Lutheran Services Carolinas

LSC and Aston Park, our Asheville senior care community, are grateful to The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina for awarding $25,000 from its Emergency and Disaster Response Fund to help cover hurricane-related expenses. This grant will help defray the cost of generator fuel, water deliveries (pictured below), and portable handwashing stations and toilets. We are humbled to be part of such a generous community and region. #HurricaneHelene

LSC recently held its South Carolina Shepherd Society luncheon at 300 Senate in Columbia, South Carolina. Shepherd Society members are recognized symbols of caring and leadership and are an honorary group of donors and volunteers whose level of commitment provides core resources to lift up LSC’s services. Members of the society meet one of the following three criteria: - Give a total of $1,000 or more in a calendar year - Name LSC a beneficiary in their estate plan - Contribute 100 hours or more per calendar year of volunteer time to an LSC ministry providing invaluable support and services During the luncheon we announced that Home Depot Store #1106 is our South Carolina Philanthropist of the Year. This award recognizes individuals, families, or organizations who demonstrate extraordinary financial commitment and whole-hearted support for the LSC ministry. We also announced this year’s Worker of Wonders (WOW) Award winners in South Carolina are Second Saturday USA and Dupre Catering & Events. This award recognizes individuals, families, or organizations who demonstrate extraordinary financial commitment and whole-hearted support for the LSC ministry. Two awards are given each year – one in South Carolina and one in North Carolina.

LSC Community Engagement Director Sarah Quinney recently collected gift baskets for the women at Kinard Manor Recovery Home from the women of Living Springs Lutheran Church, Columbia SC! Thank you so much for your generous hearts! This means so much to our clients to feel your love, prayers and support.

Lutheran Services Carolinas held its Shepherd Society event for the Triad region at Trinity Elms. Shepherd Society members are recognized symbols of caring and leadership and are an honorary group of donors and volunteers whose level of commitment provides core resources to lift up LSC’s services. Members of the society meet one of the following three criteria: - Give a total of $1,000 or more in a calendar year - Name LSC a beneficiary in their estate plan - Contribute 100 hours or more per calendar year of volunteer time to an LSC ministry providing invaluable support and services Eric and Grace Hoyle were also announced as the North Carolina Philanthropists of the Year. Eric Hoyle is a former member of the LSC Board of Trustees. This award recognizes individuals, families, or organizations who demonstrate extraordinary financial commitment and whole-hearted support for the LSC ministry. Two awards are given each year – one in South Carolina and one in North Carolina.

"At Lutheran Services Carolinas, we’ve worked in South Carolina for over 30 years to give foster children a loving home and have successfully placed thousands of children in foster homes. However, our ability to continue to serve foster children in need is directly supported by foster parents willing to open their homes and hearts, and the need for foster parents in South Carolina is pressing."

This year, LSC Board members gathered both in person and virtually for the annual board retreat at The Venue in Columbia, SC. The retreat began Sunday afternoon with the board learning about Lutheran Services Carolinas' child and family programs in South Carolina. LSC New Americans Program Executive Director Nixmarie Ruiz Perez and Columbia Resettlement Director Seth Hershberger provided an update on the program. Afterwards, the board toured the LSC Transitional Foster Care for Unaccompanied Children led by Program Director Sara Ramsey. Following the tour, LSC Board members and teammates enjoyed fellowship and a shared meal. Monday morning, the board resumed discussions on LSC business, including a presentation on AI by Chief Information Officer Mary Glidewell. They also heard from two special guests: State Director Mike Leach from the SC Dept. of Social Services and Renada Johnson, Senior Director of Children, Youth, and Family Initiatives at Lutheran Services in America, who provided a State of the Union address.

This Veterans Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed to protect our freedom. Their courage, resilience, and dedication inspire us to strive for a better future. Let’s take a moment to recognize their service, remember their stories, and honor their legacy. To all veterans, thank you for your unwavering commitment and the sacrifices you’ve made for our country. We are forever grateful. #VeteransDay #HonorOurHeroes #ThankYouVeterans

Congratulations to LSC New Americans Program Greenville Resettlement Director Amberly Chirolla for receiving the Outstanding Contribution to International Diversity Award from the Greenville Chamber and The Riley Institute at Furman!

It has been a little over a month since Helene impacted Western North Carolina and the Upstate in South Carolina. Since that time, LSC has worked diligently to make sure residents and clients are safe. LSC teammates continue to show up to work every day even though they are dealing with their own personal tragedies. Your support is making a difference to the 270 plus teammates who live and work in the impacted regions. Your support helps LSC and partners ensure that 1,487 residents and clients in the most devastated areas receive the care and support they need. Your support will continue to help LSC serve survivors over the next several months and years. The work continues and we are grateful for all who have found ways to support us, whether financially or through donated items. If you want to help us continue this support through the long haul, visit https://lnkd.in/ekWr-Mmq and select "Disaster Relief" in the drop-down menu. Thank you for your generosity.

Every member of the LSC family (residents, clients, family members, teammates, and friends) who is a United States citizen is encouraged to vote today. We don't tell people how to vote, but we encourage every American to exercise this sacred right. Where to vote: To find your polling place, visit https://www.ncsbe.gov/ in North Carolina and https://scvotes.gov/ in South Carolina.