Spartanburg Regional Foundation Awards Annual Grants

An individual who experienced a stroke will now have access to a motor vehicle simulator to test their driving skills. A family whose child was diagnosed with cancer will receive financial support for transportation to treatment. Young girls in Spartanburg will learn about self-respect and healthy living.

The health of the community is enhanced by services like these due to recently awarded grants from the Spartanburg Regional Foundation.

Spartanburg Regional Foundation awarded $695,000 in grants to Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and to community organizations committed to the health and wellness of Upstate residents. Spartanburg Regional Foundation, recognized 27 recipients at a ceremony held June 8 at the Piedmont Club in Spartanburg.

“We are proud to support nonprofits and healthcare system programs that make Spartanburg healthier,” said Kristy Caradori, executive director of the Spartanburg Regional Foundation. “We are grateful to our community for the opportunity to give back to improve health and wellness.”

2016 Spartanburg Regional Foundation grant recipients include:

• Boys and Girls Clubs of the Upstate: $16,000
  • This grant will provide funds for a healthy lifestyles program at the Mary H. Wright Elementary School Boys and Girls Club of the Upstate, located in Spartanburg. This program will aid up to 200 children in first through fifth grades.
• Charles Lea Center Foundation: $8,575
  • This grant will provide funds for four telehealth tool kits on the Charles Lea Center campus. Telehealth is a service in which patients can speak to a doctor via computer or phone if they cannot get to a doctor's office. The Charles Lea Center provides services to help improve the quality of life of those with disabilities and special needs.
• Ellen Sagar Nursing Center: $53,234
  • This grant will provide funds for an outdoor courtyard for 113 residents. Ellen Sagar Nursing Center, located in Union, S.C., is a long-term healthcare center and provides physical, occupational and speech therapy.
• Girls on the Run of Spartanburg: $5,000
  • This grant will provide funds for two sites, allowing 20 girls from third to fifth grades to attend 20 lessons in preparation for a 5k race. Girls on the Run of Spartanburg teaches girls about self-respect and healthy living.
• Greater St. James Temple Holiness Church, Inc.: $7,000
  • This grant will provide funds for medical supplies, equipment and cabinetry for the church's health room and outreach program. Greater St. James Temple is located in Inman.
• Greer Relief and Resources Agency: $7,000
  • This grant will provide funds for a homeless prevention program for disabled and/or elderly members of Greer, Taylors, Duncan, Lyman and Wellford. The program aids participants through individual case management, matching participants to resources and agencies for further help with financial support. Financial support can include utility bills, rent or mortgages.
• Healthy Smiles of Spartanburg: $14,475
  • This grant will provide funds to expand access to preventive and restorative dental health care via a mobile dental clinic. Children from ages four to 18 in Spartanburg County will be served.
• Medical Group of the Carolinas—Weight Loss Services: $3,000
  • This grant will fund a portable total-body composition analyzer to measure patients' weight and instantly calculate body fat percentage and body water percentage, in addition to body mass index (BMI).
• Mental Health America of Spartanburg County: $6,000
  • This grant funds resource materials and other supplies to support first aid training for 300 individuals who work with behavioral health patients.
• Middle Tyger Community Center: $5,000
  • This grant will provide funds to expand the capacity of the clinic that provides patients with counseling and prescriptions.
• Pelham Medical Center—Education: $62,987
  • This grant will support the purchase of one SimMan Essential Manikin and accessories. The SimMan is a form of clinical training using an interactive human-like machine that simulates breathing, a beating heart and blood circulation.
• Piedmont Care: $15,000
  • This grant will provide funds for community education on HIV and AIDS prevention. Piedmont Care works throughout Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union counties to fight the spread of HIV and AIDS and provide care and education.
• SAFE Homes—Rape Crisis Coalition: $4,000
  • This grant will help fund a conference to educate professionals on interpersonal violence. SAFE Homes education empowers community members so they can provide help to a friend being abused, speak out about abuse or act as an engaged bystander.
• Spartanburg Medical Center—Transitional Unit: $150,000
  • This grant will support a new early admissions transitional unit that will decrease wait times for Emergency Center patients. The telemetry unit will improve the patient transport from the Emergency Center to their point of care. A telemetry unit is an area where machines are used to help monitor patients, such as changes in blood pressure or rhythm of the heart.
• Spartanburg Medical Center—Rehabilitation Services: $75,000
  • This grant will support the purchase of two driving simulators to help determine if patients who have suffered from injuries or illnesses such as strokes or concussions are ready to drive a motor vehicle.
• Spartanburg Medical Center—Trauma: $10,338
  • This grant will support the purchase of equipment for the Stay Active and Independent for Life fitness class to help older adults with balance.
• Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System—Medical Staff: $32,500
  • This grant will support a plan to combat burnout and promote wellness among physicians and clinical staff.
• Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System—Corporate Education: $55,384
  • This grant will support the purchase of an adult simulation manikin for the Simulation Lab.
• Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System—Safe Kids Spartanburg: $22,825
  • This grant funds an opportunity for 15 certified child passenger safety technicians to attend a class on proper child restraint evaluation and will provide child seats for families of children with special healthcare needs.
• St. Luke's Free Medical Clinic: $31,560
  • This grant will provide funds for patients' life-sustaining medications. St. Luke's offers primary medical care, physician-ordered medications, pastoral support and patient education for uninsured residents of Spartanburg County.
• The Children's Security Blanket: $2,500
  • This grant will support a feasibility study on expanding their services into Cherokee and Union Counties. The Children's Security Blanket provides financial support to families with a child who is diagnosed with cancer.
• The Walker Foundation: $5,305
  • This grant will support the purchase of specialized equipment for special needs students to help healthcare professionals assess and monitor these students in a more efficient manner. The Walker Foundation supports programs at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind.
• TOTAL Ministries: $5,000
  • This grant will provide funds for patient medications. TOTAL Ministries is a Christian ministry that assists families in financial crisis. Assistance can come in the form of preventing loss of utilities, providing heat during the winter, providing food or covering medical costs.
• Transportation Service Bureau: $23,108
  • This grant will support a matching grant to fund the purchase of a replacement wheelchair-accessible bus. The Transportation Service Bureau helps individuals travel to health and human services, to jobs, the grocery store or the library.
• Union Medical Center—Emergency Department: $13,000
  • This grant will support the purchase of 10 televisions for exam rooms and the Emergency Department waiting room.
• Union Medical Center—Pharmacy: $54,623
  • This grant will support the purchase of one Acudose cabinet in the after-hours pharmacy area.
• Upstate Stand Down: $6,585
  • This grant will provide funds for prescriptions, glasses, hearing aids and other supplies to assist veterans. Upstate Stand Down assists homeless veterans, veterans at risk of homelessness or veterans in need.