News/Events

Latest News

2010 Pacesetter Companies
07/25/2010 | Twenty-three companies are getting a jump-start on the 2010 community campaign as this year's Pacesetters.
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Supporting 2-1-1 is an easy call
07/25/2010 | Knowing where to turn in a time of need can be critical. Improving access to the available resources in our community is an important part of our work at United Way. That's why we're such strong proponents of the 2-1-1 system.
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United Way's partnership with FamilyWize brings big savings
07/23/2010 |  Greenville County residents have saved more than $539,000 – and counting – on prescription costs thanks to United Way of Greenville County's partnership with the FamilyWize discount card program.
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The Greenville News: Increased demand taxes United Way funds
05/05/2010 | The United Way of Greenville County fielded a record number of applications while facing reduced donations this year, but it still awarded $5.82 million in funds to agencies serving the county's less fortunate.
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The Greenville News: HOG Day turnout shatters records
05/02/2010 | Hands On Greenville shattered records Saturday as volunteers took part in 305 cleanup and beautification projects throughout Greenville County.
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Local government declares May 1 HOG Day
04/28/2010 | Greenville City Council and Greenville County Council have officially proclaimed May 1, 2010, as Hands On Greenville Day.
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United Way announces program grants for 2010-2013
04/23/2010 | United Way of Greenville County announced today it will award more than $5.82 million in Program Investment grants to fund 86 local programs each year for the next three years.
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Shared volunteer vision unites two local agencies
04/13/2010 | There are many reasons to be excited about the upcoming Hands On Greenville (HOG) Day on May 1. This year's event is the first since the Hands On Greenville organization officially merged with United Way of Greenville County.
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Greenville County Celebrates Week of the Young Child
04/11/2010 | The United Way of Greenville County's Child Care Resource & Referral program asks Greenville County to come together for children during the Week of the Young Child beginning Sunday, April 11.
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Help 'Stamp Out Hunger'
04/07/2010 | The demand at local food pantries has never been higher, but you can help restock depleted shelves this spring by participating in the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
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Be a Bunny program delivers baskets of joy
04/01/2010 |  United Way program collects more than 1,800 treat-filled Easter baskets for local children.
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Jim Terry: Long-term investment offers great returns
03/20/2010 | Jim Terry, 2009 Palmetto Society Chair, says United Way investment offers great return for community.
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Local news features VITA program
03/19/2010 | Local news highlights the work of United Way's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
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GCWD helps students prepare for job market with new training
02/16/10 |  A diverse group of 15 students is entering the workforce retrained and reenergized after graduating last month in the first class of the MSSC (Manufacturing Standard Skills Council) Certified Production Technician program.
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News: UWGC allocates funding for emergency assistance
02/16/10 |  United Way of Greenville County's Community Investment team approves $60,000 in grants to help six local agencies provide emergency rent/mortgage, utility and food assistance.
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News: UW Art Contest Winner
02/01/2010 | Kyah Moore, a student in the Communities in Schools after school program at Chandler Creek Elemetary, was recently selected as the winner of United Way of Greenville County's art contest.
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News: 2010 Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration
01/26/10 | United Way of Greenville County hosted more than 950 volunteers and supporters during its Annual Meeting and Campaign Awards Celebration Tuesday, highlighting the work the local nonprofit has done throughout the year and recognizing the support it received from more than 38,000 donors and 700 companies during its 2009 community campaign.  
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News: Workforce Collaborative's job training graduates better prepared
01/03/10 | Despite the new production skills they've learned, graduates of the Greenville Workforce Collaborative's first eight-week manufacturing skills course realize that finding a job may take weeks or months because of the weak economy.
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News: Featured United Way family gets 'Habitat' home
12/2/09 | When Clarissa Williams and her family became the feature family for the 2008 United Way of Greenville County campaign, they had only just begun a journey that would eventually take them from homelessness to homeownership.
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Campaign Chair Howard Boyd thanks the community
11/23/09 |  I've been witness to many United Way campaigns since first volunteering with the organization back in the late 1970s. While the banners that pop up all over the county measuring campaign progress are almost as much a rite of autumn as college football and the changing leaves, I promise there's much more to it than that.
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News: UW announces campaign total
11/12/09 | United Way of Greenville County announced Thursday that despite a national recession and tough economic conditions locally, it raised its third highest total ever during its 2009 community campaign at more than $14 million.
