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Daily Archives: 11/22/2022

Dream Center among state’s Angel charities

By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com

STATE — The Dream Center of Pickens County was recently recognized for devoting 95 percent of its total expenses to its charitable programs.

The center was among 10 charities recently recognized for being a charity that is “a good steward of contributions.”

South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond recognized 10 Angel charities at a news conference on Nov. 16.

“As your secretary of state, I have the duty of enforcing the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act, of raising public awareness of the need to be vigilant when making charitable donations,” Hammond said.

Twenty-four years ago, the secretary of state’s office began the tradition of recognizing “Angel and Scrooge” charities before Thanksgiving, he said.

“The holiday season marks a time of giving and increased solicitations,” Hammond said. “The purpose of this announcement has been to recognize charities that are good stewards of contributions and to educate the public of the need to do their research before making a donation.”

In recent years, instead of naming specific organizations as Scrooges, his office has released a Wise Giving Report as part of International Charity Fraud Awareness Week in October, Hammond said.

“This report provides a tip on how to evaluate charities and questions that all donors should ask,” he said. “For example, if you receive a solicitation, you should check to see if the charity is registered to solicit in South Carolina and how much of their expenses are devoted to their charitable programs.”

“You can do this by using the charities search feature on our website,” Hammond continued. “Before making a donation, you should always ask how much of your donation will go to the charity and how much is being spent on fundraising costs. If you have concerns about a charity, professional fundraiser or a raffle, please notify our office.”

The report includes a “Give Smart Watch List” of 10 organizations soliciting in South Carolina that have failed to spend a significant percentage of donations on their charitable programs, he said.

“Public charities serve an important role in our communities,” Hammond said.

South Carolina nonprofits employ nearly 6 percent of the state’s workforce “and generate more than $17 billion in annual revenue,” he said.

The charities selected as Angels “represent what we believe to be shining examples of public service and good stewardship,” he said.

To be recognized as an Angel, a charity must devote 80 percent or more of its total expenses to charitable programs.

To recognize as many organizations as possible, his office only recognizes Angel organizations one time, Hammond said.

“Please don’t call me and ask why you weren’t recognized next year,” he told the crowd. “You are not a fallen Angel. You are still an Angel.”

Deputy Secretary of State Melissa Dunlap announced this year’s selected charities.

The Dream Center of Pickens County devotes 95 percent of its total expenses to its charitable programs, she said.

“The purpose of the Dream Center of Pickens County is to encourage, educate and empower people in need with a hand up, not a handout,” Dunlap said. “The Dream Center of Pickens County’s primary program shelters the homeless (and) educates them to become independent and self-sufficient citizens.

“The Dream Center operates Opportunity Village, which is a yearlong homeless shelter which provides 23 tiny houses and 10 transitional houses to shelter women and children in need,” she continued. “In addition to housing, Opportunity Village programs assist residents through an individual success plan, which includes services of a case manager, a financial coach and a care coach.”

The Dream Center also offers crisis intervention, as well as free classes in budgeting, parenting and healthy lifestyle choices, Dunlap said.

The other Angels recognized this year are Cancer Association of Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties Inc., Child Advocacy Center of Aiken County, Defenders For Children, Mercy Medicine Free Clinic, Operation Home Inc., Programs for Exceptional People, Restore Mobility for the Blind, Sharing God’s Love Inc. and The Village Group.

The Wise Giving Report can be found at sos.sc.gov.

“It is our hope that the report will give charitable donors the tools they need to make wise giving decisions,” Hammond said.

Learn more about the Dream Center of Pickens County at dreamcenterpc.org.

Quilt raffle set to end Dec. 21

This quilt, which is being raffled off as a fundraiser, was completed by the Granger Fiber Arts quilters at the Hagood Community Center in Pickens during 2022. The blue and white quilt was machine pieced, hand marked and hand quilted on a quilt frame in the fiber arts room at the center. The quilt measures 60 inches by 70 inches. The Ohio Star is a traditional pattern. It is a nine-patch quilt block made with five plain squares and four quarter-square triangle units. The eight points form a star. The pattern has been used since 1803, when Ohio became a state. Tickets for the quilt raffle are $2 each or three for $5. The drawing will be held in the Hagood Community Center dining room during lunch on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

Embracing the lighter side this Thanksgiving

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, let us turn away from the toxic negativity that has darkened the view of the world for so many of us these days and embrace the lighter side.

There are a whole lot more good and wonderful things to be thankful for than there are things to be complaining about.

