Welcome to the United Way of Aiken County for Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Success Stories

Helping Hands, Inc. has been a United Way agency for over thirty years.

Community partnerships have been the foundation of Helping Hands, Inc. since its inception. Today, this legacy continues. On behalf of the children, staff, volunteers and board of directors, we thank the United Way of Aiken County, Inc. and the community for supporting our programs and providing a safe haven for children at risk.

In 2005 Helping Hands, Inc. will proudly celebrate 32 years of caring for South Carolina’s children. Having grown from a single family dwelling to the current 4.2 acre campus, our residential facilities can accommodate a maximum of 58 children a day whose ages range from birth through 21 years. Over the past year, Helping Hands, Inc. has been “home” for an average of 48 children per day. From January 2004 through October 2004, we have cared for 168 children.

In 2004, Helping Hands, Inc. received several grants to further expand our facility and our services. These Grants include: Bridgestone-Firestone/ Success By Six Childcare Enhancement Grant, SC Department of Public Safety State Victims Assistance Grant, SC State Office of Economic Opportunity Emergency Shelter Grant, and Aiken County Public Schools Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Grant. We are currently partnering with Aiken Housing Authority in securing the SC Housing Trust Fund.

In 2004, we also participated in some very successful special fundraisers. These events included the Triple Crown Golf Classic, which raised over $5,000, and A Chef’s Extravaganza, which raised over $11,000. In 2005, Woodside Plantation Country Club will sponsor a Casino Night and Mardi Gras Gala and partial proceeds will benefit Helping Hands, Inc. as well.

We wish to express our thanks and gratitude to local businesses, civic groups and organizations for all of their support. Through donations and contributions, our clothing and food warehouses are full and volunteerism is at an all time high. In 2004, volunteers contributed over 10,000 hours due largely to the success of Project VISION, which is a United Way Volunteer event whose acronyms mean “Volunteers in Service in Our Neighborhoods.”

With the continuing support of residents of Aiken and surrounding counties, we can continue to touch the lives of children throughout South Carolina.

Upcoming Events: Please note that for more information they should contact our agency at (803) 648-3456.

• February 5, 2005 Casino Night and Mardi Gras Gala (exclusive event)
• March 23, 2005 Triple Crown Golf Classic
• June 17, 2005 A Chef’s Extravaganza

The location for all of these events: Woodside Plantation Country Club