learn more about the programs it supports, visit https://www.ymcagreenville.org/give or text GIVING to 71777.

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About the YMCA of Greenville, SC

The YMCA of Greenville is a cause-driven non-profit organization. Our mission is, following the example of Christ, to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves the health and well-being of our community and provides opportunities to give back and help support our neighbors. Founded in 1876, the Y serves more than 70,000 people annually through programs that include afterschool care, resident and day camps, aquatics, youth and adult sports, and health and wellness. Programs are offered through four family branches, as well as the Verdae YMCA, Y Camp Greenville, YMCA Judson Community Center, the YMCA Program Center and Hollingsworth Outdoor Center. The Y is also home to Y Teen Services and the SC Youth in Government programs.

For more information about the YMCA of Greenville, visit ymcagreenville.org, or call (864) 412-0288.

The Center for Developmental Services (CDS) was highlighted in the New England Journal of Medicine as a successful example of how to best serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

CDS was created so families of children with IDD have access to a variety of services in one location and to better coordinate care. The unique partnerships and collaborative approach at CDS provide more comprehensive and effective care for children with IDD, which ultimately makes life easier for their families.

The Center for Developmental Services is honored to be highlighted in such a renowned international medical journal and to be part of the message that coordinated care is the best approach to health care for patients with IDD.

Jonathan Gleason, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer of Prisma Health in Greenville, South Carolina, wrote the paper “Health Care Falls Short for Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities” published in the January volume of the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst | Innovations in Care Delivery, a journal read by medical professionals around the world.

The report includes several important findings, including that “patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face a myriad of health challenges, including poor outcomes, insufficient services, and a fragmented health care system that often lacks an understanding of their unique needs.” CDS’ innovative model of collaborative and coordinated care helps to address these challenges.

Desmond Kelly, MD, a practicing pediatrician and Chief Medical Research Officer at Prisma Health, contributed to the article, saying that “many families and guardians of patients with IDD look to community-based partnerships for help.”

Dr. Kelly has been an integral part of the leadership at CDS as the Medical Director of the Wonder Center, the only day care in the Upstate for children with medically complex needs. The NEJM article included his perspective in this excerpt:

Kelly mentions that the partnership between Prisma Health Children’s Hospital and the Center for Developmental Services (CDS) is a successful example of how these collaborations can work. CDS has five co-located agencies that provide multidisciplinary services for children with IDD (clinical services, education, outreach, legal aid, case management, and day care), while Prisma provides developmental pediatrics, pediatric developmental therapies (speech, physical therapy, occupational therapy), orthotics, and day care for children through age six.

“It’s tough for any patient to receive care in different settings and work with multiple providers, and that’s just exponentially multiplied in patients with IDD,” said Kelly. “Plus, a key benefit of using a shared facility is that families spend less time travelling to multiple treatment locations and find it easier to maintain their employment and other facets of daily life.”

At CDS, prosthetists and orthotists can work directly with physical therapists to ensure a child’s prosthetics and orthotics fit and function correctly. Families can bring several children to receive services all in one afternoon. Therapists can refer families to other providers in the building to ensure patients receive the most appropriate care for their needs. Medically complex children who attend the Prisma Health Children’s Hospital Wonder Center Day Care can receive therapy services during the day while their parents are at work, giving families more time to just be families.

These are just a few examples of how the multidisciplinary approach at CDS supports individuals with IDD and their families. CDS and our partners serve our community with the highest quality coordinated care, and we look forward to continuing to serve children and individuals with developmental delays and disabilities and their families.

About CDS
CDS is the largest multidisciplinary treatment facility in the Upstate for children with disabilities and developmental delays. In one location, children receive services in therapy, diagnosis, psychology, audiology, day care needs for the medically complex, early intervention, case management, and a family support network. The partnership is comprised of the Center for Developmental Services; Clarity; KidVentures of Thrive Upstate; and four programs of Prisma Health – Upstate: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics/Pediatric Psychology, Kidnetics, The Wonder Center, and Prosthetics and Orthotics. CDS and its partners serve over 8,000 children and their families each year on property donated by the First Presbyterian Church at 29 North Academy Street in Greenville, SC. For more information about CDS and its partners, visit www.cdservices.org.

