Category: Press Release

Rebuild Upstate raises more than $67,000 for home preservation at second annual silent auction event

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Rebuild Upstate, a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving safe and affordable housing for individuals and families in need, celebrated its wildly successful A Toast to Home event last week.

Guests of A Toast To Home enjoyed culinary delights from Larkin’s, all while networking with community members and local businesses who share a passion for affordable housing. Throughout the night, guests contributed toward Rebuild Upstate’s home repair program by bidding on silent auction items and making contributions. In total, the evening raised more than $67,000.

Rebuild Upstate CEO Jake Beaty states: “We are honored that so many community members care about the safety of their neighbors. Every ticket sold and every donation given at A Toast To Home will ensure another older adult or neighbor in need gets the repairs they need to feel safe again.”

More than 200 were in attendance at the celebratory occasion, held in Larkin’s Sawmill. The night was sponsored by: NAI Earle Furman, Founders Federal Credit Union, The Spinx Family Foundation, and United Bank.

Rebuild Upstate honored longtime community partner Tim Womack of the South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments (SCACOG) with the 2025 Community Champion Award. This award recognizes an outstanding community member who has gone above and beyond with their contributions to the Upstate.

Tim leads the Area Agency on Aging Department for SCACOG and has served since 2010. Rebuild Upstate has collaborated with Tim and SCACOG since 2013. This partnership is the organization’s longest contract grant relationship and enables home repairs for persons 60 years of age and older living on 200% or less of the Federal Poverty Guideline.

Say “Flower Power” and many people immediately flash back to 1960s-70s America and a focus on peace and love. But add in the efforts of a First Lady of the United States to effect environmental change in the same time period and the power of flowers grows into its own movement.

“Beautification: The Environmental Legacy of Lady Bird Johnson,” the newest exhibition opening Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Upcountry History Museum – Greenville County offers visitors a first-hand look at how Lady Bird Johnson helped reimagine the country’s highways and byways and used her own power as First Lady to pioneer the landmark Highway Beautification Act of 1965.

This original exhibition presents a comprehensive story of Mrs. Johnson’s life from childhood to marriage to life as wife of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th U.S. President, to her years in the White House and beyond. Visitors will be immersed in various aspects of her advocacy for environmental conservation and the wildflowers that brighten America’s landscapes.

With memorabilia and ephemera on loan from the LBJ Presidential Library & Museum and the Johnson daughters, this exhibition will showcase items from Mrs. Johnson’s many experiences along the way. Included are images from Whistle Stop campaign tours, gowns from White House galas, and mementos from beautification projects.

“Beautification: The Environmental Legacy of Lady Bird Johnson” was curated and produced by the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. It will be on exhibit at UHM from March 15 through September 7, 2025.

The Upcountry History Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is located at 540 Buncombe St., in Greenville, S.C. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.upcountryhistory.org .

Half a Sorrow Foundation Announces “It’s A Tough Subject Live!” Event

Greenville, SC, March 3, 2025—The Half a Sorrow Foundation, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and postvention support, is proud to announce “It’s A Tough Subject Live!” an inspiring event featuring real stories, hope, and conversations around mental health and suicide prevention. The event will take place on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 7:00-8:30 PM at Centre Stage, 501 River Street, Greenville, SC.
“It’s A Tough Subject Live!” will feature Half a Sorrow Foundation’s Founder and Executive Director, Dennis Gillan, along with special guests who will share their personal journeys and experiences related to mental health and suicide. This powerful evening aims to foster open discussions, reduce stigma, and promote understanding and support within the community.
“We are thrilled to host ‘It’s A Tough Subject Live!’ and bring together individuals from all walks of life to engage in meaningful conversations about mental health and suicide prevention,” said Dennis Gillan. “By sharing our stories and experiences, we hope to inspire others, provide hope, and encourage people to seek help when needed.”
Attendees can secure their seats for this impactful event with a $15 donation, which will support the Half a Sorrow Foundation’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness, provide resources, and offer guidance to those affected by mental health issues and suicide.
The Half a Sorrow Foundation has been instrumental in providing compassionate outreach and advocacy to schools, workplaces, organizations, and communities. Through initiatives like “It’s A Tough Subject Live!” the foundation continues to address the critical need for awareness and support in combating the heartbreaking suicide epidemic.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Time: 7:00-8:30 PM
Location: Centre Stage, 501 River Street, Greenville, SC
Donation: $15 to secure your se

