Tag Archive for: 2019

City of Greenwood

Youth & Education Grants Awarded by GCCF, April 2019

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2019 Youth & Education Grants have been awarded to the following eight organizations serving Greenwood County:

City of Greenwood in support of a community mosquito education program

Community Initiatives for a Safe Haven reading specialist

Food Bank of Greenwood County for the Weekend Backpack Program

Goodwill Industries for CNA uniforms for participants in Job Connection training

Healthy Learners for staff and client transportation

The Homeless Period Project for feminine hygiene supplies for middle school girls in need

The Museum and Railroad Historical Center for summer camp scholarships

Wild Hare Productions in support of scholarships and expenses for a youth musical theatre summer intensive workshop and performances

GCCF is grateful to play a role in supporting this array of good work in our community!

GWC 2019 Grant Award Recipients! March 2019

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Greenwood Women Care (GWC) recently awarded grants totaling $47,625 in our first annual granting cycle! Eight local nonprofits serving residents of Greenwood County received awards ranging from $2500 to $10,000. Pictured are: (front row) Deborah Parks, Laura Stowe, Summer Booker, GWC Steering Committee members; Alison Fletcher, Mary Woodiwiss, Laura Bachinski, GWC Steering and Grants Committee members; Kathy Emily, Marilyn Murphy, Patricia Hartung, and Anne Craig, GWC Grants Committee members; (back row) Joanne Burkett, Greenwood Community Improvement Foundation-WLC; Lisa Lane, Project Hope Foundation; Kathryn Butler (Greenwood School District 50) and Claire Wieters, Beyond Abuse; Teresa Goodman, Community Initiatives; Alice Hodges, Meg’s House; Steve Coleman, MODELS Academy; Stephen Gilbert, Greenwood Community Theatre. (Not pictured: Connie Maxwell Children’s Home recipients) GWC Grants were awarded to: Beyond Abuse ~ mentoring program for 5th grade girls (through 6th grade) Community Initiatives ~ Safe Haven after school and summer programs Meg’s House ~ household supplies for 12 clients in Operation Impact program Greenwood Community Improvement Foundation ~ Leadership Scholars program for middle & high school girls Project Hope Foundation ~ training and supervision of ABA therapists serving children with autism MODELS Academy ~ program and conference costs for MODELS Academy for African-American males, grades 5-12 Greenwood Community Theatre ~ production costs, including outreach performances & The Penguin Project Connie Maxwell Children’s Home ~ furnishings for Family Care Program for single mothers and children Congratulations to our 2019 GWC Grants recipients! We are grateful for all your excellent efforts to improve the quality of our community life in Greenwood County!

GWC Annual Meeting, “Celebrating Our First Year!”, at Greenwood Genetic Center, March 26, 2019

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GWC members and guests met Tuesday, March 26 at the Greenwood Genetic Center to celebrate our first Annual Meeting.

Champagne, punch, appetizers, strawberry parfaits, and cookies representing our grant awards (specially crafted by Connie Carstens) were enjoyed by all!

Angelle LaBorde, Chair of the Programs & Education Committee, introduced Dawn Puderbaugh Hodges who gave an informative talk about the history and overview of the programs at the Greenwood Genetic Center, our hosting venue. Anne Hancock, Chair of the Governance & Finance Committee, presented the slate of GWC Officers and Steering Committee which was approved by the Members present. They are: Laura Bachinski and Mary Woodiwiss, Co-Chairs; Laura Stowe, Secretary; Lou Noel, Treasurer; Summer Booker, Kelly Buckshorn, Alison Fletcher, Anne Hancock, Angelle LaBorde, Megha Lal, Deborah Parks, Anna Welborn, and Trentsie Williams.

Mary Woodiwiss reviewed highlights of our first year, including the key activities of each committee. Mary noted our 2019 GWC Grant recipients, with awards totaling $47,625 (as previously announced to the Membership). We were excited to learn that the financial health of GWC going into our second year is extremely strong with balances as follows: Granting Fund $42,536, Endowment Fund $23,516, and Administration Budget $6,498.

Looking towards the future, Laura Bachinski discussed ways to support GWC through Gift Memberships as well as gifts made in memory or honor of an individual. She also spoke of the importance of strengthening the framework of GWC through our Standing Committees. Laura briefly discussed our annual calendar, social events, and made us aware that we could look forward to our November Meeting when we will hear from our grant recipients.

