Dozens of businesses in Spartanburg are showing their support for people living with disabilities and special needs. They’re helping The Charles Lea Center Foundation raise funds during the month of March. Typically, The Charles Lea Center Foundation would host a wine tasting event to help raise funds. But because of COVID-19, the foundation thought of a different way.”Creative way where we can help give back to locally owned businesses and in turn, they could help out the foundation,” said Marisa Cecil, president of Charles Lea Center Foundation.Cecil said 45 businesses are helping support the foundation during March which is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. “Some businesses are donating 10% back,” Cecil said. “Some are doing a match, some of them are giving us a surprise check.”The Miss Marion’s School of Dance raised more than $4,500 with a fundraiser. Cecil said it’s money that will go directly to the Charles Lea Center which serves more than 1,500 people with disabilities or special needs. “Really been quite emotional, it’s incredible to see the community come together,” said Cecil. WYFF News 4 spoke to some businesses participating. Hub City Delivery is giving 10% of proceeds back to the foundation this week. “I feel like that’s what local is all about,” Sarah Petty, owner of Hub City Delivery, said. “It’s about helping each other, building bridges and creating awareness.”On Friday, March 26th, RJ Rockers will be donating $1 to the foundation for every pint sold between 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. “It doesn’t take a day off and even in a pandemic it’s more and more critical to take care of these people,” said Mark Johnsen, founder and brewer at RJ Rockers. Johnsen has a brother with special needs. He says he understands the importance of having a place like the Charles Lea Center in the community. “It really does take special people to take care of people with special needs,” said Johnsen.For more information on how you can support local businesses and the Charles Lea Center Foundation at the same time, click here.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. —
Dozens of businesses in Spartanburg are showing their support for people living with disabilities and special needs. They’re helping The Charles Lea Center Foundation raise funds during the month of March.
Typically, The Charles Lea Center Foundation would host a wine tasting event to help raise funds. But because of COVID-19, the foundation thought of a different way.
“Creative way where we can help give back to locally owned businesses and in turn, they could help out the foundation,” said Marisa Cecil, president of Charles Lea Center Foundation.
Cecil said 45 businesses are helping support the foundation during March which is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
“Some businesses are donating 10% back,” Cecil said. “Some are doing a match, some of them are giving us a surprise check.”
The Miss Marion’s School of Dance raised more than $4,500 with a fundraiser. Cecil said it’s money that will go directly to the Charles Lea Center which serves more than 1,500 people with disabilities or special needs.
“Really been quite emotional, it’s incredible to see the community come together,” said Cecil.
WYFF News 4 spoke to some businesses participating. Hub City Delivery is giving 10% of proceeds back to the foundation this week.
“I feel like that’s what local is all about,” Sarah Petty, owner of Hub City Delivery, said. “It’s about helping each other, building bridges and creating awareness.”
On Friday, March 26th, RJ Rockers will be donating $1 to the foundation for every pint sold between 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
“It doesn’t take a day off and even in a pandemic it’s more and more critical to take care of these people,” said Mark Johnsen, founder and brewer at RJ Rockers.
Johnsen has a brother with special needs. He says he understands the importance of having a place like the Charles Lea Center in the community.
“It really does take special people to take care of people with special needs,” said Johnsen.
For more information on how you can support local businesses and the Charles Lea Center Foundation at the same time, click here.