The Post and Courier Greenville

On National Hire a Veteran Day on July 25, Carolina Handling will launch an online auction to raise funds for two veteran organizations, Folds of Honor and Upstate Warrior Solution, with the sale of a custom painted patriotic forklift.

The Raymond 7000-Series Single Reach Truck features large images of Old Glory and Lady Liberty, white stars along the mast and operator cabin, and red forks.

Painted by a Carolina Handling renewed shop technician, who also serves in the South Carolina National Guard, the colorful piece of material handling equipment was a photo op stop during the recent BMW Charity Pro-Am in Greenville, South Carolina, where the truck was on display outside the Carolina Handling Military & First Responders Skybox.

Ideal for high rack applications, the Raymond Reach Truck is forward stance with a collapsed height of 107″ and extended height of 241″. It weighs 7,757 lbs, can lift up to 3,500 lbs and has 35,609 key hours.

“Whether an inspirational workhorse for your warehouse or a novelty piece for your place of business, this patriotic reach truck is the perfect display of pride and patriotism,” said Carolina Handling President & CEO Brent Hillabrand. “The winning bidder also will support two nonprofit organizations doing incredible work for military veterans and their families.”

All auction proceeds will benefit Folds of Honor Palmetto State Chapter and Upstate Warrior Solution. Founded in 2007, Folds of Honor awards scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. Upstate Warrior Solution assists veterans and their family members with housing, employment, healthcare, education and family support.

The Carolina Handling Patriotic Reach Truck online auction will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 and conclude at 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 17, 2023, which is National Nonprofit Day. For more information and bidding, visit 32auctions.com/CarolinaHandling.

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 740 associates. For more information, visit carolinahandling.com.

Electric Soul—a Greenville-based production company—makes its fifth foray into TV and streaming content with the release of the new series Sibling Space Solvers.

The series was created in partnership with Lowe’s Home Improvement. The first episode is streaming now on the Lowe’s YouTube channel.

“This show was a particularly fun project as Lowe’s approached us to develop a show that—while being branded content at its core—was also entertaining and heart-felt” said Micah Taylor, owner of Electric Soul who also acted as the series’ director. “I am really grateful to the incredible producers at Lowe’s who collaborated with us and proud of what our team poured into this show to make it something that I think will really connect with people.”

Electric Soul’s previous TV and streaming projects include contributing to programming for Magnolia Network, Showtime, FIFA+, and most recently, for producing the documentary series “The Spark” on Very Local.

“Opportunities like these are most exciting because we get to bring television and large-scale commercial production to our hometown of Greenville,” said Taylor. “With each of these series, we are using local crews. Our goal is to provide sustainable production jobs in the Upstate by continuing to collaborate with national companies while providing local, top-tier crews capable of any level of production.”

Show hosts Elyse South and Philip LeRoy also hail from South Carolina. In addition to hosting duties, the brother-sister duo acted as designer and contractor for the renovation project.

“It was truly an incredible experience,” said Philip LeRoy. “Witnessing the positive impact our work had on the family reaffirmed the importance of what we do. It’s not just about creating beautiful spaces; it’s about making a difference and bringing joy to people’s lives.”

“This project is so special,” said host Elyse South. “Lowe’s is making it possible for Philip and I—alongside their team—to change lives one room at a time.”

“Elyse and Philip are top-notch talent,” said Emmy Gaddy, producer at Electric Soul. “Their experience, personalities, and on-screen chemistry made us immediately think of them when casting the show.”

About Electric Soul:
Electric Soul is a people-first production company developing unique video content by partnering with brands to concept, plan, and create innovative campaigns. Since their launch, Electric Soul has created content for numerous international brands including Coca-Cola, Marriott, GE, FIFA, and Hart Tools. They have also produced TV projects for Showtime, Magnolia, CNN, and Discovery.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Participating artists have been announced for the 13th Annual Indie Craft Parade, Greenville’s celebration of handmade art. This juried festival recognizes excellence in handcrafted goods and will feature the work of 118 artists during a two-day event this fall. Set for September 15-16, the 2023 Indie Craft Parade will be held at Timmons Arena on the campus of Furman University.

This year’s event will be the largest yet, featuring 47 new and 71 returning artists and makers. Admission is $8 at the door and children 16 and under are free.

