System Information Technician Rebecca Kiekhafer paid forward $500 to Upstate Street Heart, a non-profit organization providing essential resources to people and families in need in the Greenville area.
Based in Mauldin, the grassroots organization was born from recognizing needs in the community during the pandemic, and has grown to aid families, moms, elderly neighbors, and unhoused individuals who need urgent help.
According to the group’s Facebook page, so far in 2026 they’ve:
- Shared 2,000+ diapers and baby supplies
- Delivered meals to families in need
- Paid rent to keep a mom and child housed
- Created school access
- Arranged rides to doctor appointments
- Helped repair a grieving mother’s car
- Covered prescriptions for children
Rebecca said, “As the saying goes, ‘it takes a village,’ and we could all use a hand sometimes. I’m grateful to be able to support those in our community who are struggling.”
To learn more, volunteer, or donate, visit upstatestreetheart.com, or contact info@upstatestreetheart.com.
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 come from Laurens Electric’s charity events, which employee volunteers make possible.