Sunset, SC (Dec. 24, 2013) – In the spirit of the holiday season, The Reserve at Lake Keowee’s Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce its 2013 charitable contributions of $50,000 – a 43 percent increase over the Foundation’s 2012 donation amount. These funds, which were divided equally in $10,000 increments among five benefitting local organizations - Pickens County Meals on Wheels, Pickens County’s Feed a Hungry Child, Prevent Child Abuse Pickens County, Pickens County Senior Center, and Helping Hands of Clemson – were distributed on December 20 in a charity check presentation held at The Reserve at Lake Keowee.
This record high for annual giving was largely made possible by proceeds from the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX, held in May, and The Reserve at Lake Keowee’s 2013 Charity Golf Classic, held in October, together with a percentage of annual real estate sales within the community.
Representatives from the five benefitting charities were in attendance Friday night for the check presentation.
“On behalf of Helping Hands of Clemson, Inc. I would like to thank you for your generous donation. The goal of Helping Hands of Clemson, is to continue to make a difference in the lives of children. Your donation to our mission is sincerely appreciated,” expressed Jennifer Barbour, who serves as the organization’s Executive Director.
“We would like to express our gratitude to The Reserve at Lake Keowee Charitable Foundation, BMW, SC Charities, and, most important, the residents of The Reserve at Lake Keowee. This generous contribution helps us provide a welcoming social gathering place for the seniors of Pickens County and to provide them with affordable meals and activities,” added Pat Welborn, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Pickens County Senior Center.
“On behalf of Feed a Hungry Child Pickens County, the board would like to thank The Reserve at Lake Keowee Community and Charitable Foundation for their generous gift. This will enable us to continue to deliver nutritious read-to-eat food into the hands of students on the weekends within Pickens County. We are currently providing food on the weekend to 444 children within Pickens County,” stated Mike Parrot, Treasurer of the charity.
“It is our belief that every homebound person dealing with the challenges of hunger, loneliness and isolation deserve the support that we are ready and willing to give. Because of the volunteer and financial contributions from The Reserve at Lake Keowee, we are able to provide this vital community service that helps individuals maintain their health, independence and quality of life. Volunteers and funding are vital to our mission, and we are extremely thankful for the confidence The Reserve at Lake Keowee places in us,” commented Meta Bowers, Executive Director of Pickens County Meals on Wheels.
“The families and staff of Prevent Child Abuse Pickens County/The Parenting Place are so very grateful for the generosity and community support of The Reserve at Lake Keowee Charitable Foundation. This very needed donation will provide education, resources, and loving care to parents so that they can provide safe, healthy environments for their children. Last year over 2,000 parents were given the support they needed to break cycles of poverty and abuse and move from hurting to healing; from system dependence to independence and success because of generous donations like this one. Thank you so very much for caring about the children of your community. Every member of the foundation is a blessing in this community,” said Gloria Morris, Executive Director of the organization.
The Reserve at Lake Keowee’s Charitable Foundation received $21,000 as one of the beneficiaries of the 2013 BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX, held in May, which it “paid forward” to its 2013 charity recipients. As one of the 20 beneficiaries of the proceeds from the 2013 BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX, The Reserve at Lake Keowee Charitable Foundation organized 120 members of The Reserve at Lake Keowee community to serve as volunteers to help execute the tournament. Those volunteers logged more than 297 work days for the event.
“The Foundation as well as the members and staff of The Reserve at Lake Keowee are so delighted to be able to increase our giving in such a significant way this year to these deserving organizations,” said Kathryn Gravely, Executive Director of The Reserve at Lake Keowee’s Community and Charitable Foundation. “It truly is a gift that will keep giving throughout the coming year, and help to address critical needs and important projects and programming that allow these charities to enhance their services and maximize their missions and good works within our community.”
Celebrating its fifth year, The Reserve at Lake Keowee’s annual Charity Golf Classic, held on October 22, is one of the primary ways the community’s Charitable Foundation raises money to support local charities. This year’s tournament was a sell-out event, celebrating both a record attendance and all-time high proceeds generated through sponsorships, registration fees, and the silent and live auctions.
The Charitable Foundation, part of The Reserve at Lake Keowee’s Community Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to funding outreach and charitable giving in the community. Members of The Reserve annually select charitable organizations for the Foundation to support.
About The Reserve at Lake Keowee Community and Charitable Foundations
The Reserve at Lake Keowee Community Foundation is a non-profit organization created to enhance the quality of life at The Reserve and in the local area while fulfilling a sense of community and philanthropy for The Reserve’s members. The Community Foundation sponsors regular cultural events including concerts, plays, lectures, and an annual art festival. The Foundation has four major functions: 1.) Help preserve the natural resources in the area through acts and events of environmental stewardship; 2.) Provide educational programs for members and guests of The Reserve; 3.) Promote an arts program at The Reserve; and 4.) Provide outreach activities for neighboring communities in Pickens County, SC, through the 501(c)(3) Charitable Foundation. In 2012, the Charitable Foundation gave more than $35,000 to local organizations.
About The Reserve at Lake Keowee
Created in 2000 by Greenwood Communities and Resorts, The Reserve at Lake Keowee is an award-winning residential community that spans 3,900 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with 30 miles of shoreline on Lake Keowee and convenient access to nationally-recognized commercial and cultural centers that include Greenville, S.C.; Asheville, N.C.; and Clemson and Furman Universities. A 200-slip Marina, Village Center, Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, and more than 1,400 acres of parks, preserves, trails, and green spaces highlight more than $100 million in completed family amenities at The Reserve. The Reserve has more than 700 members from 30 different states and the Caribbean. Homesites at The Reserve start in the $100,000s; homes, under $500,000. To learn more, call 877-922-LAKE (5253), visit www.ReserveAtLakeKeowee.com or follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ReserveatLakeKeowee).
About Greenwood Communities and Resorts
Greenwood Communities and Resorts, based in Greenwood, S.C., is a leader in the creation and management of award-winning residential and resort communities in the southeastern United States since 1978. Beginning with the award-winning Palmetto Dunes Resort at Hilton Head Island and evolving to current communities like Big Canoe near Atlanta and The Reserve at Lake Keowee, Greenwood’s mission has remained the same: Create memorable places that foster meaningful and fulfilling lives.