GWC Presentation at Together SC Summit, March 12, 2019

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GWC’s Grants Review & Awards Committee held a workshop entitled “Grant Writing 101” that was open to the community and welcomed 31 attendees. The workshop was developed by GWC Members Wendi Andrews, Sandra McMullen, and Kathy Emily, and included a panel of four local funders: Selynto Anderson (Self Regional Hospital Foundation), Marisel Losa, (United Way), Mamie Nicholson (Self Family Foundation) and Mary Woodiwiss (Greenwood County Community Foundation). Attendees learned about principles and practical steps for writing effective grant proposals to assist them in seeking funding through GWC grants or other sources.

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GWC Quarterly Meeting, “Time to Vote!”, at The Museum, February 25, 2019

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Greenwood Women Care enjoyed a record turnout for our first Quarterly Meeting of 2019 with more than 90 Members attending our inaugural granting assembly.  The Museum provided an excellent venue for our evening!

Our meeting began with an extended social time downstairs at The Museum where we were treated to delicious appetizers and chocolates along with numerous beverage options, arranged by the Social Committee. We moved to the upper gallery for the program, with content chosen by the Programs and Education Committee. Karen Jennings, Executive Director of The Museum, graciously welcomed us and directed our attention to the various featured exhibits. Trentsie Williams, Steering Committee member, opened the meeting by highlighting numerous GWC accomplishments. Pattie Fender, Communications Committee member, was acknowledged for her initiation of the GWC Facebook page. Members were encouraged to “like” and “share” our new Facebook page.

After committee presentations, all completed a brief form indicating their committee interests. Members were encouraged to join a committee if time and interest allow; however, we were also given the opportunity to decline committee affiliations.

Laura Bachinski, of the Grants Committee, reviewed voting procedures for our very first GWC Grant Awards and granting questions were entertained.  Laura also reminded us of our upcoming Annual Meeting to be held on Tuesday, March 26th, 5:30-7:00 at the Greenwood Genetic Center.

Sincere thanks are extended to The Museum, Simon Says Grow for the lovely table flowers, and those GWC Members who presented along with those who worked behind the scenes to make our meeting a success.

GWC New Members’ Welcome, February 19, 2019

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GWC is delighted to have 26 new 2019 Members, as of February 15th! Several on the Steering and Membership Committees – Mary Woodiwiss, Laura Stowe, Laura Bachinski, and Summer Booker – hosted an informal gathering at the home of Mary Woodiwiss on Tuesday, February 19th. All enjoyed light fare and drinks, warm and lively camaraderie, and a brief overview of GWC’s first year and aims for the year ahead. There was time for questions, discussion, and continued conversation. The evening was well attended and was a great way for those new to GWC to meet a smaller cohort before our first Quarterly Meeting on February 25th.

GWC’s “Shake Off the Winter Blues”, at Wild Hare Productions, January 8, 2019

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GWC members and guests gathered on Tuesday, January 8th to enjoy our “Shake Off the Winter Blues” winter social at Wild Hare Productions, located in Hampton Place Shopping Center. Numerous members contributed savory appetizers and/or sweets which resulted in overflowing tables of delicious treats and beverages.

Bess Park opened the entertainment portion of the evening with a quick introduction to her Wild Hare Productions which consists of both nonprofit dance and theatre. Scenes from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night were performed by six of Wild Hare’s Youth Shakespeare cast members, along with a quick synopsis by Bess between the scenes. Mary Woodiwiss then welcomed our members and guests, extending our GWC invitation for guests to attend all of our regular meetings and to consider joining GWC in 2019. Mary also emphasized our strong pool of 16 grant applicants for our first GWC Grant awards to be made in February. Nearly all of our 2018 members have renewed their memberships for 2019 and we have also welcomed 14 new members so far this year.

Thank you to all members and guests, especially to those who contributed our evening’s refreshments. Many thanks to Bess Park for opening up the theatre portion of her Wild Hare Production to us and providing us with the delightful scenes from Twelfth Night.  We look forward to seeing all members of GWC at our very important February 25th  Quarterly Meeting at The Museum.