Showcasing craftsmanship across a variety of mediums, Indie Craft Parade has become one of the premier craft shows in the South. Handmade goods from the following categories will be featured at the event: Apparel & Accessories, Bath, Body & Candles, Ceramics, Fine Art, Food & Kitchen, Home Goods & Decor, Jewelry, Kids, and Stationery. A full list of participating artists can be viewed at www.indiecraftparade.com.

In addition to standard artist booths, the event features an expanded Emerging Artist Section to highlight talent new to the craft show scene. Indie Craft Parade is an annual initiative of the Greenville-based non-profit, Makers Collective, whose mission is to empower creative entrepreneurs while cultivating a supportive community around them.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (June 17, 2023) – YMCA of Greenville announced today the promotion of leadership team members Sam Franklin, Barbie Jefferson, Diana Watson and MaryEllis Petrosian as they accept additional responsibilities in association strategic initiatives and broader staff and board leadership roles.

Sam Franklin is promoted to the position of executive vice-president and chief operating officer for the YMCA of Greenville. Franklin will continue to lead day-to-day operations at nine locations, focusing on membership and program service development. In his new capacity, Franklin will also serve as key facilitator and liaison with volunteer board members in the Y’s growth and strategic planning initiatives, as well as corporate partnership development.

Barbie Jefferson is promoted to the position of executive vice-president and chief financial officer. Jefferson will continue to oversee association financial performance matters, serving as the liaison to the board of directors’ finance committee, supporting YMCA of Greenville Foundation investment initiatives and human resources. Jefferson will also lead as the staff facilitator and liaison to the board of directors’ Christian mission committee, focusing on lifting the Y’s Christian mission, principles, and practices.

Diana Watson is promoted to the position of senior vice-president and chief philanthropy officer. Watson will continue to provide strategic leadership for the Y’s Annual Campaign, facilitate grant applications, major gifts, and capital campaign initiatives. Additionally, Watson will serve as staff liaison to the board of directors’ governance and recruitment committee, focusing on board member recruitment, board self-assessments and leading ongoing board training.

MaryEllis Petrosian is promoted to the position of executive director of foundation and fundraising innovation. Petrosian will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the YMCA of Greenville Foundation. Petrosian will also work with the chief philanthropy officer on donor research, grant development and general strategic advancement of the association’s development initiatives.

YMCA of Greenville offers professional growth opportunities to its high-achieving leadership. With a long-standing policy of promoting from within whenever possible, the organization will continue to benefit from the staff’s years of experience and knowledge, helping the YMCA of Greenville advance its mission and improve the overall impact the Y has on all communities it serves.

To learn more about the YMCA of Greenville and the projects, programs, and services it supports, visit https://www.ymcagreenville.org/.

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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 though 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.

[June 26, 2023] – Project Hope Foundation will join the Center for Developmental Services (CDS) as an on-site partner and ABA therapy provider at its downtown Greenville facility. CDS brings the expertise and value of multiple partners to one location, giving individuals with special needs direct access to many different services under one roof.

With eight campuses across the Upstate, serving clients from 12 counties, Project Hope Foundation is the largest ABA therapy provider in South Carolina. The need for autism services is greater than ever, with the diagnosis rate now 1 in 36. “Project Hope Foundation’s ABA therapy aligns perfectly with the collaborative services that many of our families need,” says CDS Executive Director Dana McConnell. “CDS is proud to add Project Hope to our list of partners, and showcase their brand alongside others in the building, as we continue to serve the thousands of people in our community who have developmental delays and disabilities.”

Located in downtown Greenville since 2000, CDS provides access to as many services as possible in one place to help families of children with developmental challenges from having to drive all over town to receive them. CDS and their partners offer developmental screenings, diagnosis, therapies, audiology, psychology, prosthetics, orthotics, education, bilingual services, legal aid, care planning, case management, and family support.

“Many of our friends on the spectrum receive other therapies in addition to ABA,” says Susan Sachs, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Project Hope Foundation. “Moving into the CDS space will give our therapists the chance to collaborate with other specialists to offer the best, most well-rounded care possible, while also reaching new families in need of autism services.”

