The Post and Courier Greenville

Immediate Release

Greenville, South Carolina
May 23, 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, families across the world where not able to visit their families and friends in person that resulted in a high rate of have isolation, depression, anxiety and loineness. Many people become disconnected from their family and friends, so Elder Source Ministries and Just Call Bill teamed together to develop a local program to help senior adults. Earlier this year, Elder Source Senior Ministries (501 c 3) received a grant to cover the costs of providing some a solution our seniors adults by connecting to their families and friends through technology.

Last week Stan Means (Elder Source Senior Ministries) and Bill Vicary (Just Call Bill) donated a Technology Center to The Phyllis Wheatly Center, Greenville, South Carolina. The Technology Center, consisting of a new 55” Smart TV, iPad, and mobile stand that will provide the senior adult program staff to help connect members with their family and friends, as well as be used in onsite programs through technology. They will be able to video chat through Zoom and Face Time to proactively engage with their loved ones. The Elder Source Senior Ministries free App is also included to provide hours of spiritual content, such as short devotions videos and hymns.“Ever since I talked with Stan and Bill about this project, our center has been looking forward to offer the ability to have our members see and talk to their families and friends and improve our programs. This is an amazing opportunity and will help our members and the community be actively engaged and to improve their quality of life,” Tiffany Boyd, Program Manager-Senior Adults, Phyllis Wheatly Center.

“Elder Source Senior Ministries has partnered with Just Call Bill and cover the cost and install the Technology Center. The Phyllis Wheatly Center is another great community resource for seniors to receive a technology center, and we are looking for other deserving communities and organizations to continue our vision to get seniors better connected through technology.” Stan Means, president, Elder Source Senior Ministries. This is the third Technology Center that has been donated by Elder Source Ministries and Just Call Bill.
About Phyllis Wheatly Community Center
Greenville, SC
The Phyillis Wheatly Community Center has been serving Greenville, SC more than 100 years as a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization. It is a true community center, serving as a hub for minority non-profits, providing space for governmental offices that bring needed services to residents, and collaborating with organizations across the Upstate to expose our children and adults to a variety of cultural and educational experiences
www.phylliswheatlysc.org
864.240.4242
Tiffany Boyd, Program Director

About Elder Source Senior Ministries
Greenville, SC
Elder Source is a Christian non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire seniors to live with purpose by honoring God in their latter years. We provide resources and an App that provides Christian content and inspirational materials.
www.eldersourceinfo.org
864.630.2952
Stan Means, President

About Just Call Bill
Greenville, SC
We provide technology services to senior adults and their families, so they can be better connected. Bill has worked with many seniors throughout the South Carolina teaching senior adults how to use their technology more confidently, effectively and safely, as well as other educational programs and services.
www.justcallbill.net
864.621.0224
Bill Vicary, Founder/President

Dr. Alex Kassalias has been confirmed as “Trauma Qualified”
by the Academy of Chiropractic
Dr. Alex Kassalias, a chiropractor located at 3 Webb Road, Greenville, South Carolina, has been confirmed as a “Trauma Qualified” Cleveland University Kansas City, with courses approved through the ACCGME in conjunction with the State University of New York at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Kassalias has undergone rigorous training related to spine and trauma and is now formally qualified to either diagnose or manage all spine cases.
According to Dr. Mark Studin, the clinical director, “Dr. Kassalias joins an elite group of chiropractors nationally that has completed an extensive program in triaging the injured, MRI spine interpretation, spinal orthopedics, early detection for stroke, spinal biomechanical engineering and accident reconstruction for motor vehicle accidents. This recognition, which represents a level of clinical training, certifies that Dr. Kassalias is the best of the best through clinical excellence, and I am proud to add him as our newest member.”
Dr. Studin continued “as research evolves, the current scientific literature verifies that chiropractic, when utilized as the first provider significantly reduces disability in the workplace, overall pain, prevents recurring injuries and improves function in almost every aspect of life. Equally important, the scientific literature concludes that when chiropractic is considered as a first option for spine care, the need and use of opiates decreases, which contributes to help eradicate the opiate crisis in our society.”
Dr. Kassalias reports that he has professional relationships and collaborates with a vast array of medical surgeons and physicians as part of the team that manages spine cases as clinically indicated. His curriculum vitae can be found that www.USChiropracticDirectory.com.

