AAGC Charities
AAGC Cares
The AAGC is committed to supporting local charities and entities in the Midlands that change peoples lives. Whether it's through fundraising events like our Charity Golf Tournament or Clay Shoot, volunteering in the community, service projects, or monetary donations, the AAGC never stops striving to giveback.
AAGC Charities
Harvest Hope Food Bank
The mission of Harvest Hope Food Bank is to provide for the needs of hungry people by gathering and sharing quality food with dignity, compassion and education. Harvest Hope began in 1981 as the result of a shared vision of business leaders and the faith community who set out to provide for the hungry in Columbia. Since then Harvest Hope has increased its mission to feed the hungry across 20 counties of South Carolina. Harvest Hope distributed over 28 million pounds of food last year and fed approximately 38,000 people a week.
Harvest Hope Food Bank served 1,971,212 individuals throughout our service area in fiscal year 2011-2012. To assist in identifying pockets of poverty and hunger across 20 SC counties and the distribution of food to hungry people across our service area, Harvest Hope partners with 476 member non-profit agencies.
Harvest Hope Food Bank has multiple locations across our 20-county service area that serve as distribution centers reaching a variety of programs to serve hungry people. Harvest Hope is a proud partner with Feeding America, the largest charitable hunger relief organization in the United States. We are also a member of the South Carolina Food Bank Association and distribute USDA product.
Additionally, Harvest Hope serves as South Carolina’s primary disaster hunger relief emergency feeding organization as designated by the SC Emergency Management Division. We are prepared to mobilize in the event of an emergency to provide food throughout the state and to bordering areas that may be impacted by manmade or natural disasters.
Harvest Hope expanded its Greenville operations by moving into an 85,000 square foot facility in September of 2010. This expansion has allowed our agency to dramatically increase its shipping and receiving operations in the Greater Greenville Area, as well as its entire 20 county service area. Harvest Hope Food Bank is a proud partner with Feeding America, the largest charitable hunger relief organization in the United States. We are also a member of the South Carolina Food Bank Association and distribute USDA product. Find out more about hunger in South Carolina.
Hannah House & Samaritan's Well
Hannah House and Samaritan's Well provide transitional shelter and basic necessities to women, with or without children, who are seeking independence and self-sufficiency. The focus is on rebuilding families, job placement, child care, and affordable housing.
Mission
To transition the lives of women and children providing them with hope to live a purpose- driven, empowering life.
To be a leader in restoring women and families to self-sufficiency.
Guiding Principles
Our facilities encompass a COMMUNITY. We are HELP-MATES to our residents and community-at-large. We seek to be an EXAMPLE that women and children see daily, which allows them to live a purpose-driven, empowering life.
Focus Areas
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Spiritual Enrichment, Counseling, Life Skills Classes, Goal Setting, Case Management
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Job Prep Classes, Soft Skills Classes, Interview Skills
EDUCATION:
GED Classes, Tutoring for Adults & Children, Scholarships for Quick Jobs at Midland’s Tech
HEALTH & WELLNESS:
Nutrition Classes, Developing Better Eating Habits, Disease/Illness Prevention & Healing
PERSONAL FINANCE:
Financial Peace Classes, Budget Training, Assistance with Debt Reduction
Camp Wonder Hands
Camp Wonder Hands was created specifically for children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing, Camp Wonder Hands provides an environment that celebrates the unique culture of these beautiful youngsters. Consider the value of this setting. Deaf and hard-of-hearing children are the majority — perhaps for the first time in their lives. Successful, confident adults who share their challenges serve as counselors and role models. Every day, in every activity, their beautifully expressive language is celebrated. Add to this the many benefits of a summer camp experience, and it's easy to see why Camp Wonder Hands has grown so remarkably.
Marolyn Amick knows the isolation these children sometimes feel. A Child Life Specialist at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital, Marolyn is hard-of-hearing and has a child who is deaf. In 1996, she began a summer program in her home. Seven deaf and hard-of-hearing children came to her house each Monday — Marolyn's day off. People from the community embraced the idea and offered their help.
Today, Camp Wonder Hands is a five-day, four-night camp for children ages 7–15. Held at Camp Cole in lower Richland County, the camp is a program of Palmetto Health Children's Hospital. Each camper attends on a scholarship provided by Children's Hospital or private, civic and corporate donations. There is no cost to the family.
Statistics from the Department of Education and the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind indicate that the approximate number of deaf and hard-of-hearing children statewide is between 1,000 and 1,500. We 'd like to serve at least 100 children, not only in the core 17 counties served by Children's Hospital, but from all counties across the state. Our dream is to expand to a six-day, five-night camp.