Project Hope will move into the CDS building on North Academy Street in July and aims to start offering ABA therapy sometime in August. More information about both organizations is available online: Center for Developmental Services | Project Hope Foundation.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Project Hope Foundation: Amanda Harley amanda@pefectpitchprod.com
Center for Developmental Services: Blair Stephenson blair.stephenson@cdservices.org

GREENVILLE, SC (July 11, 2023) – Endeavor, the membership-based coworking and shared office space community for professionals in downtown Greenville’s ONE tower, announces it has hired Lena Barakat as communications coordinator.

In her role as Communications Coordinator, Barakat will help bring “the Endeavor experience” to life by overseeing the coworking space’s social media platforms and content marketing strategies. She will also monitor paid media campaigns, provide event support, and help coordinate public relations activities involving Endeavor and its members.

Barakat graduated from Clemson University in May 2023 as a Marketing major with a minor in Brand Communications. At Clemson, Barakat was highly involved in the Erwin Center for Brand Communications, was a Brand Strategist at Cadency, Clemson’s student-led agency, and was a participant in the AdPR Academy program for diversity and inclusion within the University of Georgia. Barakat gained professional experience at Chase Bank, Chick-fil-A, Prisma Health, and most recently, served as a media intern at Greenville marketing agency, FerebeeLane.

“Lena is a terrific fit to serve as Endeavor’s Communications Coordinator,” said Joe Erwin, founder and president of Endeavor. “It’s clear that she made the most of her time at Clemson, even receiving the Eugene and Valerie Getchell Scholarship for Advertising. Through her Erwin Center work and her internships, she has the experience, drive and passion to help bring Endeavor to life – both online, and as part of our team serving Endeavor’s members and visitors here at ONE City Plaza.”

To learn more about Endeavor, visit www.EndeavorGreenville.com.

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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. For more information, visit endeavorgreenville.com.

Greenville, SC (July 2023): The Center for Developmental Services (CDS) announces the promotion of three case managers to supervisor positions: Casandra Johnson, Cleonis Johnson and Shalanda Smith.

“These employees have developed great leadership skills over the years and their promotions are well deserved,” said Cindy Carter, Director of Family Programs. “Each supervisor brings extensive case management experience and long tenure to the field that will strengthen our service coordination to families.”

The new supervisors will transition immediately to help onboard and train new staff as the organization grows to serve more individuals with intellectual disabilities, related disabilities, and head and spinal cord injuries.

About CDS
CDS is the largest multi-disciplinary treatment facility in the Upstate for children with disabilities and developmental delays. In one location, children receive evaluation, diagnosis, therapy, psychology, audiology, day care needs for the medically fragile, early intervention, case management, and a family support network. The partnership is comprised of Clarity; Project Hope Foundation; Thrive Upstate; and four programs of Prisma Health: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, 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, SC – FUEL – a Greenville, S.C.-based strategic marketing and branding agency – announced today that it has selected South Carolina Children’s Theatre as the FUEL for Good Grant recipient for 2H 2023. Founded in 1987, SC Children’s Theatre is committed to empowering and inspiring a new generation of changemakers through theatre.

“We are thrilled to partner with FUEL as we seek to bring transformative theatre experiences to every young person and family in the Upstate of South Carolina,” said Katie O’Kelly, managing director of SC Children’s Theatre. “Greenville is fortunate to have companies like FUEL who prioritize the success of local non-profit organizations. This opportunity is pivotal for us to communicate the story of SCCT’s next chapter.”

FUEL created the FUEL for Good Grant program in 2020 as a tangible way to give back to its community and help local nonprofits. To date, FUEL has donated nearly 850 hours of service with work ranging from video production and logo development to social media campaigns and marketing collateral.

“Giving back to the community is an integral part of the FUEL culture, and the arts is a particular area of passion for our team,” said Meredith Kinsey, president and COO of FUEL. “SC Children’s Theatre is more than the exceptional productions they are known for. Outreach, education, and making Greenville a better place are a bigger part of their story, and we can’t wait to help share all of it.”

