Financial Accountant Frank Harling paid forward $500 to the United Way of Greenville County COVID-19 Community Relief Fund.
According to the web site unitedwaygc.org/response, United Way is coordinating services with local nonprofits and community leaders to provide support for Greenville County’s most vulnerable neighbors during this critical time, such as food, shelter and access to basic healthcare needs.
Frank said, “I know from Laurens Electric’s annual United Way campaign that I can trust them to know what the needs are in the community where I live, and they have a track record of being able to do a lot with a little.”
The Community Relief Fund will focus on supporting local nonprofit organizations and coordinate with social service organizations and businesses focused on helping children and families, hourly wage earners, workers in the gig economy, older adults, people living with disabilities, and other vulnerable communities.
The first round of grants awarded $68,000 to provide emergency assistance with food and housing to Project Host, Mill Village Farms, Meals on Wheels, Harvest Hope, United Ministries, Safe Harbor and Miracle Hill.
Frank said, “We are fortunate at Laurens Electric to have the support of our leadership and co-workers, and resources to help us through difficult times. Not everyone in our community can say the same, so I wanted to give to an organization to help fill the needs of those impacted by COVID-19 here at home.”
Visit unitedwaygc.org/response for a list of community resources, volunteer opportunities or to donate.
The Pay It Forward program began in 2015.
Every Laurens Electric Cooperative employee is entered into a random drawing to receive $500 to pay forward in any way they choose. Each month a new name is drawn, and the employee then has one month to apply the funds toward their own act of kindness.
This initiative is budget-neutral; the funds will come from Laurens Electric’s charity events, which employee volunteers make possible.
Employees and the community will enable individual employees to help individuals in the community, and that’s a win-win situation.