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News: GCWD organizes job training
11/5/09 |  Greenville Collaborative for Workforce Development wants to help job seekers gain the skills demanded by employers.
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News: Greenville Hospital's 09 Campaign
10/30/09 | Officials at the Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center announced Thursday its employees have raised $909,076 thus far for United Way's 2009 community campaign.
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News: Women's Leadership Guest Column
10/11/09 |  If you polled the leaders of any field -- be it business, sports, politics, education or entertainment -- you would surely find those individuals benefitted at some point in their lives from the support of family and friends. A parent who read to them, a grandmother who inspired them, a sibling who challenged them, a mentor who guided them, or a friend who just listened to them.
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News: The Greenville News gives Women's Leadership 'Thumbs Up'
10/01/09 |  Thumbs Up to the United Way of Greenville County's Women's Leadership for creating a new education scholarship and business mentoring program that was announced Wednesday at the group's 11th annual Women Make a Difference luncheon.
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Women's Leadership announces 'Jobs to Careers'
9/23/09 | Women's Leadership announces new scholarship program United Way of Greenville County's Women's Leadership announced a new education scholarship and business mentoring program Wednesday during the group's annual "Women Make a Difference" luncheon.
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The Greenville News asks community to support 2009 campaign
9/9/09 | Hard times result in greater demand on social services. These are hard times for many people in the Greenville area, and because of that the United Way of Greenville County needs your help now more than ever.
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Through United Way, help shape our community's future
9/8/09 | In today's economy, members of our community are dealing with challenges that cannot be overcome without the critical assistance provided by the programs and initiatives that United Way contributions support. The needs are great. Many families who have never needed assistance before are now seeking help for the first time.
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Free training as production technician to be offered
9/3/09 |  The Greenville Collaborative for Workforce Development is sponsoring a free eight-week program to prepare candidates for a career in manufacturing with certification as a production technician.
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United Way confident of meeting challenge
9/3/09 | Raising $14.6 million for United Way of Greenville County in the current economy will be a "challenge," the 2009 campaign chair, Howard Boyd, said Wednesday.
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United Way African American Leadership Participate in Speed Career Mentoring Program with Graduate Greenville Students
7/21/09 | Speed Career Mentoring is a unique project between members of United Way's African American Leadership (AAL) and high school students enrolled in a summer enrichment program provided by Graduate Greenville.  
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Tom Faulkner: Reach out to people facing foreclosure
7/11/09 | A recent FBI report on foreclosures indicated that compared to all metropolitan areas in the United States, Greenville is ranked No. 1 in the country with respect to the percentage increase in foreclosures from 2007 to 2008. A recent report from SC Biz News indicates that foreclosures in Greenville County jumped 43 percent in May.  
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Howard Boyd: Competitive nature makes attorney United Way leader
6/24/09 | In May 1972, just after Davidson College senior Howard Boyd completed a mile run and a 3-mile run on a Duke University track, his running career ended abruptly. "I was hot and sick, leaning over...
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United Way Announces Process for Next Three-Year Funding Cycle
6/08/09 | United Way of Greenville County has begun the funding process for its next three-year funding cycle (2010-2013).  Visit www.unitedwaygc.org/for_agencies to see a timeline which outlines key dates in the process.  Additionally, information regarding the agency, program, and application requirements are detailed.  
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United Way Effort Targets Those in Economic Pinch
4/24/09 | The United Way of Greenville County on Thursday outlined a collaborative response to the recession, including ways to help residents who are unemployed or facing home foreclosures.
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United Way Unveils Resources to Assist Individuals and Families Dealing with the Economic Crisis
4/23/09 | "Over the past several months our community and nation have faced frightening new economic challenges," said Ted Hendry, President of United Way of Greenville County.  "Working together has become more important than ever. Layoffs, foreclosures, and shrinking family budgets mean more of our neighbors, co-workers, and friends are living on the edge – some for the first time ever."
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Community to Celebrate "Week of the Young Child" April 19-25
4/9/09 | United Way Child Care Resource & Referral asks Greenville County to come together for children during the Week of the Young Child Sunday, April 19 – Saturday April 25, 2009.  As part of the National Week of the Young Child celebrated across the country, Greenville County is honoring young children and all those who make a difference in children’s lives.
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United Way of Greenville County Awarded $100,000 Grant from ATT&T Foundation for Graduate Greenville
4/03/09 | The AT&T* Foundation, the philanthropy arm of AT&T Inc., today announced it has awarded a $100,000 grant to the United Way of Greenville County, the fiscal agent for Graduate Greenville, a recognized, best practice program aimed at improving high school success.   Specifically the grant will be used to add a technology component to the Summer Enrichment Program designed to help students improve their math and literacy skills.