For more information about the SC Children’s Theatre, please visit scchildrenstheatre.org/. More information about the FUEL for Good Grant program is available at fuelforbrands.com/grant.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Katie Peden Phone: 864-551-2640 Email: KPeden@marchofdimes.org
Drs. John and India Chandler, 2023 March of Dimes Greenville Signature Chefs Auction Co-Chairs
[Greenville, SC, July 3, 2022] March of Dimes is pleased to announce Drs. John and India Chandler as 2023 Greenville Signature Chefs Auction Co-Chairs. The Annual Signature Chefs Auction will take place on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency gathering over 400 guests.
As the March of Dimes premier fundraiser, the Signature Chefs Auction celebrates the culinary excellence of top chefs across the Greenville community. The evening is a dynamic, interactive black-tie atmosphere highlighting 16 chefs tastings, exciting live and silent auctions and a compelling appeal to support the mission of the March of Dimes.
The Chandlers stated, “We are so honored and excited to serve as co-chairs for this year’s 32nd March of Dimes Signature Chef’s Auction. This foundation has impacted us on so many levels, both professionally and personally. As parents of premature twins who spent several weeks in the NICU, we experienced firsthand the immense support and incredible resources made available to us by the March of Dimes. As a pediatric surgeon and neonatologist, we have had the unique opportunity to witness the heart behind this organization and how it impacts our own patients’ lives and their families as well. Our experiences have only fueled our commitment to support the March of Dimes.”
Drs. John and India Chandler will play an integral role in raising awareness and funds to advance the scientific research and educational programs at the core of March of Dimes’ mission work. The Chandler’s leadership will support the March of Dimes market as they work fearlessly to feed the mission of motherhood and reach this year’s goal of $425,000.

About March of Dimes
March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs, and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on an 85-year successful legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support.

In addition to Presenting sponsor J. Marshall Dye Family Trust, sponsors of note include The Spinx Company, Francis Produce Company, Pepsi of Greenville, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, and Pediatrix.

To give a gift, purchase your table, or sponsor contact Katie Peden, Director of Donor Development, via phone 864-551-2640 or email KPeden@marchofdimes.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 2, 2023

(WASHINGTON, DC) More than 4,000 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution convened this week in the nation’s capital for the 132nd Continental Congress, the latest gathering of the longstanding service organization’s annual meeting. The week-long convention consisted of business sessions, committee meetings, and social functions, and was topped off with formal evening ceremonies at which national DAR award winners were honored. In attendance were Regent Loretta Mullé, delegate; Vice Regent Adrienne Hogan, delegate; Recording Secretary Melissa Franklin; Parliamentarian and State Chairman DAR schools Kristi Kingren, delegate; Historian Patti Enter; Librarian and State Vice Chair of Pages Julianna Crawford; Christian Paxton, and Sara Canada, members of the Behethland Butler Chapter located in Greenville, South Carolina.

At the Opening Night Ceremony, Jonna Mendez, former CIA Chief of Disguise and author, was honored with the DAR Patriot Award. The National Defense Night Ceremony, celebrating our nation’s military personnel and veterans, welcomed Lieutenant General Nina Armagno of the United States Space Force. Other national awards were presented during the week to outstanding individuals celebrating excellence in historic preservation, education and patriotism. While at Congress, Behethland Butler Chapter members attended the Units Overseas Luncheon and Bazaar, Celebrating Membership forum, News You Can Use – “Shooting Stars” from the office of Registrar General, Texas Tea, Michigan Welcome Brunch, Heritage Club breakfast, Patriotism Luncheon, and Congress Reception. Crawford served as a page and carried the South Carolina flag on Education Awards Night, and Mullé and Hogan served as South Carolina period room docents.

“As more than 4,000 dedicated DAR members gather in one place, their energy produces inspiration, creative breakthroughs and true camaraderie,” said Pamela Rouse Wright, President General. “We are grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the hard work and accomplishments of the past year. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation, DAR needs to continue to present itself as the patriotic service organization that we are. Continental Congress offers a way for Daughters to come together and sparkle as they celebrate our country’s unique and rich history at the national level and within their own communities.”

The DAR Continental Congress is a time-honored annual gathering that has been held in Washington, D.C. since the organization’s founding. National, state and chapter leaders as well as other members from across the country and around the world meet at the DAR National Headquarters to report on the year’s work, honor outstanding award recipients, plan future initiatives and reconnect with friends.

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The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.