Anderson 1720 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621
1434 Pearman Dairy Road Anderson, SC 29625
100 Hanna Crossing Anderson, SC 29621
Columbia 1025 Pulaski Street Columbia, SC 29201
Corporate Office & Support Center
420 E. Park Avenue, Ste. 100 Greenville, SC 29601
Easley 118 Brushy Creek Road Easley, SC 29642
Five Forks 117 Batesville Road, Ste. 200 Simpsonville, SC 29681
Member Solutions Center
Greenville: 864.232.5553
Nationwide: 800.922.0446
Mills Avenue
300 Mills Avenue Greenville, SC 29605
Spartanburg 130 North Town Drive
Spartanburg, SC 29303
Taylors
3237 Wade Hampton Boulevard
Taylors, SC 29687
Verdae 601 Verdae Boulevard Greenville, SC 29607
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Nationwide: 800.633.4364
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LETTER FROM THE PRES i DENT
COMMUN i TY & EVENTS
FEATURE Help Your Kids Balance Gifts & Gratitude
SPERO SPOTL i GHT Team Spero's Giving Traditions
FESTYLE
Your Giving Season Guide: Celebrate the Holidays by Serving Your Community
MEMBER SPOTL i GHT
Brewing Community: Chestnut Coffee
holiday season
filled with lots of laughs, cozy memories, and deepened hope for the year ahead!
Community & Events
Holiday Closures:
VETERANS DAY | November 11, 2025
THANKSGiViNG | November 27, 2025
CHRiSTMAS EVE | December 24, 2025 at 1 PM
CHRiSTMAS DAY | December 25, 2025
Scholarship
Applications close February 1, 2026
Each year, we award (3) $5,000 scholarships to Spero Financial members to be used toward education after high school. To be eligible, members must be in good standing, be at least a graduating high school senior or older, and be enrolling or enrolled in a school of higher education, such as college, university, or trade school program. Submit your application at spero.financial/scholarship
Award-Winning Culture
We’re excited to share that Spero Financial has been named a 2025 Best Place to Work in South Carolina — our fifth year in a row to receive this honor! Spero was also recently named the #7 Best Credit Union to Work For in the Nation (based on asset size) by American Banker.
Financial Workshops
Throughout the year, we host free virtual financial wellness workshops for our members. Take advantage of this member benefit!
Follow Us on Social
Stay connected with Spero by following us on social media. Discover financial insights, keep up with #TeamSpero, learn about member perks, and more! Find us @mySperoFi.
Operation Holiday Hope
NOVEMBER 3 - NOVEMBER 21
Know a family who could use some extra holiday magic? Nominate them for Operation Holiday Hope, and they could be one of four winners to receive a $250 Visa Gift Card. Nominate today at spero.financial/holidayhope
Letters to Santa
NOVEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 19
Santa’s making his list, and he has a mailbox waiting at every Spero branch. Gather the family, write your letters, and enjoy some holiday goodies while you’re here.
Winter Coat Drive
DECEMBER 15 - JANUARY 15
We're hosting a coat drive to keep our community cozy this winter! Members are welcome to donate new and gently used coats (adult or child sizes) at any of our branch locations. All coats will be donated to a local nonprofit organization.
The Pink Walk & Fun Run (5K)
FEBRUARY 7
Join us on Saturday, February 7, 2026 for the 5th Annual Pink Walk & Fun Run (5K). Whether you walk, run, or cheer in this 5K, you'll support those impacted by cancer - those surviving and thriving and those that we have lost. spero.financial/pink-walk-and-fun-run/
HELP YOUR K i DS BALANCE Gratitude Gratitude AND
The holidays are full of magical moments.
Between the festive lights, family traditions, and wide-eyed excitement of finding presents under the tree, it’s perfectly natural that gift-giving takes center stage. But with all the joy of the season, it’s also an excellent chance to remind our children that it’s important to be thankful and remember the holidays are about more than gifts.
So how do we help our kids find that balance? How do we let them enjoy the fun of getting gifts while still teaching them how to be grateful and generous? Here are a few suggestions.
1
Practice Gratitude Together
Gratitude isn’t just for the holidays. Ask your kids to name something they’re thankful for each day. Then you do the same. Sharing these moments around the dinner table or jotting their answers down in a journal is a great way to help them build a habit of being thankful.
2
Keep Gifts in Perspective
For many children, making a wish list is part of the holiday fun. If you’re a parent, it can be a good chance to set some realistic expectations. It can be as simple as saying, “We may not get everything on your list, but the gifts we choose will be special.” Even younger kids can start to understand that thoughtful giving matters more than the number of boxes under the tree.
3
Make Giving Personal
Kids learn generosity by example — and by being generous. Invite them to pick out a toy for a charity drive, bake cookies for a neighbor, or help wrap gifts for a family in need. Seeing how their kindness causes others to light up is often more rewarding than opening a gift of their own. And that feeling is one they can experience all year long, not just at the holidays.
