Billy Wilkes, of the Brighter Christmas Fund presents a donation to DSS Director Chad McBride and DSS staff members alongside Dean Woods
Brighter Christmas Fund board member Butch Hughes coordinated a grant distribution event at the Foundation on December 8th attended by Chad McBride, Anderson County DSS Director and five homeless student coordinators from Anderson County School Districts One, Two, Three, Four and Five.
Foundation president Dean Woods explained that the Brighter Christmas Fund’s mission to help children and families at Christmas has not changed, but the traditional application process was amended this year in order to prevent the spread of exposure to COVID 19.
Mr. Hughes presented $15,000 to the Anderson County Department of Social Services to provide Christmas gifts for all children in DSS foster care.
Billy Wilkes, left and Butch Hughes, at right, present a gift to Lisa Butler, homeless student liaison at Anderson County School District Five
Amber Monterroyo, center, accepts the gift to Anderson School District One from the Brighter Christmas Fund
Teresa Phillips, center, accepts the donation from the Brighter Christmas Fund on behalf of Anderson
School District Two
Susan Brown, Center accepts a donation from the Brighter Christmas Fund on behalf of Anderson
School District Three.
Jeff Burke, center, accepts the gift to Anderson School District Four from the Brighter Christmas Fund.
Mr. Hughes awarded individual checks from the Brighter Christmas Fund to Anderson County School Districts One, Two, Three, Four and Five totaling $20,000. District Five’s liaison, Lisa Butler explains that there are hundreds of students in Anderson County that share spaces with friends, doubled up or sleeping on family members’ couches, some even living in hotels, cars or tents.
Checks payable to: BRIGHTER CHRISTMAS FUND can be delivered to SunTrust Bank, 907 North Main Street, Anderson SC 29621 or mailed to Foothills Community Foundation, P. O. Box 1228, Anderson SC 29622.
Online gifts to Brighter Christmas: www.FoothillsFoundation.org Select the DONATE button under Giving; choose Brighter Christmas Fund from the drop-down menu.