News/Blogs

For many years, Kershaw County has searched for a solution to the challenge of providing transportation in our rural community. In order to expand our reach in the Kershaw County community, United Way of Kershaw County has secured over 1 million dollars in funding from Santee Wateree RTA (SWRTA) to provide health, hunger and social service-related transportation to all parts of Kershaw County.

A new program is helping students in the Kershaw County School District make sure students are reading at their grade level. The program is called “Ready Readers.” It’s a partnership between United Way of Kershaw County and AmeriCorps, which aims to address classroom reading levels since students were home during the pandemic.

Thanks in part to a car giveaway incentive, United Way of Kershaw County is off to a good start toward the annual $775,000 goal, by year end. “For the sixth year, 12 lucky finalists will have a chance to win a new car, thanks to the generosity of Lugoff Automotive Group. As of September 8, we have 500 names in the hopper for the free car drawing to take place November 16, 2023 at Lugoff Ford.” Lori Arledge, VP Resource Development To learn more about the car giveaway and annual campaign, United We Rise, visit the Campaign page.

The annual Day of Caring took place Friday, September 1, 2023, with 103 volunteers participating in projects across Kershaw County. “United Way of Kershaw County Day of Caring brought out the best in our community. Over 100 volunteers invested their time at 12 different sites throughout the county. From yard work to reading to children, and from installing tiny libraries to building ramps, much was accomplished.” United Way of Kershaw County President, Donny Supplee

Although the Ready Reader Program did not officially start until mid-September of 2022, our Kershaw County Community has embraced the need for Ready Readers in our schools. We began in September in 3 schools, added 2 more in October, 3 more in November, and the final 2 in January. This successfully reached our goal of having a Ready Reader Program in all 9 of our Kershaw County Elementary Schools. In addition, we recruited high school seniors to serve in our elementary schools as AmeriCorps members. The benefit was multifaceted. Inspiring and educating our future adults about the critical need within our community and sharing about resources to help.

Thank you Second Look Charities Boutique! “Thanks to all the wonderful shoppers and donations, we were able to give a generous gift of $20,000 to United Way of Kershaw County.” Your generous gift will make a difference in so many lives. United We Rise.

This fun annual event raises funds for the United Way of Kershaw County Mobile Nutrition Center. Saturday, October 28, 2023, twenty-three teams cooked up some delicious chili. Supporters mingled around tasting chili while listing to live music from Ten Cent Rich.

United Way of Kershaw County received a $5,000 grant from the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. The foundation awards grants to nonprofits that strive to reduce poverty throughout the state of South Carolina and beyond. United Way of Kershaw County was part of the Immediate Needs category. These grants support organizations that meet the fundamental needs of people experiencing poverty in South Carolina.

The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) bestowed The People’s Garden designation for community gardens in Kershaw County. November 9, 2023 at the Kershaw County Recreation Department, 1042 W Dekalb Street in Camden, garden teams were celebrated and recognized for their hard work.

As community leaders and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of Kershaw County residents, we have a responsibility to not only work together to find sustainable solutions, but to educate our community about the issues facing our most vulnerable residents.