Throughout the past year, the Community Hero program – a collaboration between Greenville Federal Credit Union and The Greenville News – highlighted the generous, noble and impactful efforts of folks in the Upstate who work tirelessly (and often behind the scenes) to make our community a better place.
ICYMI, meet all the Heroes below.
December 2019: Will Snipes
Will is a Blue Ridge Middle School teacher and local minister who is recognized for mentoring students via Bible study. Meet Will here.
January 2020: Jen Holly
Jen is recognized for her significant efforts to support Communities in Schools (CIS) - Greenville, which led 29 kids to have a more joyful Christmas last year. Meet Jen here.
February 2020: Brad Wyche
As the founder of Upstate Forever, Brad is recognized for his passion for conservation and his work with the organization to help protect our region’s natural resources. Meet Brad here.
March 2020: Robert “Skeeter” Powell
Robert is the founder of David’s Table, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and fellowship for teens and young adults with disabilities. Meet him here.
April 2020: Debbi Spearman Addis
Debbie is the founder of the charitable knitting organization With These Hands, which knits and crochets hats, mittens + scarves for The Salvation Army Angel Tree. Last year the organization was able to donate 15,500+ items to the Angel Tree and local shelters. Meet Debbie here.
June 2020: Charlie Hall
Charlie is recognized for his role in founding Upstate Warrior Solution, a nonprofit advocacy organization that has helped make the Upstate a better place for thousands of veterans since its start in 2012. Meet him here.
July 2020: Reverend James Johnson
Rev. Johnson, leader of Friendship Baptist Church, is recognized for being instrumental in the redevelopment of the Freetown community. Meet James here.
August 2020: Ed and Frances Phillips
The Phillips have spent 70+ years serving and sharing their musical abilities at Miracle Hill Ministries. Meet them here.
Special shoutout to Healthcare Heroes:
Morgan Gregory, Yolanda IIarraza, Benjamin Fuentes, Luis Cortes, Chrissy Phillips and Sandra Davis are recognized for their significant role in ensuring New Horizon Family Health Services’ dental office, three medical locations, and three mobile medical/dental units are safe environments for patients + staff. Meet the team here.
September 2020: Redd Martin
Redd’s Sunday Dinner with a Twist provides hot meals and supplies to homeless families and individuals across the Upstate. Meet him here.
October 2020: Connie Lacquement
Connie is the founder of the PITCH (Providing Instruments to Children) program – which collects, repairs, and refurbishes donated instruments for use in local schools. Meet her here.
November 2020: Noel Jones
Noel is recognized for organizing an annual toy drive that gathers toys for struggling families in the community. Last Christmas, she gathered hundreds of toys which Greenville County Sheriff’s deputies then distributed to 60+ needy children. Noel was recently featured on Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family” tv show for her work. Meet her here. Ⓟ
December 2020: Bill Brightman
Bill, a U.S. Navy veteran, is recognized for founding Service Dogs for Veterans, which provides service dogs to disabled military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma. Meet Bill here.
Greenville Federal Credit Union and The Greenville News will continue Community Heroes recognition in 2021. If you know of someone that should be recognized, nominate them by sending an email to communityheroes@greenvillenews.com. In your nomination, explain why the person you are recommending is a community hero and provide your contact information. Ⓟ