Greenville, South Carolina, February 28, 2023— Red Oak Developers, a leading multi-purpose developer in South and North Carolina, has hired Cathy Miller as Project Coordinator. Miller will be working with the land development and entitlement teams, as well as overseeing the financial processes.
“We are thrilled to welcome Cathy to the team as Red Oak Developers’ continued growth is only possible because of our people, clients, and investors. Cathy brings a wealth of experience in operations and will only enhance our deliverables to our growing partners”, said Owner, Brad Skelton.
Originally from Ontario, Canada, Miller has called South Carolina home for nearly 20 years and proudly became a United States citizen this past November. She is no stranger to operations and management as she served as Director of Operations for the BMW Charity Pro-Am for 13 years before transitioning to the Carolinas Chapter CMAA (Club Management Association of America) as Member Services Manager for 5 years. As Project Coordinator for Red Oak Developers, Cathy Miller will be assisting in the management of a variety of land development projects from residential to commercial.

About Red Oak Developers
Red Oak Developers is a full-service developer with a mission to design and create residential communities and commercial developments that promote a healthy lifestyle and the preservation of the natural environment. A veteran-owned company, Red Oak Developers achieves goals by combining vast experience with a long-standing network of professional relationships. With a full-service approach, Red Oak Developers can rapidly move a project from site selection to acquisition/entitlement and project management/construction to delivered product.
For more information, visit https://www.redoakdevelopers.com/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 27, 2023

Contact: Jamie Godfrey (864) 400-3061

jgodfrey@hincapiesports.com

Hincapie Sportswear Warehouse Sale is back for 2023!

Greenville, South Carolina – Locally owned business, Hincapie Sportswear, will be putting on their famous Warehouse Sale on March 11, 2023 at their Downtown Greenville location off Pete Hollis Boulevard.

We are very excited to put on our Warehouse Sale again this year after not having it the last few years. This is a great chance for anyone who enjoys riding bikes to get premium quality cycling gear at super discounted prices!

Hincapie Sportswear is located at 45 Pete Hollis Boulveard in Greenville, South Carolina and their Warehouse Sale will run from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM on Saturday, March 11th.

About Hincapie Sportswear

Hincapie Sportswear is owned and operated by Rich and George Hincapie. We craft cycling clothing and custom kits, and create experiences that bring riders together.

Hincapie Sportswear is among the many companies within the Hincapie brands, which also include Hincapie Events, Hincapie Custom, Hotel Domestique, Experience Domestique, and Restaurant 17.

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Carolina Handling has received a Mercury Excellence Award for The Patriotic Pallet Project, a record-setting event held at Greenville Downtown Aiport that created the world’s largest pallet painting.

The silver Mercury Award was given in the Special Project category and was awarded for The Patriotic Pallet Project video released on Veterans Day 2022. To date, the three-minute video has received more than 200,000 online views.

Held annually, the International Mercury Awards honor the best in public relations, public affairs and corporate communications. Presented by MerComm, Inc., the world’s only independent awards organization dedicated to defining the standards of excellence in the communications fields, the 2022-23 Mercury Awards received more than 400 entries from 14 countries. Only the top 30 percent scoring entries placed high enough to win a gold, silver or bronze award.

“The Patriotic Pallet Project was a passion project for Carolina Handling and our pallet partner, 48Forty Solutions, to honor and thank veterans employed by our organizations and in our service areas,” said Carolina Handling Director of Marketing Donna Waldrep. “To win what is considered to be the most prestigious prize in public relations makes the project even more special and brings added recognition to the service and sacrifice of our veterans and active-duty military.”

The Patriotic Pallet Project featured 2,500 wooden pallets painted 16 different colors and placed in a grid like pattern to reveal a 26,235-square-foot portrait of Lady Liberty. Five Carolina Handling associates, representing the five branches of the military in which they served, used Raymond lift trucks to deliver and form the colorful pallets into the awe-inspiring image. Pallet painting, stack building and four-hour assembly were captured in the behind-the-scenes video that received the Mercury Award. Go here to view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQUvzJkBBjw

ABOUT CAROLINA HANDLING
Founded in 1966, Carolina Handling is one of the Southeast’s leading material handling solution providers and the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone territory. The company provides lift trucks and automation solutions for warehouses and distribution centers, as well as parts, racking, storage, lighting and dock and door equipment.

Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Carolina Handling operates branch offices in Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL, Greensboro, NC, Raleigh, NC and Greenville SC, and an Equipment Distribution Center in Piedmont, SC. The company has more than 700 associates. For more information, visit www.carolinahandling.com.