Balance is a Beautiful Thing
From all of us at Spero, we hope your holiday season is filled with joy, gratitude, and maybe even the start of a new family tradition or two. 4 5
At the end of the day, the holidays are about finding joy — in giving, receiving, and simply being together. By weaving gratitude into the mix, we can help kids enjoy their presents without losing sight of the bigger picture.
Celebrate Traditions and Experiences
Presents come and go, but traditions can grow into something truly special. Whether it’s a family drive to see Christmas lights, a holiday movie marathon, or volunteering together, shared experiences remind kids that the season is about spending time and making memories together — not just getting new things.
Practice the Gift of “Enough”
It’s easy to feel pressure to do more, buy more, give more. And while it can be fun to give your kids what they want, they can also benefit from learning that what they already have is enough. There’s no need to go overboard. A few thoughtful gifts, plenty of family time, and a little holiday magic go a long way.
TEAM SPERO'S
Giving Traditions Giving Traditions
The season of giving is upon us! At Spero, we love finding ways to serve our community, especially during the holidays. Here are a few of our favorite ways to celebrate the spirit of giving this season. Who knows, one might even inspire a new family tradition of your own!
Bethani Williams VP OF MARKETiNG
“Cookie making is a staple in our home during the holiday season. Each year, my kiddos and I gather to make a slew of cookies to hand out to our neighbors. We even put some in the mailbox for our mail lady to enjoy on her route! It’s the simple things that can bring the most joy.”
James Berg
MEMBER SERViCE ADViSOR
“I love to take one or two weekends to hunt through the toy departments for one of the year's most popular toys so my family can donate it to Toys for Tots.”
Chelsea Newton
COMMUNiTY RELATiONS SPECiALiST
“My husband and I like to volunteer with AIM (Anderson Interfaith Ministries) and hand out turkeys before Thanksgiving.”
Cherise Durant
MEMBER SERViCE ADViSOR
"We pick a family in need from my hometown (Marion, SC) or surrounding counties and donate food, clothes, or toys to them for the holidays.”
Stacey Cherubini
SENiOR HR GENERALiST
“My favorite way to give back during the holiday season is by donating food or clothing to local drives. It’s a small way to help make sure others can enjoy the season too.”
Mac Chapman
RiSK MANAGEMENT ANALYST
"I like to participate in the Giving Tree at my church."
Chris Green
MEMBER SERViCE ADViSOR
“I like to donate to children’s homes.”
Bonnie Gowan
DiRECTOR OF LEARNiNG & DEVELOPMENT
“Each year, I pick a child from an Angel Tree or fill a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child as a way of giving back. Helping children experience the magic of Christmas is something that hits close to home for me. These gifts mean so much more to them than we often realize.”
Nicole Woodall
LEARNiNG & DEVELOPMENT SPECiALiST
“My favorite way to give back to the community during the holidays is to donate to Toys for Tots. I can't stand the thought of a child having to go without a Christmas gift.”
Chad Oliver BRANCH MANAGER
“I like to do adopt-a-child (Angel Tree) type things. I have also helped give to families at underprivileged schools.”
Nidhi Verma
MEMBER SERViCE ADViSOR
“I like to volunteer for local community events.”
Taylor Summey MARKETiNG COMMUNiCATiONS SPECiALiST
“I like to pick a nonprofit that supports a cause I care about and make a donation as a “Christmas present” on Giving Tuesday!”
Kierny Lindsey
MEMBER SERViCE ADViSOR
"My favorite way to give back to the community during the holiday season is giving gifts to families and helping out at the local soup kitchen.”
Cameron Lemere
MEMBER SERViCE ADViSOR
"I like Angel Trees, or any program where you pick a less fortunate child who wants a gift and anonymously donate it. I also used to do country Santa every year, which was great.”
In addition to these individual traditions, Team Spero conducts Operation Holiday Hope every holiday season. This is a yearly tradition we started to spread a little holiday magic to the local families that need it most. Each year, we give away $250 VISA Gift Cards to four local families to help them have a special holiday season. Beyond Operation Holiday Hope, we typically have a few holiday-themed service opportunities going on. Last year, we stuffed stockings for New Foundations Home for Children, and this year, we are holding a coat drive for a local nonprofit.
During the holidays, we’re often encouraged to focus on others rather than on ourselves. After all, it’s called the season of giving for a reason.
To help you get into the spirit of the season, we put together this giving guide – not to suggest gifts, but to share some practical ways to serve your community.
How Can i Give Back to My Community?
1. DONATE MONEY
One of the most common ways people give back during the holidays is by making a financial donation to a charity. It’s easy to do — just visit your chosen organization’s website and look for their donations page. You might even encounter people raising funds for charity in person at shopping centers or malls when you’re out gathering Christmas gifts.
Whether you give online or in person, this is an excellent way to support your community because it ensures the money goes directly to a cause you care about.
(We’ll talk about picking a reputable charity later in this article.)
2. GIVE ITEMS
Donating items can also be impactful. This could mean giving away items you own but don’t use anymore, things you buy specifically so you can donate them, or items you craft yourself. Whichever you choose, your generosity will be especially meaningful during the holidays.