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United Way "Be a Bunny" Project Provides 1,800 Children and Senior Citizens with Easter Baskets
3/27/09 | The goal of the United Way “Be a Bunny” program is to provide Easter Baskets, filled with goodies and personal items, to children from low-income families, children with special needs, and senior citizens identified by area nonprofit organizations. 
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Growing poverty slowing drive to improve education, experts say
2/20/09 | Check this bewildering statistic:  More South Carolina students last year attended schools that rated Average or better on report cards the state issued to schools and school districts today — but more schools fell onto the bottom rung of the scale.
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Generosity of Companies and Their Employees Recognized by United Way at Annual Meeting/Awards Celebration
2/10/09  |  As part of the Annual Meeting, 2008 Campaign Chairman Judy Alexander, of Dixon Hughes PLLC, recognized outstanding employees and area businesses, whose support resulted in a successful fund-raising campaign.  "Today, we celebrate this community's accomplishments and we recognize the award-winning employee campaigns that you made possible," Alexander said.  "The outstanding efforts of campaign coordinators, the support and encouragement of CEOs, and the generosity of each donor helped to raise $14,418,275.  We can truly be proud of this accomplishment."
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United Way Elects 2009 Officers and Board Members
2/10/09 | United Way of Greenville County held its Annual Meeting and Campaign Awards Celebration on February 10, 2009 to recognize community accomplishments, elect new officers, and honor area businesses and contributors for their outstanding support in the 2008 annual campaign.  United Way Board Chairman Tami McKnew, of Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP, addressed the more than 1,100 United Way volunteers and supporters who attended the event.
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Community Shares, Cares Through United Way
2/4/09  |  Did you hear the one about a priest, two ministers and a rabbi who were sitting around talking one day? It sure sounds like the start of a good joke, but this conversation was actually the beginning of the incredible organization we now refer to as the United Way. The year was 1887, and these four clerics from Denver decided that it made great sense to develop a single fundraising campaign to support the 22 health and human service agencies in their area. They raised an impressive sum of $21,700.
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Greenville's 'Big Idea' Looked At Way Blacks Lived
1/21/09  |  Yesterday's inauguration was a historic event. But if President Barack Obama's election chances seemed unlikely a year ago, think what a fantasy an African-American president would have been to Greenvillians in 1949.
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Corporate Leaders Pay It Forward
12/08  |  Greenville's corporate leaders give so much to the community by providing jobs and bringing business to the Upstate, but those represented in this feature also are community leaders in the amount of time, talent and resources they give to make Greenville a better place. Click on the link below to read about what motivates them and where they donate their time.
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Greenville County Awarded Federal Funds Under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program
1/7/09  |  Greenville County, South Carolina, has been chosen to receive $290,435.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.
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Area Charities Get Emergency Funds From United Way
12/12/08 | Six local charities that provide food and other services to the needy will share $90,000 in emergency funds from the United Way of Greenville County. 
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United Way of Greenville County to Provide Emergency Assistance Funding to Six Local Agencies
12/10/08 | Over the last six months the Greenville County community, along with the rest of the country, has been in an economic downturn. In response to the growing crisis, United Way of Greenville County is providing a one-time grant of $90,000 to provide additional assistance to six local agencies.
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Early Help Offered For Kids' Developmental, Behavioral Problems
12/4/08 | Having a child with developmental-behavioral issues can be a challenge in itself, but searching for needed services can add to the stress. Today, a pilot program aimed at connecting families to those services gets under way in Greenville County.
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Greenville Will Pilot Statewide Intervention Program
12/2/08 | South Carolina has been chosen as one of a handful of expansion sites for "Help Me Grow," an acclaimed comprehensive intervention program for children with developmental/behavioral problems. The national expansion is funded through a $340,700 grant from the New York City-based Commonwealth Fund.  
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Let's 'LIVE UNITED' for a Better Tomorrow
11/25/08 | Over this community's history, United Way of Greenville County has raised an amazing $270 million from caring citizens through our Community Campaign. We have established a proud giving tradition to improve lives and our county for 86 years, and to every one of our donors, we are truly grateful for your generosity and incredible giving spirit!  