Charleston, SC – May 5, 2022 — SHRM (the Society for Human Resource Management) recently awarded South Carolina SHRM State Council its prestigious EXCEL Platinum Award for the South Carolina SHRM State Council’s accomplishments in 2021.

The EXCEL award is given to state councils and chapters to recognize major accomplishments, strategic activities, and tactical initiatives that elevate the profession of human resources.

“SHRM’s impact on the world of work is due to the dedication and efforts of our chapters and state councils like South Carolina SHRM State Council. “The Platinum EXCEL Award is not only a celebration of the great work done by the South Carolina SHRM State Council, it’s also recognition of their focus and determination to cause the effect to make great workplaces”, said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, president, and chief executive officer of SHRM. “Their HR leadership is exemplary.”
The EXCEL Award can be earned at four levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. Each level has a prescribed set of requirements and accomplishments that must be met. South Carolina SHRM State Council will receive recognition in SHRM publications and at conferences, a logo to display on its website, and information to share with its members about the significance of this award.

SC SHRM’s submission for 2021 highlighted several successful initiatives, including its commitment to increase dual Chapter/SHRM membership by encouraging SC SHRM State Conference attendees to join a chapter if they were not already a part of one. SC SHRM also partnered with Junior Achievement of the Carolinas for a virtual career fair including a virtual booth, videos of HR professionals telling their HR journey and live chat with SC SHRM State Council members to answer questions the attendees had. The Council held its leadership conference virtually in 2021, its goal to educate Chapter leaders about SHRM, SC SHRM, their roles, and how to run a successful local SHRM chapter.

“We have the absolute best HR professionals in South Carolina serving in leadership positions on the SC SHRM State Council and as chapter presidents who serve on the council during their presidency. I couldn’t be prouder to receive the Platinum Excel Award for a 2nd year in a row,” said SC SHRM State Director, Teresa Vaughn, SHRM-SCP, VP of Human Resources for Johnson & Johnson, Inc. headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, SC. “It is a true honor to receive this recognition from SHRM and we look forward to celebrating these exceptional accomplishments at our annual state conference in Myrtle Beach in September”.

For more information about South Carolina SHRM State Council visit https://sc.shrm.org/

Media: For more information, contact Edward Burke, at Edward.Burke@shrm.org or 703-535-6036.

About South Carolina SHRM State Council
South Carolina SHRM State Council is the state affiliate for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). SC SHRM facilitates services and programs for the collective interest of the state’s SHRM and local chapter membership and promotes activities that serve and advance the human resources profession. Its primary objective is to support the mission and initiatives of SHRM through education. South Carolina SHRM State Council is a 100 percent volunteer organization consisting of 14 SHRM-affiliated chapters across the state. For more information, go to sc.shrm.org, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

About SHRM
SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. As the voice of all things work, workers and the workplace, SHRM is the foremost expert, convener and thought leader on issues impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With 300,000+ HR and business executive members in 165 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 115 million workers and families globally. Learn more at SHRM.org and on Twitter @SHRM.

GREENVILLE, S.C., May 10, 2022 – The William Pender Team of CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM), one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing retail mortgage lenders, has added seasoned loan officer Jonathan Brinker to its growing branch.

Brinker joins the William Pender Team with 18 years of experience as a mortgage professional in South and North Carolina. Brinker previously served as a mortgage loan officer with Regions Bank and Wells Fargo, among other lenders. He also previously worked in real estate sales with Lennar Homes in Dallas, Texas.

Brinker is a graduate of the University of Phoenix and member of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers. He is licensed in South Carolina and North Carolina.

The William Pender Team of CCM is located at 9 Washington Park in downtown Greenville and serves borrowers in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. For more information or to contact the branch, visit www.crosscountrymortgage.com/William-Pender-Team/ or call 864-233-4210.

About CrossCountry Mortgage:
CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM) is one of the nation’s largest retail mortgage lenders, with more than 8,000 employees operating more than 600 branches across all 50 states. Our company has been recognized eight times on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest growing private businesses and has received many awards for our standout culture. We offer more than 100 mortgage, refinance and home equity solutions – ranging from conventional and jumbo mortgages to government-insured programs for Veterans and rural homebuyers – and we are a direct lender and approved seller and servicer by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and Ginnie Mae. Through our dedication to getting it done, we make every mortgage feel like a win. Visit crosscountrymortgage.com.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (May 3, 2022) – YMCA of Greenville announced today that it has raised more than $1.25 million for its 2022 Annual Campaign. All the funds raised will go towards providing financial assistance so that anyone who wants to participate in the Y’s programs or services is able to, regardless of their ability to pay.

