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Blue Ridge announces festival donations

Feed A Hungry Child — From left, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc. employees Tony Kelley, Bryan Roper and David Collins are joined by Blue Ridge Fest sponsors Eloise Hiott of Hiott Printing, (also representing Representative Davey Hiott), and Richie Tallman of Bi-Lo of Pickens as they present $13,000 to Feed a Hungry Child. Accepting on behalf of the charity is Mike Parrott, who serves as treasurer of the board.

Feed A Hungry Child — From left, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc. employees Tony Kelley, Bryan Roper and David Collins are joined by Blue Ridge Fest sponsors Eloise Hiott of Hiott Printing, (also representing Representative Davey Hiott), and Richie Tallman of Bi-Lo of Pickens as they present $13,000 to Feed a Hungry Child. Accepting on behalf of the charity is Mike Parrott, who serves as treasurer of the board.

UPSTATE — Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative has announced that the 16th annual Blue Ridge Fest, which took place on May 10, raised a total of $183,000 to benefit local non-profit organizations in Greenville, Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties. With the 2013 event producing a record-breaking amount, the festival also attracted more than 6,000 attendees, the largest number to date.

Mary’s House — Representatives of Blue Ridge Fest, the annual classic car cruise-in event hosted by Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc. and Blue Ridge Security, were joined by representatives from Bearden Landscaping and South Carolina Bank & Trust, Blue Ridge Fest sponsors, to present a check for $13,000 to Mary’s House. Pictured, from left, are Dusty Reeves, Sales Manager, Blue Ridge Security Inc.; Denise McCormick, Manager of Customer Service and Marketing, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc.; Tommy Bearden, Bearden Landscaping; Ryan Jones, Assistant Branch Manager, South Carolina Bank & Trust; Lisa Smith Cope, Executive Director, Mary’s House; and Chris Koth, Board Treasurer, Mary’s House.

Mary’s House — Representatives of Blue Ridge Fest, the annual classic car cruise-in event hosted by Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc. and Blue Ridge Security, were joined by representatives from Bearden Landscaping and South Carolina Bank & Trust, Blue Ridge Fest sponsors, to present a check for $13,000 to Mary’s House. Pictured, from left, are Dusty Reeves, Sales Manager, Blue Ridge Security Inc.; Denise McCormick, Manager of Customer Service and Marketing, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc.; Tommy Bearden, Bearden Landscaping; Ryan Jones, Assistant Branch Manager, South Carolina Bank & Trust; Lisa Smith Cope, Executive Director, Mary’s House; and Chris Koth, Board Treasurer, Mary’s House.

This year, each non-profit will receive at least $13,000 in funding from the Blue Ridge Fest. This year’s recipients from the Pickens area include Feed a Hungry Child, Mary’s House, Sabrina House Children’s Charity, Samaritan Health Clinic and United Christian Ministries. The additional charities include Harvest Hope Food Bank, Hidden Treasure Christian School, Anderson Free Clinic, Foothills Alliance, Arc of the Tribble Center, Dot’s Kitchen, Rosa Clark Medical Clinic and SHARE. Since 1998, Blue Ridge Fest has donated nearly $1.6 million to numerous agencies in the Upstate area that provide individuals with basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, and health care. Representatives from both Blue Ridge Security Systems and Blue Ridge Electric will host check presentations for each non-profit organization receiving funds.

Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County — Representatives of Blue Ridge Fest and Martin Printing Company, sponsor of Blue Ridge Fest, present a check for $13,000 to Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County. Pictured, from left, Michelle Watson, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative; Elaine Banks, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and board member of Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County; Tobias Vogel, Executive Director, Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County; Craig Ragsdale, Martin Printing Company; Bill Ragsdale, Martin Printing Company; and Will Ragsdale, Martin Printing Company.

Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County — Representatives of Blue Ridge Fest and Martin Printing Company, sponsor of Blue Ridge Fest, present a check for $13,000 to Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County. Pictured, from left, Michelle Watson, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative; Elaine Banks, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and board member of Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County; Tobias Vogel, Executive Director, Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County; Craig Ragsdale, Martin Printing Company; Bill Ragsdale, Martin Printing Company; and Will Ragsdale, Martin Printing Company.

“Blue Ridge Fest was founded on the belief that giving back to our community should be a top priority,” said Charles Dalton, president and CEO. “We’re very excited that this year’s event is enabling us to support our local areas in a larger capacity than ever.”

United Christian Ministries — Representatives of Blue Ridge Fest were joined by representatives from Henry D. Nix Co. and Cornell Dubilier, sponsors of Blue Ridge Fest, to present a check for $13,000 to United Christian Ministries. Pictured, from left, are Michelle Watson, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc.; Anson Perry, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc.; Kevin Lewis, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc.; Damion Ownens, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc.; Alan Blackmon, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc; Dewan Nix, Henry D. Nix Co.; Judy Gillespie, Cornell Dubilier; Pat Case, Assistant Director, United Christian Ministries; and Bryan Hester, board member, United Christian Ministries.

United Christian Ministries — Representatives of Blue Ridge Fest were joined by representatives from Henry D. Nix Co. and Cornell Dubilier, sponsors of Blue Ridge Fest, to present a check for $13,000 to United Christian Ministries. Pictured, from left, are Michelle Watson, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc.; Anson Perry, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc.; Kevin Lewis, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc.; Damion Ownens, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc.; Alan Blackmon, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc; Dewan Nix, Henry D. Nix Co.; Judy Gillespie, Cornell Dubilier; Pat Case, Assistant Director, United Christian Ministries; and Bryan Hester, board member, United Christian Ministries.

The annual festival boasts the “Upstate’s largest classic-car cruise-in,” along with a beach night show and dance that features nationally known entertainers. Blue Ridge Fest is organized and executed by 250 Blue Ridge Electric and Blue Ridge Security employee volunteers, enabling the festival to maximize its proceeds to benefit local charities. The 2014 Blue Ridge Fest has been scheduled for Friday, May 16, at the cooperative’s headquarters in Pickens.

For more information about Blue Ridge Fest, visit www.blueridge.coop/blueridgefest or call (800) 240-3400.

Sabrina House Children’s Charity — Representatives of Blue Ridge Fest, WYFF 4 and Andrew Pickens Designs, sponsors of Blue Ridge Fest, present a check for $14,000 to Sabrina House Children’s Charity. Pictured, from left, are Tina House and Billy House, parents of Sabrina House; Tony Kelley, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative; Andy Pickens, Andrew Pickens Design; John Cessarich, Meteorologist, WYFF 4; Carol Goldsmith, News Anchor, WYFF 4; and John Soapes, General Manager, WYFF 4.

Sabrina House Children’s Charity — Representatives of Blue Ridge Fest, WYFF 4 and Andrew Pickens Designs, sponsors of Blue Ridge Fest, present a check for $14,000 to Sabrina House Children’s Charity. Pictured, from left, are Tina House and Billy House, parents of Sabrina House; Tony Kelley, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative; Andy Pickens, Andrew Pickens Design; John Cessarich, Meteorologist, WYFF 4; Carol Goldsmith, News Anchor, WYFF 4; and John Soapes, General Manager, WYFF 4.