Items You Already Have
Consider donating items that you no longer need but are in good condition to local charity shops. (Think: clothing that no longer fits, toys your kids have outgrown, or books you aren’t planning to re-read.)
Many nonprofits use thrift stores as a fundraising arm, so your donation can help that organization fund its work in the community.
Items You Purchase
In the mood for a bit of shopping? This is the option for you. Food pantries and soup kitchens always need fresh donations. Most nonperishables are accepted, but check your local location’s guidelines before heading to the grocery store.
Holiday Giving Trees (Christmas trees with local families’ wishlists pinned to them) are another great option that you can find at many grocery stores and shopping centers. These trees help members of the community who are in a tough spot to have a more comfortable holiday season.
The process is simple: You select a list, purchase the items on it, and drop them off at a specified location. The items are then given to the family who filled out the tree request. Some families request gifts for their kids, while others simply ask for essentials like toiletries and food. Either way, you can feel good knowing you’re helping families get what they want most.
Items You Create
Are you handy with a crochet hook or knitting needles? You could use that skill for good this holiday season.
Many organizations accept donations of knit/crochet hats, blankets, and other warm items around this time of year. Before you start crafting, reach out to see if there is a need you can fulfill.
Local hospitals, churches, hospice facilities, cancer centers, emergency housing shelters, and animal shelters may accept these donations.
3. GIVE YOUR TIME
Giving your time to an organization or cause you support is another wonderful way to make a difference this holiday season.
Online databases like volunteersc.org are great resources for finding volunteer opportunities near you. Volunteer with a group or solo — every helping hand makes a difference!
How can i tell if a nonprofit organization is legitimate?
While most charities and nonprofits are honorable organizations, it’s smart to do a little research before you make a donation. Unfortunately, there are people who use charity as a front for scams, so you have to be vigilant when giving.
Here are a few steps you can take to make sure an organization is legitimate.
First, ask yourself if you’ve ever heard of the organization before. If it’s familiar to you, it’s more likely to be a real organization. If you’re just learning about it for the first time, be cautious.
Second, do some research online.
• A quick Google search with the organization's name and the word “scam” will often show whether people online have reported scams from this organization in the past.
• Check out the organization’s website. Does this seem like a real webpage for a real organization? Or does it use generic language and imagery without telling you much of anything about the charity itself?
• For further research, use tools like charitynavigator.org or give.org. These platforms offer details on nonprofits so you can gauge their credibility.
Lastly, trust your gut. If something feels off about a charitable giving request, you can always say no. There are plenty of honest, worthy causes to support.
Let the Giving Begin
Everyone can make a difference in the community this holiday season. Why not try out one of the suggestions above? Big or small, every act of generosity makes our community a little merrier — and a little stronger.
Brewing Community: Chestnut Coffee
Some dreams get their start in unexpected places. For Brandi and Jon Ward, it happened on the long drive home from an antiquing trip in Texas. Brandi had talked for years about opening a neighborhood coffee shop — not downtown, but in a more suburban setting where people could gather, catch up, and feel like family. By January of 2022, that little road trip conversation had turned into the first Chestnut Coffee House near Verdae’s Legacy Park.
Chestnut Coffee wasn’t their first business venture. Jon, a builder, and Brandi, a designer, started Chestnut Living together in 2018. The coffee shop was their next adventure — one built on the same love for creating beautiful, welcoming spaces. And thanks to a timely connection with Spero, the Wards were able to turn that dream into a delicious reality that now serves various communities in the Greeville area.
Chestnut Coffee’s story is one of connection, creativity, and community. We caught up with Brandi to learn a little more about how it started and where it’s headed next.
How has Spero played a part in the Chestnut Coffee House story?
"The Lord is so good at making connections. We met Jason Currie (Spero's Mortgage Manager) when he and his wife, Katie, bought our home and became our neighbors. By working with Spero, we were able to take out equity on our home, and that made our dreams of launching the coffee shops possible. It’s been so rewarding."
How
many
locations do you have now?
"After opening our first shop, we added a downtown Simpsonville location in August 2022, then expanded to Patrick Square in Clemson and Five Forks in 2024. And by the end of 2025, we’ll be opening our newest spot at Hartness."
What’s the most rewarding part of running a coffee shop?
"The best part is the people! We get to hear so many kind words from the community, and it’s such a joy watching
our regulars bring in their friends and make new connections. It really does feel like home. And then there’s our staff! Getting to know their stories and watching those relationships grow has been such a gift."
Any special plans for the holiday season?
"We will be just opening our Hartness location and celebrating the one-year birthday of our Five Forks shop. Plus, our classic peppermint vanilla syrup will be returning, along with some new seasonal flavors."
Do you have a favorite holiday drink?
"I know I just mentioned it, but I love our peppermint vanilla in any of our drinks — lattes, matchas, americanos, cappuccinos, any of them! Jon loves it so much that one of our baristas will make him a special batch to keep behind the bar throughout the year — it even has his name on it."
Want to know more?
Learn more about Chestnut Coffee House at chestnutcoffeehouse.com — or better yet, find the one that’s closest to you and stop in to try one of their seasonal drinks for yourself!
