Helping Hands of Clemson

 Blue Ridge Electric Co-op employee David Collins and Blue Ridge Security Solutions employee Dusty Reeves recently presented a check for $13,000 to Jennifer Barbour, executive director of Helping Hands of Clemson (far right). Also on hand for the presentation were Chris Thrift of Ace Pole Company, a corporate Fest sponsor, and Will Huss and Neal Workman of Trehel Corporation, also a Fest sponsor.

Pickens — Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and Blue Ridge Security Solutions have announced that the 17th annual Blue Ridge Fest, which took place on May 16, 2014, raised a total of $172,000 to benefit local non-profit organizations in Greenville, Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties. The festival also attracted more than 6,000 attendees and 450 classic cars.

Pickens County Meals on Wheels
Blue Ridge Electric Co-op employees David Collins, Tony Kelley and Ann Garren present a Blue Ridge Fest check for $13,000 to Pickens County Meals on Wheels. Accepting the check are Executive Director Meta Bowers and Sam Wyche, board member. Also on hand for the presentation are Fest corporate sponsors Tommy Bearden, owner of Bearden Landscaping and Bart Turner, vice president of South State Bank.

This year a number of nonprofits received funds from Blue Ridge Fest. The charities include Developmental Center for Exceptional Children, Dot’s Kitchen, Helping Hands of Clemson, Meals on Wheels of Anderson, North Greenville Food Crisis Ministry, Oconee Presbyterian Service Fund, Pickens County Meals on Wheels, Ripple of One, Rosa Clark Medical Clinic, Safe Harbor, Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County and United Christian Ministries. Since 1998, Blue Ridge Fest has donated nearly $1.8 million to numerous agencies in the Upstate area that provide individuals with basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, and health care. Representatives from both Blue Ridge Security Solutions and Blue Ridge Electric recently hosted check presentations for each non-profit organization receiving funds.

“The momentum behind this year’s Blue Ridge Fest enabled us to support our community at a very high level,” said Charles Dalton, president and CEO. “We’re pleased to continually assist a number of charitable organizations that serve individuals within our four-county region.”

The annual festival boasts the “Upstate’s largest classic-car cruise-in”, along with a beach night show and dance that features nationally known entertainers. Blue Ridge Fest is organized and executed by 250 Blue Ridge Electric and Blue Ridge Security

employee volunteers, enabling the festival to maximize its proceeds

to benefit local charities. The 2015 Blue Ridge Fest has been scheduled for Friday, May 8 at the cooperative’s headquarters in Pickens.

For more information about Blue Ridge Fest, visit www.blueridge.coop/blueridgefest or call (800) 240-3400.

United Christian Ministries
Blue Ridge Security employee Dusty Reeves and Blue Ridge Electric Co-op employees Michelle Watson and Alan Blackmon, recently presented a Blue Ridge Fest check in the amount of $13,000 to Executive Director, Teresa Nash, of United Christian Ministries. Also on hand for the presentation were Fest corporate sponsors, Wilburn Snyder of Sunset Vegetation Management, Will Ragsdale, Bill Ragsdale, Marc Ragsdale and Craig Ragsdale of Martin Printing Company, Inc.

Samaritan Health Clinic
From left, Blue Ridge Fest corporate sponsors Paul Gaughf, senior vice president of operations for Sumter Utilities, Judy Gillespie, personnel manager, Daniel Brazinski, manufacturing manager, Teresa Owens, corporate human resources manager, all of Cornell Dubilier, Spencer Dalton, owner of Solid Gold and Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative board director, join Blue Ridge Electric employees Michelle Watson, Tim Mays and Mark McCall present a $13,000 Blue Ridge Fest check to Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County. Accepting on behalf of Samaritan Health Clinic are Assistant Director, Nicki Dunn and Development Director, Griffin Hill.