Carolina Handling has launched the Carolina Handling Service App, a quick response tool designed to streamline requests for service and minimize downtime.
Developed using “first-call fix” technology, the new app uses imaging, geo-tagging, auto-messaging and QR encryption that provides technicians with immediate information about a needed repair. It also offers customers real-time updates about the status of their service calls.
A quick scan of a QR code affixed to equipment and the ability to upload an image of the issue or affected part reduces the time on site for diagnostics, according to James Sanders, Carolina Handling Director of North Operations.
“The Carolina Handling Service App gives our technicians the ability to troubleshoot, and order needed parts before they arrive at a customer’s facility, which results in a faster turnaround on repairs and less downtime,” Sanders explained.
Once a QR code is scanned, auto-messaging technology sends an alert directly to a Carolina Handling technician. QR codes also are linked to back-end data showing the maintenance and repair history of equipment.
The Carolina Handling Service App has been in use on 3,000 pieces of equipment for the past several months.
“The new app was extremely well received during the testing phase,” Sanders said. “Our goal as we roll this out to all of our customers is a 60 percent increase in first-call fixes and a service completion rate that is six times faster.”
For more information on the Carolina Handling Service App, visit carolinahandling.com/information/serviceapp.

ABOUT CAROLINA HANDLING
Founded in 1966, Carolina Handling is one of the Southeast’s leading integrated material handling solutions providers and the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone. The company provides forklifts and automation solutions for manufacturers, warehouses and distribution centers, along with parts, racking, st

GREENVILLE, SC (March 3, 2025) Women’s History Month, celebrated annually throughout the month of March since 1987 (officially), is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society. Endeavor Workspaces is honored to have so many unique, dedicated, and special women call Endeavor their work home. Today, and every day, we celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of each woman in our community.

Ashley Brown is the Director of Business Development at national recruitment firm ExecuSource’s Greenville office. She’s the go-to person for employers looking to hire talent and jobseekers looking for gainful employment. She and the ExecuSource team share an office at Endeavor that suits their nine-person team. “Never let your career overshadow the moments that truly matter. The greatest success is finding harmony between ambition and happiness,” says Brown.

Stephanie Rainey is the Managing Attorney and Owner of Stephanie A. Rainey, LLC. Her practice focuses on government contract law and diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting. She started with a Daytime membership at Endeavor and upgraded to a Dedicated Desk in 2024. “No one is an island. Good friends are valuable in our professional and personal life. Find friends who look out for your mental health and success,” says Rainey.

Courtney Rambo is the South Carolina State Director for Best Buddies International. She has a Daytime membership at Endeavor that she uses for in-person meetings with her team, client one-on-ones, and a quiet space to work. “Understanding that “no” is both a response I may receive and one I have the right to give has helped me stay focused on what matters,” shares Rambo.

Andrea Koppelmann is the Director of Client Relations at financial solutions consultancy LPL Financial. She has a Dedicated Desk at Endeavor. Fun fact: Andrea’s husband and business partner Mark also has a Dedicated Desk, but on the opposite side of Endeavor’s 20,000-square-foot space. “Life doesn’t just happen to you. You are not a bystander. Visualize how you want to live your life and then take action to make it a reality,” says Koppelmann.

Liz McCoy is a Professional Search Consultant at ExecuSource’s Greenville office. Newer to the team, but not to recruiting, Liz is a great resource for individuals looking for meaningful work and professional advancement. She, like Ashley, works in an office at Endeavor. “Take pride in the work you do, for it’s not just the task that matters, but the energy you bring to it,” says McCoy.

Endeavor celebrates these women and they many others who enrich the fabric of the Endeavor’s vibrant and dynamic community. Endeavor is proud to know them, learn from them, watch them grow, and celebrate them during National Women’s Month.

