The Reserve at Lake Keowee Sets Another Fund Raising Record for the Local Community

Each year during this season of giving, The Reserve at Lake Keowee's Charitable Foundation distributes a special donation to eight local Upstate charities. The Charitable Foundation unveiled another record-breaking year with a gift of $150,000. Since the Foundation's inception in 2006 it has raised and donated $691,000 to local charities.

On Tuesday, December 5th, Representatives from each local charity gathered at Founders Hall in The Reserve's Village for the special announcement and funds disbursement. A special Christmas concert featuring music by Jenn Bostic and John Patti followed the charity check presentation.

The 2017 beneficiaries of The Reserve at Lake Keowee Charitable Foundation's annual gift include:

• Helping Hands Children's Shelter
• Feed a Hungry Child
• Pickens County Meals on Wheels
• Pickens Senior Center
• Ripple of One
• Safe Harbor
• Samaritan's Health
• Family Promise

"The good these eight charities accomplish is inspiring," said Anita Arms, Chairman of The Reserve at Lake Keowee Charitable Foundation Board of Trustees. "The entire Reserve community appreciates the dedication and effort these organizations put into helping people in Pickens County. The Reserve Charitable Foundation is proud to give back to our community."

Three fundraising events throughout the year make this $150,000 gift possible: The Reserve at Lake Keowee's 2017 Charity Golf Classic and Auction, the community's Garden Club Home Tour, and its Swine and Dine Dinner & Auction. These events are made possible through hundreds of volunteer hours, sponsorships and donations from local businesses and individuals.

Kathy Brazinski, Co-Founder and President of Feed a Hungry Child says, "If ever there was a fairy tale come true, The Reserve Charitable Foundation is the fairy tale that has given hungry children the opportunity to eat nutritious food on the weekends. Since the Reserve Foundation has been so generous over the years nearly $100,000 has been donated to our organization, this has provided 16,667 meals for children in Pickens County. We believe in blessings and The Reserve Foundation has been a blessing to children in need. There can never be enough thanks and appreciation given to the residents of The Reserve."

Leslie Flynn, Board member for Family Promise, stated, "We are deeply grateful for the Reserve's generosity in helping those in need in our community."

The Charitable Foundation in partnership with the Reserve's Garden Club recently held an "Evening of Christmas Inspiration" home tour event at The Reserve at Lake Keowee to kick start the fundraising for 2018. Reserve Residents, the Neely's and Moorcroft's opened their exquisitely decorated homes and shared decadent hors d'oeuvres as part of this fundraising event for the Charitable Foundation. Funds were raised from donated raffle items.

To be considered as beneficiary non-profit charitable organizations may apply by November 30 each year via The Reserve at Lake Keowee's website. The Foundation's Outreach Committee reviews applications, and all members of The Reserve at Lake Keowee vote upon a vetted list of finalists. Selected beneficiaries are notified in March, and The Reserve disburses funds in December.

About The Reserve at Lake Keowee Community and Charitable Foundations

The Reserve at Lake Keowee Community Foundation is a non-profit organization created to enhance the quality of life at The Reserve and in the local area while fulfilling a sense of community and philanthropy for The Reserve's members. The Community Foundation sponsors regular cultural events, including concerts, plays, lectures, and an Artist in Residence. The Foundation has four major functions: 1.) Help preserve the area's natural resources through environmental stewardship; 2.) Provide educational programs for The Reserve's members and guests; 3.) Promote an arts program at The Reserve; and 4.) Provide outreach activities for neighboring communities in Pickens County, S.C., through The Reserve at Lake Keowee's 501(c)(3) Charitable Foundation.