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Annual Awards Celebration Scheduled For February 10
11/19/08 | Due to the upcoming presidential inauguration on January 20, the annual United Way Campaign Awards Celebration has been rescheduled for February 10, 2009.
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People Still Give During Tough Times
11/17/08 | Given a slumping economy, it's no surprise that the United Way of Greenville fell slightly short of its ambitious $15 million goal. Still, the $14.4 million pledged represents 96 percent of that fundraising goal. It's a commendable achievement given a difficult economic climate.
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Despite Continuing Bad Economy, United Way Nearly Makes Its Goal
11/11/08 | Greenville County United Way volunteers celebrated the successes of the 2008 fundraising campaign Monday even though they fell short of their $15 million goal.
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Support of 40,000+ Givers and 700+ Companies Leads United Way Campaign Past $14.4 Million
11/10/08 | At a final campaign celebration held today in front of more than 500 volunteers and campaign leaders, 2008 Campaign Chairman Judy Alexander, a partner at Dixon Hughes PLLC, praised the work of thousands of volunteers and contributors.
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How to Get Charity Meals, Toys, & Clothes for the Holidays
11/3/08 | Because of the bad economy, many more families will need help this holiday season getting meals, gifts, or warm clothes and blankets.  Local charities are gearing up for the growing demand.  The time is now to make sure your family is on reservation lists for some of these services.   
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New Community Health Assessment Details Growth in Number of Medically Underserved
11/3/08 | Greenville Forward, in partnership with United Way of Greenville County, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, Greenville Hospital System, Piedmont Health Care Foundation, and the South Carolina Business Coalition on Health, has released a new Health Assessment for Greenville County.
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United Way Over Halfway to Fund Goal
10/30/08 | Facing a tough economic climate, Greenville County United Way volunteers said Wednesday they still hope to reach their $15 million fundraising goal and are a little more than halfway there with three weeks to go in the fall charity campaign.  
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Finding Child Care Can Be Challenging
10/29/08 | The search for quality, affordable child care can seem a near impossible task for parents. The sheer number of considerations can seem overwhelming, especially for new parents or newcomers to a particular area.
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United Way of Greenville County Announces Dick Wilkerson as 2010 Campaign Chairman
10/29/08 | United Way of Greenville County's Board of Trustees announced today that Richard (Dick) Wilkerson, chairman and president of Michelin North America, Inc., has agreed to serve as Campaign vice chairman in 2009 and then as Campaign chairman in 2010.   
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2008 United Way of Greenville County Campaign Hits the Home Stretch
10/22/08 | "Members of the community continue to deal with the additional financial strain caused by today’s economic climate," said Judy Alexander, 2008 Campaign Chairman. "But, despite those challenges, they are continuing to rise to the occasion in their commitment to helping people in need and helping their community. Thanks to their generosity, United Way has reached 55% of its goal thus far, setting a pace that makes achieving our goal very possible."
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Women Are a Powerful Force For Change
10/2/08 | Surrounded by gift bags full of undergarments, one might mistake United Way's recent Women Make a Difference luncheon for a huge bridal shower. But rather than celebrating one woman, the event celebrated all women in Greenville County who are making a difference in the community by reaching out a hand to those in need.
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United Way Celebrates WomenÂ’s Leadership in Our Community
9/16/08 | At a special women-only event, more than 800 community leaders were recognized for their volunteer efforts and their philanthropic contributions to the community through United Way of Greenville County.  Dorothea Benton Frank, New York Times best-selling author and native of Charleston, served as the event's keynote speaker.
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Volunteer Income Tax Preparers Needed to Assist Low-Income Families
9/17/08 | For the third year in a row, United Way of Greenville County will partner with the City of Greenville, Furman University, Greenville Technical College, the Symmes Foundation, IBM, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to offer free tax preparation for low-income residents and promote tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) at VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites throughout Greenville County.
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United Way Recognizes Pacesetter Companies at Campaign Kickoff
9/4/08 | One of the highlights of the 2008 Community Campaign Kickoff event was the announcement of the results of the 2008 Pacesetter Campaigns. Pacesetters are those companies that ran workplace campaigns early, both to get the campaign off to a running start and challenge other companies to participate in workplace campaigns. 2008 Campaign Vice Chairman Howard Boyd, of Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A., recognized this year's Pacesetter Campaigns.
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United Way Kicks Off 2008 Community Campaign
9/4/08 | More than 1,400 volunteers and representatives from local businesses and organizations were on hand today as United Way of Greenville County officially kicked off its 2008 Community Campaign. Clemson University Men’s Basketball Coach Oliver Purnell provided a motivational keynote address that illustrated the importance of giving back to your community and ensuring that services are available to help individuals, families and neighborhoods in need.
