The Blood Connection (TBC) now has an urgent need for O negative blood donations specifically in its Upstate region, which includes Greenville, Spartanburg, Lexington, Easley, Greenwood, and Seneca in South Carolina as well as Asheville and Hendersonville in western North Carolina. TBC is the exclusive blood provider for all hospitals in these regions.

O negative blood is the most transfused blood type for traumas and emergencies, so the demand never wavers. O negative blood donors are often referred to as the “universal donor” since everyone, no matter their blood type, can receive O negative blood. TBC now finds itself with dangerously low inventory levels of O negative blood and blood products caused by continued low donor turnout and recent trauma cases at TBC hospital partners in South Carolina.

The only way for the O negative blood supply to be replenished is for the public to donate blood. Anyone who knows they have O negative blood is urged to donate blood with TBC immediately. If potential donors do not know their blood type, they can donate with TBC and blood type information will be shared.

TBC has spent the past year battling historically low blood donor turnout. After many pleas with the South Carolina and North Carolina community, TBC has seen some recovery from these low collection numbers, but not enough to comfortably sustain the local hospital blood supply. TBC aims to have a 5-7 day supply of O negative blood but has recently had a 2-3 day supply. In some instances, one trauma case alone can use up that supply. Only about 7% of the world’s population has O negative blood.

To find a donor center or mobile unit location to donate, go to thebloodconnection.org/donate, call 864-751-1154, or walk into any donor center or mobile unit. TBC has eight donor center locations in the Upstate and western North Carolina regions.

To help connect you and your business to the candidates running for elected office, we’re hosting virtual forums to be broadcast on our Facebook page with candidates for S.C. House of Representatives Districts 30, 33 and 36 and Spartanburg County Council Districts 2, 5 and 6. Virtual Forums with Primary Candidates for SC House Districts 30, 33 and 36. 8:30-9:30 AM: SC House District 36 Rep. Rita Allison (I) Rob Harris 9:45-10:45 AM SC House District 33 Bill DeVore Rep. Travis Moore (I) 11 AM-12 PM SC House District 30: presented in partnership with the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Dean Cook Brian Lawson Jimbo Martin Steph Smith Dennis Stroupe Shannon Tyler

Take advantage of free document shredding in the Upstate. Better Business Bureau® of the Upstate & AARP® South Carolina are partnering together to host a FREE Secure Your ID “Shred Day,” a national event created to promote awareness about identity theft and fraud protection. AARP and Better Business Bureau Education Foundation will be providing educational handouts to prevent consumers and businesses from becoming victims of identity theft. Individuals and businesses can take advantage of FREE on-site document shredding and take home practical tips to prevent identity theft online and off. Consumers are allowed to bring 3 banker 10″ x 12″ x 15″ size boxes or 3 kitchen “13 gallon size” plastic bags per consumer or business. Maximum number per consumer or business is 3. Cardboard boxes will be emptied and returned to consumers. Please, DO NOT bring the following items: desktop computers, monitors, laptops, printers, or external hard drives. In an effort to shred your sensitive documents in a timely manner, there is no need to remove binders, binder clips, paper clips, staples, rubber bands, or CDs/DVDs prior to shredding. Due to safety concerns and to ensure that we are able to serve as many vehicles as possible, we are unable to accept attendees on foot or allow consumers to get out of their vehicle to watch their paper shredded. The complimentary shred event is first come, first serve or until the shred trucks fill up. REGISTER TO WIN A FREE $100 SHREDDER! The AARP South Carolina Sweepstakes takes place between April 1, 9:00 a.m. EST zone and May 31, 2022, 9:00 a.m. EST zone. Register here: aarp.cventevents.com/71G83Q

The Study Buddies Afterschool program is offered at four community centers throughout Greenville. The program runs Monday through Friday from 2:30-6 p.m. Participants will receive homework assistance, life skills development, recreational activities, educational projects, and much more. A healthy meal is provided daily for each participant. This program is open to students in K through 8th grade.

Registration is currently open for city of Greenville residents. 

Participants in the Study Buddies Afterschool program  will receive homework assistance, life skills development, recreational activities, educational projects, and much more. A healthy meal is provided daily. This program is open to students in 5K through 8th grade.

We are committed to providing our students a safe, enriching, and healthy afterschool experience. View Afterschool Health and Wellness Policy (PDF)

Dates: August 17, 2021 – June 1, 2022                                                         *Program does not run when there is no school for holidays, half days, teacher work days, vacations, or snow days (following Greenville County School calendar).

Time: 2:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Fees:  $585 for City Residents

Discounts for families registering two or more children. Payment plan available in 9 installments with the first initial payment due upon registration.

Financial Assistance: City of Greenville residents with documented financial need will automatically qualify for a reduced fee after school program. Qualified participants must complete the application and submit all required documentation to be eligible for the reduced fee. Financial aid will automatically be added to the participants online account after their application and documentation has been approved. Applications are available online (see below under documents) or in person at David Hellams Community Center or Bobby Pearse Community Center.

Financial assistance rates are $270 for the year. Sibling discounts do not apply to financial assistance rates.

Locations:

• Bobby Pearse Community Center (FULL)
  • Elementary: Stone Academy
  • Middle: League Middle
• David Hellams Community Center
  • Elementary: East North Street
  • Middle: Greenville Middle
• Nicholtown Community Center
  • Elementary: Lake Forest
  • Middle: Northwood Middle
• West Greenville Community Center
  • Elementary: AJ Whittenberg (transportation will be provided)
  • Middle: League
  • Legacy Charter School also provides transportation to the Center

Bussing Directly From The School To The Community Center: The City of Greenville DOES NOT provide transportation from the school to the afterschool site. Parents are responsible for arranging school bus transportation and also letting the school know that their child will be attending this afterschool program.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Refunds are not available after the first week of the program.
• Prior to August 17, Parent/Guardian must submit all completed parent consent forms.

DOCUMENTS

Parent Handbook

Parent Handbook Forms

Financial Assistance Application Form

Afterschool Flyer

Take advantage of free document shredding in the Upstate. Better Business Bureau® of the Upstate & AARP® South Carolina are partnering together to host a FREE Secure Your ID “Shred Day,” a national event created to promote awareness about identity theft and fraud protection. AARP and Better Business Bureau Education Foundation will be providing educational handouts to prevent consumers and businesses from becoming victims of identity theft. Individuals and businesses can take advantage of FREE on-site document shredding and take home practical tips to prevent identity theft online and off. Consumers are allowed to bring 3 banker 10″ x 12″ x 15″ size boxes or 3 kitchen “13 gallon size” plastic bags per consumer or business. Maximum number per consumer or business is 3. Cardboard boxes will be emptied and returned to consumers. Please, DO NOT bring the following items: desktop computers, monitors, laptops, printers, or external hard drives. In an effort to shred your sensitive documents in a timely manner, there is no need to remove binders, binder clips, paper clips, staples, rubber bands, or CDs/DVDs prior to shredding. Due to safety concerns and to ensure that we are able to serve as many vehicles as possible, we are unable to accept attendees on foot or allow consumers to get out of their vehicle to watch their paper shredded. The complimentary shred event is first come, first serve or until the shred trucks fill up. REGISTER TO WIN A FREE $100 SHREDDER! The AARP South Carolina Sweepstakes takes place between April 1, 9:00 a.m. EST zone and May 31, 2022, 9:00 a.m. EST zone. Register here: aarp.cventevents.com/71G83Q