BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX is looking for local, Upstate, nonprofit organizations to sign up for Birdies for Charity to start earning matching funds now!**see details below.
Here is a little informational Q&A about the program:
What is Birdies for Charity? Birdies for Charity® is a multi-level fundraising program designed to give participating charities the opportunity to generate contributions for their organization based on the number of “birdies” made by Korn Ferry Tour professional players Thursday through Sunday during the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX.
What’s the cost for local nonprofits to participate? It is completely free for 501(c)3’s and schools in the Upstate to participate.
What are the expectations? There are no expectations! Just sign up and start soliciting pledges. We recommend that you send e-mail blasts, post on social media and work within the community to promote that you are participating in this event….but there are no minimum requirements!
What’s the benefit of participating?
No Risk! No out of pocket expenses!
All donations are tax-deductible
Charities receive 100% of their donations
Organizations can receive Bonus Bucks
Dollar for dollar match up to the first $100,000.00 raised by all charities
Participating organizations get their name on the Charity Spotlight Board at the tournament
What’s Next? Go to bmwcharitygolf.com to register. Click on the “donate now” button and then choose “participating organization”. You will receive an approval email within 5-7 business days that includes login information to the Birdies Portal. Once you have the approval email you are able to solicit donations! Utilize the charity resources that are on the Birdies website and then email cassadzandi@sccharities.org with any questions or concerns.
Check out the article above to learn about how Wholespire is providing proven and sustainable approaches that lead to increased access to healthy choices for all people!
Have you ever heard about a town that was losing its only grocery store? What about a local park that was run down and unsafe? At Wholespire, we help community coalitions identify ways to fix those types of problems so that all community members have a fair chance at taking better care of their health. It’s amazing to see how making one or two small improvements can lead to a healthier and happier community.
Wholespire has been working to make South Carolina a healthier state since 2007. Our mission is to provide communities with proven and sustainable approaches that lead to increased access to healthy choices for all people. With a focus on increasing access to healthy eating and active living, Wholespire is a leader in creating environments that promote healthy behaviors and prevent chronic disease.
We were formerly known as Eat Smart Move More South Carolina
While you may not be familiar with Wholespire, you might know us as Eat Smart Move More South Carolina. In 2020, we decided to change our name to better reflect our work. Wholespire combines the word “whole” with the words “aspire” (what we’re striving for) and “inspire” (what we hope to evoke in people). It’s the state in which a complete and harmonious community is achieved.
Our new name and look capture our efforts to bring about lasting and healthy change for so many who aspire to wellness but lack access to the key components of health. It’s a refresh on our goal to make whole health a possibility for all South Carolinians as we inform, engage and influence decision-makers to include health in policy decisions.
We are advocates
What makes us different from other organizations is that we advocate to our state legislators to include health in all policies. You can find us at the state house advocating for free school meals for all SC students, more recess time at school and the Healthy Bucks program. We also support our partners’ initiatives that impact health equity. In addition to advocating to change state-level policies and laws, we equip communities to do the same at the local level. You can learn more about our legislative priorities and the bills we’re watching by visiting our Advocacy Center. You can also become a Wholespire advocate! We make contacting your legislators easy with pre-written email messaging. Sign up to become an advocate for health in your community.
We have annual mini-grants available
To date, Wholespire has invested over $200,000 in mini-grants across the state. While these grants cannot be used to fund events, programs, or direct education, they can be used to create or improve access to nutritious foods and safe places to be physically active. Examples of mini-grant projects include:
A paved walking track at an elementary school
Outdoor water bottle refill stations at parks and trails
Bilingual signage at a farmers’ market
Benches, signage, trash receptacles along trails or walking paths
Community change must start with community voice. That’s why Wholespire uses a chapter model to allow communities to lead the change themselves. We provide branding and technical assistance, but each coalition has volunteers made up of people who live and/or work in that county. Each chapter chooses the strategies that make the most sense for their community.
Stay up to date with all our work by subscribing to our newsletter!
AARP’s remarkable founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, had a passion for education and service that carried her throughout her extensive career as a teacher and a high school principal. After retiring at age 60, she turned her energies to helping “aging folk realize life’s possibilities.”
Dr. Andrus had a new and different vision of aging. “We don’t get old,” she said, “we grow old. We mature. If we ever stop growing, then we have had it.” But as she looked around in 1950s America, she could see that “most organizations working with older citizens did things for them—things that too often led to trivial activities and childish games.”
“Why,” she asked herself, “can’t AARP offer senior Americans a chance to solve their own problems of personal identity, recreation, travel, health protection and financial security?”
Since 1958, AARP has been doing just that—and helping all Americans to understand that, in Dr. Andrus’ words, “age is not a defeat, but a victory; not a punishment, but a privilege.”
Here in South Carolina, AARP has more than 600,000 members. There are great ways to get involved ere in the Upstate. See the opportunities below and let us hear from you.
AARP South Carolina’s volunteers are local heroes. They are everyday people who care about their communities and are doing what they can to make a difference. We want to join you in the work you are doing in your community or to create the change you know needs to happen.
We work on the issues that impact the 50+ and their families, including:
Veterans Outreach
Health & Healthcare
Hunger and Food Insecurity
Utilities
Caregiving
Fraud Prevention
Join AARP South Carolina as a volunteer for some great opportunities and self-fulfillment. The calendar for the upcoming months is starting to take shape and your help is needed. AARP SC is planning some major events and activities for our Upstate members.
Here is a sample of volunteer opportunities that are available in the Upstate.
Community Engagement Team – be a part of the steering group to help plan and Implement community events. This group will meet on a regular basis to plan and develop events and on-going programs for members in the Upstate.
Community Event Volunteers – Spend some time working events and representing AARP SC at community events, festivals, Movies for Grown Ups, Shred Events with the BBB of the Upstate, and Fraud presentations. Look for AARP SC on Fridays on Main beginning March 17.
Advocacy Volunteers – Help track and advocated for issues that are important to older South Carolina residents. This includes state and federal officials. AARP is a fierce defender on issues that impact your wallet.
2024 Presidential Primary Volunteers – Track ALL presidential candidates when they visit the area. AARP is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. Volunteers will be needed to help AARP hold the candidates accountable on issues that impact older voters.
AARP is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. With over 600,000 members here in the Palmetto state, AARP is making life better for its members. For other information on AARP programs, services and benefits call 1-866-389-5655 or aarp.org
On February 23, Ten at the Top and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Control (SC DHEC) brought together a group of mental and behavioral health care providers for an initial discussion of working regionally and collaboratively to address elements of the behavioral health crisis in the Upstate. The group analyzed current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in regional behavioral health care, and determined common themes and potential courses of action. The group agreed to form a regional task force to define and prioritize objectives, and determine strategies and action steps.