###

About Endeavor

Endeavor is a membership-based coworking community for creative and entrepreneurial professionals, as well as corporate teams and business travelers. Endeavor’s premium location in the ONE Development in Greenville, SC provides members with state-of-the-art work and meeting space, and uniquely, surrounds them with a diverse array of peers who offer a broad range of services and experience. Training opportunities, networking events and business consulting are available for the professionals who call Endeavor home every day, as well as business team members across the region. Endeavor has been recognized as the winner of the Coworker Member’s Choice Award for Greenville, SC and GVLtoday’s Best Coworking Space in Greenville. For more information, visit endeavorgreenville.com.

Closing reception for Daily Bread features roundtable discussion with artist, local scholars, and advocates on systemic challenges of food insecurity and the impact of consumer capitalism on local communities.

GREENVILLE, S.C.—The Furman University Department of Art and the Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities will host a panel discussion on food insecurity in Greenville County as part of the closing reception for Daily Bread, an exhibition by 2025 True Inspiration Artist-in-Residence Derek Reese. The event will take place on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Thomas Anderson Roe Art Building on Furman’s campus, beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by the panel discussion at 6:30 p.m.

This engaging discussion will feature Derek Reese, interdisciplinary artist and Furman’s True Inspiration Artist-in-Residence; Bruce Adams, Furman Farm Manager; Susan Frantz, Food Security Director at LiveWell Greenville; and Professor Kelsey Hample, Chair of Poverty Studies and Associate Professor of Economics at Furman University. The panel will be moderated by Mike Winiski, Director of the Center for Applied Sustainability Research at the Shi Institute.

Reese’s Daily Bread exhibition, on view until March 28 at the Thompson Art Gallery, explores food insecurity and the impact of consumer capitalism on low-income communities. Rooted in Reese’s personal experiences with poverty and food insecurity, the exhibition explores the broader impact of consumer capitalism on access to nutritious food, inviting viewers to reflect on the systemic forces shaping food deserts. The panel discussion will expand on these themes, addressing the systemic causes of food insecurity, local efforts to combat it, and the intersections of art, advocacy, and policy.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit furman.edu/news/events or contact Stephen Mandravelis stephen.mandravelis@furman.edu.

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Flexible Payments, dedicated support services and positive credit reporting are the essentials to helping people break the cycle of poverty, according to a new report from Affordable Upstate and NOAH Property Management (NOAH), which manages about 1,500 units of unsubsidized affordable housing.

The Advancing Economic Mobility and Empowering Communities Resident Impact Report is the culmination of the two organizations’ efforts to better understand the needs of people in workforce housing, said Mario Brown, CEO of Affordable Upstate.

“By reducing upfront costs with deposit alternatives, providing flexible rent payment options through FlexPay, and reporting timely payments to boost tenants’ credit histories, NOAH Property Management not only promotes financial responsibility but also enhances tenant satisfaction and economic mobility creating a sustainable model for housing equity and economic empowerment,” Brown said.

Key report findings include:

Lower Eviction Rates with FlexPay: Residents enrolled in Flex Pay benefit from flexible rent scheduling, reducing financial strain and improving rental payment adherence. The results are compelling: FlexPay Participants saw an 8.3% average eviction rate, while non-FlexPay Tenants were at a 13% average eviction rate. That means FlexPay reduces eviction rates by approximately 36% and therefore fosters housing stability. 

Credit Advancement through Rent Reporting: Positive payment reporting enhances residents’ credit visibility and improves their financial standing with 35 Residents became “credit visible” for the first time via rent reporting. The average increase in credit scores among residents was +25 points in 2024. For residents with long-term (2023 & 2024) enrollment, improvements averaged +44 points, helping them qualify for better opportunities like vehicle financing or mortgages. A notable 9% of residents transitioned from subprime to prime credit status, reducing their cost of borrowing.

