Healthy Living, Lifelong Learning

The Cliffs Residents Outreach - Paying it Forward

Cliffs Residents Outreach
Published on January 25, 2018

Americans are the most charitable people in the world and according to Philanthropy Roundtable, the trend continues to rise. Like blue jeans and Coca-Cola, this boomer trend is impactful. Statistically married couples, college graduates and Republicans give almost twice as much as their counterparts. Yes, not all boomers are generous and no where is that more obvious than as we compare master planned communities.

Master planned communities provide an easy social structure for group activities beyond card games and movie nights. Over the last decade, this may be one of the popular places where the ‘giving seeds’ sprouted.

Watching communities of people gift their time and resources to others, instead of focusing on themselves is beautiful. The type of volunteerism we’re seeing here is not about egos or gold plaques on the wall. In fact, it’s hard to find the benefactors names unless they are a supporting business.

We are seeing residents band together trailblazing new paths, making the world a better place for tomorrow. And at The Cliffs communities, this means focusing on the kids, the future of tomorrow.

The Cliffs is seven exceptional luxury private golf communities positioned around the beautiful Lake Keowee and tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains. They proudly welcome new friends to their communities and are passionate about improving the lives of others by giving not only through financial support, but donating time, energy and care to serve the causes they believe in.

Back in 2007, they formed Cliffs Residents Outreach (CRO) synchronizing their efforts by supporting a wide variety of student programs helping kids in the Upstate.  It is a 100% volunteer organization focused on literacy, nutrition and mentoring for kids in Greenville, Pickens and Oconee Counties in South Carolina.

Residents and members of The Cliffs volunteer countless hours and share their talents with educational organizations, local children's charities, arts and cultural organizations, fire departments, sports charities, hospital foundations, environmental organizations, parks and other local groups in nearby towns, including Greenville and Asheville.

Since its inception, CRO has raised over $3 million to benefit children of the Upstate. 2017 was another record breaking year. CRO equipped over 5,000 children from early childhood through college for success by raising over $500,000 and donating 18,000 volunteer hours.

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove in Asheville has another focused volunteer group called the Walnut Cove Members Association (WCMA). To date, the WCMA has awarded 270 grants, totaling nearly $1 million to local charities, including the Buncombe County Special Olympics, Mission Children’s Hospital, Asheville Humane Society and more.

All of this is in addition to The Cliffs organization supporting dozens of local charities by contributing special experience packages for fundraising auctions. Significant charitable fundraising events this year included:

  • Chromebook Carts Greenville School - August $30,000
  • Day Before the Rainbow Rescue and Adoption - October $4,500
  • Upstate Warrior Solution - November $46,248
  • Safe Harbor - November $32,500

In addition to various fundraising events and efforts happening in 2018, Cliffs Residents Outreach has been selected as a charitable beneficiary for the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation. The tournament, which will take place May 17-20 at The Cliffs Valley, will benefit CRO through donations, volunteer registration and tournament participation.

Volunteerism and charity are a reflection of love and kindness.  And to us, it is like a looking glass revealing the types of personalities who live in a community. While choosing the right home and neighborhood is critical to long term happiness, living in a community with people who care about others is blissful too.

We encourage you to explore The Cliffs, to learn more about the healthy and fulfilling lifestyle found in the Western Carolinas. 

Call The Cliffs directly at 864-249-4503 to schedule a visit.