Company donates 500 masks to front-line workers in Greer
Greer-based Century 3 donated 500 face masks Monday to police, fire and EMS workers in Greer to help protect them from the COVID-19 coronavirus. “It’s a very kind and generous donation,” said Greer Police Lt. Patrick Fortenberry. “We like to say policing is a partnership. We’ve been partners with Century 3 for years. This donation will protect our officers for some time.” Read more.
Duke Energy Foundation Donates $150,000 to Agencies in South Carolina Helping Pay Energy Bills during COVID-19 Crisis
The Duke Energy Foundation has announced a $150,000 donation to support low-income customers in the Palmetto State who are struggling to pay their utility bills during the COVID-19 crisis.
This additional funding will significantly increase the assistance available through the Energy Neighbor Fund and Share the Warmth programs to provide help to about 550 households with their utility bills. Funds can assist with heating or cooling costs. Read more.
Pine Street teacher honored in surprise appreciation parade
Parent Tashma Glymph says teachers are under-appreciated, especially those who go above and beyond the call of duty during a coronavirus pandemic. That’s why she organized a small parade Sunday to honor her daughter Kirsten’s fourth-grade teacher at Pine Street Elementary School, April Volk. Read more.
Dray Bar and Grill provides meals to service industry workers
Dray Bar and Grill is partnering with Upstate Service Industry United over the next few weeks to provide free take-out meals for food and beverage service industry workers and their families. Read more.
Greenville County Schools: Celebrating our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week
Parents and students can express their appreciation for teachers by downloading the sign at right, snapping a photo of you and your children with the sign, and submitting it to thankateacher@greenville.k12.sc.us. We will post your photos on the GCS Facebook page throughout Teacher Appreciation Week. Read more.
Senior Resources nutrition program to expand
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is providing nearly $1.6 million to expand Senior Resources’ emergency senior citizen nutrition program. The contribution from the health insurer, combined with resources from the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation, will provide an anticipated 245,000 meals to eligible homebound elderly persons, according to a news release. Read more.
Michelin, Greenville Tech gift critical needs supplies
Michelin North America donated more than 25,000 surgical masks to AnMed Health Thursday, while Greenville Technical College held a critical supplies drive for the Bon Secours St. Francis Health System. Read more.
Easley High honors seniors by hanging banners downtown
Downtown Easley is festooned with green banners listing the names of Easley High seniors, and they’ll stay there until graduation day. A decision about graduation will be made by May 11th, but school officials want to make it special. Watch the clip.
Anderson University Creates Fund to Support Students Impacted by Coronavirus Pandemic
The Anderson University COVID-19 Relief Fund was created to remove financial obstacles that may hinder students’ academic success, said Anderson University Senior Vice President for Development and Presidential Affairs Wayne Landrith. “During this unprecedented time of global crisis, many of our students and their families find themselves facing unexpected financial hardships and uncertainty about the future,” Landrith said. “Of course, that is true of our alumni and friends as well, but we have received so many calls and emails asking how they can help. It speaks volumes about the generosity of our people and their recognition that our community is stronger together.” Read more.
Wofford basketball players join first-graders on Zoom call

Wofford basketball players talk to Cowpens Elementary students on Zoom
The kids had important questions for the players. How are they staying safe? Why did they choose Wofford? Who is their favorite Avenger? What superpower would they like to have? Read more.
#SpartanburgStrong parade shows support for health care workers
Read about it here.
Anderson Mall teamed up with Healthy Blue South Carolina to provide over 200 dental kits for United Way!
See the post here.
Bi-Lo on Reidville Road paid for the groceries of all medical personnel and first responders Monday evening.

Bi-Lo Reidville Road manager Alex Clever with a very happy first responder customer.
“At BI-LO, we’re dedicated to giving back to our communities, especially during these uncertain times. To show our appreciation and gratitude for our community heroes, we rewarded thousands of customers with free groceries during Monday night’s shopping hour dedicated to health care professionals and first responders. As a community, we are #StrongerTogether and will keep #WinningTogether together with kindness.”
Upstate siblings give back to local charitable organization in a big way

17-year-old Savannah Williams and 15-year-old Garrett Williams
While looking at the United Way’s website, the teens discovered a way they could assist the Spartanburg Opportunity Center. According to the website, the need was for laundry detergent to wash clothes for the homeless. Spartanburg Opportunity Center set a goal of raising enough detergent to do 2,020 loads of laundry, but the Williams siblings did more than that.
Greenville Health Authority Board of Trustees & Healthy Greenville Grant Initiative Releases Grant Funds to Meet Urgent COVID-19 Needs
Greenville Health Authority, by way of the Healthy Greenville Grant initiative, pledged $150,000 to three organizations in Greenville County in order to make an immediate impact on organizations that are seeking to provide health assistance for the county’s most vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 crisis. The three organizations are Miracle Hill (for their COVID-19 shelters for the homeless), Meals on Wheels of Greenville, and FoodShare of Greenville. Read more.
Seniors Are Honored with Downtown Banners
Spring sports seasons have been cancelled and athletic banquets are not happening this year, so Pickens and Woodruff honored their senior athletes by hanging banners with their photos downtown. Click the links to see the photos!
Friends surprise 11 year old girl on birthday with a parade of honking cars
A parade of honking cars drive by the home of Carson Griffin, on her 11th birthday in Anderson Friday. Classmates originally were going to have a party, but with the closure of Skateland and threat of the coronavirus, they decided to surprise her with the parade. See more here.
Two Greenville Makers Create Protective Shields
Jamarcus Gaston talks to two Upstate makers who are 3-D printing PPEs (personal protective equipment) to ship to hospitals that need them, in collaboration with the group 3DforCOVID.com. See the whole story here.
Meals on Wheels of Greenville Combats Senior Loneliness During COVID-19
Meals on Wheels of Greenville is committed to supporting Greenville County seniors and homebound neighbors as social distancing and additional restrictions increase in efforts to suppress COVID-19. Despite the uncertain times, the Meals on Wheels priority remains to deliver a hot, nutritious meal and personal interaction to the homebound throughout Greenville County while also ensuring the health and safety of all parties involved. Read more.
Yousef’s Kitchen in Westminster sets up “Blessing Box”
A blessing box has been placed outside of Yousef’s Kitchen containing a variety of donated dry goods for those in need to take.
Greenville medical student launches shopping service for vulnerable neighbors
“Since she just started the shopping service last weekend, she’s only gotten a few families signed up. But she’s enlisted 10 of her fellow medical students to do the same in their neighborhoods as well.” Read more.
Here’s how the Upstate is helping those in need during coronavirus outbreak
For many in the Upstate, life has changed as the coronavirus’ impact expands, and some residents have taken action to help. Read more.
Lions Club cancels tournament but raises money anyway
The Greer Centennial Lions Club found a way to raise money after canceling a fund-raising bass tournament planned for this weekend. The Lions asked sponsors to contribute and the club donated $3,000 each to three organizations, including Greer Relief (pictured), Greer Community Ministries and the Greer Soup Kitchen.
Teachers at Boiling Springs Elementary School participate in a parade through neighborhoods to show support for their students at home
Over 40 teachers and staff at Boiling Springs Elementary School participated in a teacher’s caravan parade through four of the school’s neighborhoods in Boiling Springs, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. The teachers held signs and told their students they were thinking of them while the school is closed down. Katie Sanders, a third grader at BSES, holds a sign from her car as she waves to the passing caravan in her neighborhood. See photos here.