The Meyer Center for Special Children believes every child deserves the opportunity to reach their maximum potential and thrive in their communities. To support that mission, the Jeni Kleckley Cain Scholarship Fund was established to provide critical financial assistance to students under the age of 3, allowing all students access so that no child is ever turned away.
Early intervention is essential in closing developmental gaps and helping children with disabilities progress alongside their same-age peers. With access to the Meyer Center’s education and specialized therapy programs, these children build the foundational skills they need to thrive in school and beyond.
Jeni Kleckley Cain, owner of Monkee’s of the West End, was first introduced to the Meyer Center in 2007 during a Wofford College internship. That experience left a lasting impact, inspiring her to become a passionate advocate for the Center’s mission. Over the years, she has served as Board President and remains one of the organization’s biggest supporters.
“In every child, there is unlimited potential just waiting to be unlocked,” Cain said. “The Meyer Center is where passion meets potential, and I am beyond honored to play a role in making early intervention possible for children who need it most.”
In honor of Cain’s 40th birthday this year, the Meyer Center has launched a campaign to raise $40,000 to support one student through the scholarship, which is the cost per year for one student to attend.
Meet Sofia Williams, the first scholarship recipient
Sofia Williams suffered a stroke in the womb, leading to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. The left side of her brain has not made neurological connections, causing challenges with movement on the right side of her body. She began receiving occupational, physical and speech therapy at an early age to help develop these connections.

Williams was placed on the Meyer Center’s waiting list in April 2024 after not receiving a spot in the March 2024 lottery. Wi

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The award-winning Lucy and the Lake Monster will be making its official South Carolina premiere later this month at the Reedy Reels’ film festival.

However, hundreds of Greenville County Schools students may already know parts of the story.

Lucy and the Lake Monster tells the tale of an eight-year-old orphan named Lucy, and her grandfather as they search for a sea serpent in Lake Champlain – one of the largest national lakes in the country and located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains of New York. They battle bullies, naysayers, and mercenary forces seeking to exploit them. Their journey is an allegory for humanity’s search for spirituality and carries a strong anti-bullying message.

It is based on the book of the same title that was written by Kelly Tabor Cromer, a retired Greenville County Schools teacher, and Richard Rossi, a filmmaker whose works include the award-winning Canaan Land and Baseball’s Last Hero: 21 Clemente Stories that starred Olympian Jamie Nieto and Project Runway winner Marilinda Rivera, and was published in 2022.

While a rough cut of the film was shown in Greenville a year ago, the debut at Reedy Reels: The Greenville Film Festival marks its official debut. It will be shown on Saturday, March 29, during the 9:30 a.m. block.

“We are excited to be showing Lucy and the Lake Monster as a special full-length family-oriented movie,” said Ken Seay, one of the founders of the film festival. “We have highlighted many local directors and actors in the festival, but this is the first time we are showing a film based on the work of a Greenville-based author.”

Lucy and the Lake Monster has earned numerous accolades including: Best Family Film from the World Film Festival in Cannes, the Audience Choice Award at the Great Lakes Christian Film Festival, Award of Recognition at the Accolade Competition, and Best Film at the Christian Film Festival-Menchville Baptist Church.

For Immediate Release

From February 28 to March 2, 2025, Dr. Luke Henry visited Columbus, Ohio, to lead a 12-hour seminar for chiropractic physicians focused on Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression. The seminar, accredited for continuing education by the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards, drew participants from Ohio, Tennessee, and Indiana. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is an innovative, non-invasive technique that leverages computer-controlled spinal distraction to treat conditions such as bulging or herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, facet syndrome, and neck or back pain. During the seminar, Dr. Henry covered topics including the evolution of spinal traction and decompression, indications and contraindications, diagnostic and treatment approaches, complementary physiotherapy, nutritional guidance, exercise recommendations, comparisons with other treatment options, research insights, case studies, risk management strategies, and care considerations for personal injury patients. Dr. Henry extends his gratitude to the attendees, as well as to his sponsors, Fetterman Events—a top provider of chiropractic continuing education—and Cutting Edge Lasers. Based at Henry Chiropractic Clinic on 1314 Pelham Road in Greenville, South Carolina, Dr. Henry lectures across the country and currently holds a position as the 4th Congressional District representative on the South Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Dr. Henry is an active member of the South Carolina Chiropractic Association.