The $1.25 million will provide 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 the community thrive.

“We are thrilled that we were able to exceed our 2022 Annual Campaign goal,” said Laura Williams, YMCA of Greenville’s Annual Campaign chair. “The true success of raising more than $1.25 million is that it will have a significant impact on the health of our community and will positively change the lives of so many of our neighbors.”

“This year’s annual campaign theme is ‘We all need the Y’,” said Diana Watson, chief philanthropy officer, YMCA of Greenville. “Helping children and adults reach their potential is at the heart of what we do, and every year our volunteers and staff embody this with their dedication to this campaign. I am so grateful for their work, the financial support of each of our donors, and for the opportunity we have as an association to provide life-changing programs to the community.”

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

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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.

Thursday, April 28, at 7:00 pm, the newly opened Keipi Restaurant will host a media event, giving local food writers, bloggers and influencers the opportunity to experience firsthand the newest and most exciting dining event to hit Greenville. The Keipi, translated in Georgian, means “table.”The Keipi is a special tradition from the Republic of Georgia that takes experiential dining to new heights.
Imagine a long table filled with delicious food and wine, bustling with the conversation of friends, family, and strangers. This is the fusion of a dinner party and poetry. In Georgia, a Keipi usually goes through 16 toasting themes, led by the toastmaster, or Tamada. He will be your guide. There’s only one rule you cannot break: toast five must honor “the departed”. In Georgia you can’t actually have a Keipi without making it to at least toast five. Come prepared to laugh, cry, make new friends, and share an evening of communion in a way you’ve never experienced before!
There is no cost to attend this event (an $80 per/person value), but we do ask for press credentials and reservations, as space is limited. Contact beth@keipirestaurant.org to secure your seat.
Keipi belongs to a non-profit organization called First Things Foundation. First Things sends adventurous folks to remote places in the world for two-year stints. We live as the locals live and then give momentum to the businesses and projects of the friends we meet.
As it turns out, there’s a lot to learn from these Old World places. The Republic of Georgia, one of the countries where we work, has taught us much about community and sharing together in the beautiful things of life. This spirit, especially embodied in the Georgian toasting dinner of the Keipi, is what we hope to manifest. All available profits from Keipi go directly back to First Things Foundation to support our volunteers and the entrepreneurs we work with.

Greenville, SC — A new non-profit, Upstate Preservation Trust (UPT), is officially launching to the public with a series of events and initiatives focused on saving historic places in the Upstate. UPT was founded with the aim of saving and telling the stories of historic places through
education, advocacy, and stewardship. On March 29th at 6:00PM, UPT will kick off their education efforts with an event titled “A Virtual Introduction to the Gordon Street Mill Adaptive Reuse Project.” You can sign up here https://bit.ly/3KIsQzK.

UPT was founded by a group of concerned citizens who saw the rapid development taking place in the Upstate and identified the absence of an Upstate organization devoted solely to historic preservation. In 2019, this group convened and started the process of forming a nonprofit to strategically preserve important historic sites across the Upstate.

“Upstate Preservation Trust was born out of a need we saw for a strong preservation organization in the Upstate,” says Sam Hayes, Chairman of the UPT Board of Directors. “Our goal is to help coordinate existing efforts across the Upstate, while also filling in where there may be gaps. With the creation of this nonprofit, we are seeking to bring awareness to the major threat our historic spaces face throughout the Upstate.”

Founded to be a voice for preservation in communities across the Upstate, UPT serves as an advocate for the many preservation projects that need support. In partnership with local citizens, organizations, and governments, they work to advocate for preservation efforts to ensure our communities keep the important historic spaces that make them unique. UPT will release its 2022 Endangered Places list in April to highlight significant properties that are threatened in the Upstate.

UPT is actively working to establish a preservation easement program. This program will enable them to hold easements on historic structures which will ensure that they are preserved
in perpetuity.

For more information about Upstate Preservation Trust, visit www.preserveupstate.org. Follow Upstate Preservation Trust on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and events.