Need I list some of them? I think you already know pretty much what they are: sunshine, family and friends, the love of God, a comfortable standard of living — and that just about anybody

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Much to be thankful for

I’ve always enjoyed Thanksgiving with my family, but many times I become distracted from the intended purpose. Between football, conversations and pumpkin pie, it’s easy to forget how much we have to be thankful for.

Sadly, many have forgotten or maybe they have never known the history of human suffering that is associated with the Pilgrims. It’s been recorded that the new colony was focused on giving God thanks for His blessings and protection, as William Bradford is quoted, “Being thus arrived

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Courier Letters to the Editor 11-23-22

No justice to be found?

Dear Editor,

On Dec. 30, 2021, my 1998 Toyota Tacoma was stolen from my yard, located near Liberty and in Pickens County. Deputies with the sheriff’s office did an awesome job in recovering my truck and arresting two suspects.

Since that day, I’ve been an active part of the justice system. I’ve filled out paperwork, collected estimates in repairing the damage to my truck and been in the courtroom for every hearing.

Tuesday, Nov. 15, was my 12th appearance in court, for an expected plea by one of the suspects.

When the case was called, I, along with an advocate and another of their victims, stood for the charges. A Pickens County deputy walked over

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County volleyball stars earn statewide honors

By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com

COUNTY — After an extremely successful season that saw two county volleyball teams advance to the third round of the playoffs and one advance all the way to the state championship game, Pickens County has seen seven local players earn statewide honors.

Starting with the Class 2A Upper State champion Liberty Red Devils, two players earned distinct honors. Liberty senior hitter Skyler Clayborn was the lone Red Devil named to the 2A All-State team selected by the South Carolina Coaches Association of Women’s Sports (SCCAWS). While not selected to the All-State team, Liberty’s do-it-all senior setter Teagan Owens was named a member of the North

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County tipoff

Photos by Jessica Mackey/Courier

Pickens County high schools kicked off basketball season last week with the second-annual Pickens County Basketball Jamboree at Liberty High School. All four county schools were represented during the games, with the Easley squads taking on Liberty and Daniel facing off with Pickens. The games were contested in single 20-minute halves with a running clock. Easley took both of the matchups with Liberty, winning 24-2 in the girls’ game and 24-8 in the boys’ matchup. In the other games, the Pickens girls downed Daniel16-4, while the Daniel boys cruised to a 31-13 win over the Blue Flame. Pictured, clockwise from top left, are Pickens’ Jayden Harden looking for an outlet while being guarded by Daniel’s Destiny Hoover, Liberty’s Alex Peraza laying in a ball against the outstretched arm of Easley’s Carson Freeze, Daniel’s Tristyn Carrington driving by Pickens’ Tucker Perry on his way to the hoop and Easley’s Olivia Gramblin shooting over the top of the Red Devil defense. The season will get into full swing for all four county teams over the next few weeks.

Powdersville stuns Daniel with late score to halt streak

By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com

POWDERSVILLE — Hanging on to a 35-28 lead with just 14 seconds left in the game, the Daniel Lions needed just one more stop in Friday night’s third-round playoff battle at Powdersville.

The Daniel defense, which had rounded into one of the state’s best after having to replace eight starters to startthe year, had been battered by 46 Patriot rushes, and on the third-down play from the Lions’ 1-yard line, they were unable to stop Powdersville quarterback Eli Hudgins from getting to the edge and cutting the lead to 35-34 with 8 seconds remaining.

Luckily for Daniel, the Patriots gave the Lions another chance for a game-winning stop as they elected to try

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Clemson defense makes statement in win over Miami

 

By Ian Taylor
Courtesy The Journal
news@thepccourier.com

CLEMSON — Clemson will finish the year with at least 10 wins for the 12th time in a row after dismantling Miami 40-10 at home on Saturday.

The No. 9 Tigers (10-1, 8-0 ACC) now have the second-longest active streak of 10-win seasons in the country — only behind Alabama’s streak

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GEORGE BONEY

PICKENS — Mr. George Boney, 95, passed away on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, at his home.

George was born in Cades on Dec. 6, 1926, to the late George and Lucy Bracy Boney. He went to school in Sumter and graduated from Edmunds High School in June 1944.

George served in the Army Air Corps and later in the Air Force. He worked as a watchmaker at Pace Jewelers in Pickens from 1954 until he retired. George was a member of Pickens Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon and was a member of the men’s chorus. He also served on the Pickens City Council from 1983-2003.

Mr. Boney is survived by his loving wife, Patricia M. Boney; one daughter, Cynthia D. Boney of