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United Way Honors Key Community Volunteers
8/20/08 | For the third year in a row, United Way of Greenville County will partner with the City of Greenville, Furman University, Greenville Technical College, the Symmes Foundation, IBM, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to offer free tax preparation for low-income residents and promote tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) at VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites throughout Greenville County.
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United Way of Greenville County Sets 2008 Community Campaign Goal
8/11/08 | United Way volunteer leadership have set the goal for the 2008 United Way of Greenville County campaign. The Board of Trustees approved a goal of $15,000,000, which represents an ambitious $500,000 increase over the $14.5 million raised during the 2007 campaign. Campaign Chairman Judy Alexander, of Dixon Hughes, and Campaign Vice Chairman Howard Boyd, of Gallivan White & Boyd, are leading this year’s campaign. 
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United Way and BI-LO Charities Partner to Provide School Supplies and Book Bags to 5,000 Local Children
8/7/08 | Giving kids the tools they need to succeed in school – and in life. That’s the ultimate goal of “United Way School Tools.” In partnership with Project Sponsor BI-LO Charities, Inc., the program is designed to provide students of families who are most in need with the school supplies required to start school ready to learn. With all results tallied, 5,000 children will receive help through the project. This represents the largest school supply drive United Way has had in the nine-year history of the project.
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Help United Way Provide School Supplies to Underprivileged Elementary and Middle School Students
7/3/08 | Giving kids the tools they need to succeed in school – and in life. That's the ultimate goal of United Way/BI-LO "School Tools" - a program designed to give students of low-income families a great start to the school year by providing a "School Tools" bag filled with school supplies. 
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United Way Recognizes Efforts of Volunteer Tax Preparers
6/26/08 | For the second year, United Way of Greenville County and the City of Greenville partnered with Furman University, Goodwill Industries, Greenville Technical College, the Symmes Foundation, IBM, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and free tax preparation for low-income residents at VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites throughout Greenville County.  Anyone who files a basic tax return can use a VITA site.
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United Way Honors Area Businesses at Annual Campaign Celebration
1/29/08 | Today, United Way of Greenville County held its annual Campaign Awards Celebration to recognize companies and organizations throughout Greenville County that conducted outstanding United Way workplace campaigns in 2007.  Campaign Chairman Bill Engle, Plant Manager of Baldor Dodge – Gear Plant, addressed more than 1,100 campaign volunteers and supporters who attended the event.
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Free Tax Prep for Eligible Families through Earned Income Tax Program
This is the second year that United Way of Greenville County and the City of Greenville have partnered with Furman University, Goodwill Industries, Greenville Technical College, the Symmes Foundation, IBM, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and free tax preparation for low-income residents at six VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites throughout Greenville County.  Through the efforts of this partnership, 1,154 returns were prepared last year, a 54% over the previous year.  Earned Income Tax Credit in the amount of $235,669 was refunded to low-income tax payers.
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Upstate Group releases 2007 Employer Family Friendly Benefit Survey
In Spring 2007, 140 Upstate SC employers completed a comprehensive Family Friendly Benefit Survey.  This survey compared and contrasts upstate employers with employers across the nation, as survey questions were aligned with those conducted by the National Society of Human Resource.   The survey was completed to help employers to identify strategies that they could employ; and, for employers to better understand how they compare with other local employers when considering the family friendly workplace benefits offered to their employees.   
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United Way Earns Top Rating for Financial Performance
Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, has awarded United Way of Greenville County its highest rating, a four-star rating, for maintaining sound fiscal management.  
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Local Companies Step Up to "Be a Bunny"
Children in need and homebound senior citizens are often the recipients of a great deal of “holiday spirit” during Thanksgiving and Christmas.  However, for many of these individuals, the rest of the year isn’t nearly as cheerful or hopeful.  United Way of Greenville County asked local companies to participate in a program that builds upon and extends generosity throughout other times of the year. 
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United Way Holds Special Recognition Event for Leadership Contributors
More than 1,000 individuals who are members of United Way's Palmetto Society attended a special thank you event to recognize their outstanding generosity to the community.  Members of The Palmetto Society contribute $1,000 or more annually to our community through their support of United Way.  The event was held at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research campus in the Carroll A. Campbell Graduate Engineering Center.
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