The Greater Greer Education Foundation raised $42,235 at its Education Gala held Oct. 26 at the Cannon Centre.
The Gala is the Foundation’s only fundraising event.
In the past three years, the Greater Greer Education Foundation awarded 39 scholarships and 36 grants for a total of $57,650 to 39 local high school graduates and grants to 36 local educational programs in Greenville County and Spartanburg District 5 schools.
Sponsors and patrons who donate to the Foundation have a direct impact on the education of the community. That impact is evident in the student who receives a scholarship donation or the teacher whose grant proposal is funded.
"These donations will allow us to give more scholarships and grants next year," Margaret Burch, chairman of the Foundation, said. "It is a wonderful thing when the community comes together to support such a worthy cause, the education of our children."
The Foundation honored Greer High School High School girls' basketball coach and instructional coach at Greer Middle School as the 2013 Educator of the Year.
Sponsors
Underwriter sponsors:
BMW Manufacturing Co., Community Foundation of Greenville, Village Hospital, Greer Memorial Hospital, Hanson Aggregates
Gala sponsors:
GSP International Airport, City of Greer
Contributing sponsors:
Ashmore Bros., Inc., Jim and Evelyn Benson, Greer State Bank, Countybank
Designated gifts:
Ahsmore Bros. Inc., Margaret G. Burch, C.F. Rhem Jr., Jack Reyes – Mr. Salsa, Town of Lyman
Sponsoring restaurants:
Demetre’s Grill and Bar, Sushi with Gusto, Walnut Lane Inn, Chick-fil-A, Perk’s Café and Catering, Mr. Salsa, Sysco Foods, Fatz Café, Rivera’s, Stomping Grounds, Wild Ace Pizza and Pub, The Clock
Auction item sponsors:
Southwest Airlines, Disney World, BMW, Michelin, Jerry Bruce, Dogwood Café, Christy and Ed Driggers, Leland and Walter Burch Families, Furniture Warehouse, Greer Country Club, River Falls Country Club, River Falls Plantation Golf, Links O’Tryon, Clint Greene Jr., Rose Marie Jordan
Gala patron sponsors:
Russell and Ruth Ashmore, Karl Beason Jr., Citizens Building & Loan, Skip and Amy Davenport, Dick Brooks Honda, Drs. Nease and Higginbotham, Orthodontics, Greenville Federal Credit Union, Greenville Technical College, GreerToday.com, McMakin Farms, Thomas and Rebecca Faulkner, Andrew and Mary Ellen Heaner, Barry and Colleen Keith, Park Sterling Bank, Roger and Virginia Sims, Jan Walker Prudential Team, Don and Ellen Wall, Nancy Welch and Bob Harrison, Wood Mortuary
Sponsors:Office Depot, print sponsor; F&W Printing, print sponsor; Copper River, beverage sponsor; Hale’s Jewelers, Diamond Dig sponsor
The Swingin' Medallions played several sets during the evening, which also included a Diamond Dig and a live auction.