“It is grant season!” said Traci Boyles, Director of Early Childhood and Elementary Education for the School District of Pickens County. This statement accompanied the “Request for Proposal” link to one of our major funding sources for Camp iRock.

She’s wasn’t kidding.

In just three weeks, we had grant deadlines for three of our largest funders. It’s not like you can write one proposal and use it for all the others either. Each funder has unique objectives and results they want us to accomplish with their money.

A lot of people like to complain about paying taxes but not me. I understand that the roads I drive on, the EMS and other services I rely on to keep me safe, and public education that I care about so much, is funded, in part, by my taxes and I am okay with it.

I am also very fortunate that my better half is a trained tax preparer. Except for having to divulge how much money “I give away” and addressing my lack of personal paper management, it’s a pretty good deal for me.

Camp iRock was named a finalist for the 2017 Dick and Tunky Riley WhatWorksSC Award for Excellence.

PICKENS COUNTY- April 27, 2017

CLEMSON- March 23, 2017

We are so proud of the 16 Clemson University business students who are volunteering for the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program this year. Rick Uhlmann wrote a wonderful story on these students for the Clemson University Newsstand. You can read the story here.

EASLEY- On March 9, the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce presented its Annual Small Business Awards at Tri-County Technical College-Easley Campus. Sponsored by Sam’s Club of Easley, several businesses and individuals were honored for their leadership and community service.

Camp iRock is rocking all across Pickens County this year.

The innovative reading-improvement camp that started a year ago in one school has expanded to three schools, in Easley, Pickens and Liberty.

“Because of the amazing results that we saw long-term, not only in students’ academic achievement but also with behaviors and attitudes, everybody was on board and was excited about expanding and serving the entire county,” said Alida Gardiner, director of operations for the Pickens County YMCA.

EASLEY — In late April, State Superintendent of Education, Molly M. Spearman announced that Camp iRock, a collaboration of United Way of Pickens County, the School District of Pickens County and the Pickens County YMCA was one of fourteen recipients to receive funding through the Summer Reading Camp Community Partnership Grant.

The entire application process was a “first” for the three partners, who have grown so close over the past year. When the opportunity for funding was announced, there was a very short window of time to complete the application.

PICKENS COUNTY — Pickens County First Steps, in conjunction with The United Way, celebrated the opening of the agency’s newest addition to the Born Learning trail system with a ribbon cutting held at “Tottie’s Place.”

Born learning trails work by taking existing parks and trails and adding educational signage and learning prompts geared toward young children and their caregivers.

“Look around you,” one sign reads. “Do you hear the birds? Sing along with them!”