The SPCF Report August Edition 2023

THE SPCF REPORT

Spartanburg County Foundation Monthly Newsletter

Events Happening in the Center for Philanthropy

Thursday, August 3rd: Liberty Fellowship Staff Meeting

Where: Conference Room 203 Time: 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Friday, August 4th: Hub City Roots Celebration and Graduation

Where: Flexible Convening Time: 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Where: Flexible Convening Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 8th: Spartanburg Area Conservancy

Where: Flexible Convening Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 8th: Noble Tree Foundation Meeting

Where: Flexible Convening Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 9th: Nonprofit Connect: Social Media 101

Where: Flexible Convening Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 10th: Grant Review Committee Meeting

Where: Flexible Convening Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 15th: Heightened Development

Where: Flexible Convening Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 15th: Upstate Forever

Where: Flexible Convening Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 15th: Children's Cancer Partners of the Carolinas

Where: Flexible Convening Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Friday, August 18th: Spartanburg Philharmonic Board Retreat

Where: Flexible Convening Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 19th: GLDI Event: Leveraging Funding and Community Assets

Where: Gallery Time: 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 22nd: Ballet Spartanburg

Where: Gallery Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS

Nonprofit Spotlight: BattleBetty Foundation

Getting to Know You: Trustee Edition

Name: Bert Barre, Chairman of the Board of Trustees

1.)What’s your favorite time of year? Why?

Five years ago I would have said fall for college football season, but lately I’d say spring because I love the world coming back to life after winter, it’s lacrosse season for my kids, turkey hunting season for me, and the school year is winding down!

2.)Which famous TV character do you most associate with?

I wish I could say John Dutton from Yellowstone, but I’m not that cool. I’m probably more like Michael Scott from The Office because I’m always trying to do something to keep my work family happy, just with a lot more tact and sensitivity!

3.) Why did you decide to become a Trustee for the Spartanburg County Foundation? Because I was asked and for me it’s not something you can say no to! I can think of no higher community honor that to be a part of leading this organization that has made such a strong impact on our community.

4.)What’s your go to karaoke song?

I’m never the first to volunteer and don’t have a “go to”, but the last time I did karaoke I had to save a terrible rendition of Don’t Stop Believin’ from someone who was murdering a classic!

5.) What’s your favorite food?

These days I’d probably say Greek or really anything Mediterranean. My family desperately wants a Cava in Spartanburg!

Getting to Know You: Staff Edition

Name: G.T.

1 ) What is you favorite part of your job? Having great team members!

2.) What is your favorite hobbie?

Goat Yoga

3.) What's your favorite tv show?

I really enjoy watching National Geographic

4.) Do you have a hidden talent, what is it?

I am surprisingly great at farming and rural development

5 ) What's your go-to karaoke song?

Respect by Aretha Franklin

What's Happening #IntheBurg?

Tuesday, August 1st: Carolina Panthers Training Camp Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Where: Wofford College, 551 Cummings Street

Wednesday, August 2nd: Fischer's Trivia Extravaganza @ New Groove Artisan Brewery

Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Where: New Groove Artisan Brewery

Tuesday, August 8th: Music Bingo Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Where: New Groove Artisan Brewery

Saturday, August 12th: Artists' Market Time:

Where: Pharmacy Coffee, 187 N. Church Street

Friday, August 18th - Sunday, August 20th: Get Off the Grid Fest Time: 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Where: 600 Bruckner Rd, Spartanburg

Saturday, August 26th: 70's Paint Party Time:

Sunday, August 27th: Beets by Dray Time: 11:00

Where: 1201 Union Street, Spartanburg

Address: Drayton Mills, 1800 Drayton Rd

Where: A Cut Above Maker Space, 1201 Union Street, Spartanburg

Wednesday, August 30th: Kids Art Class Time:

For more information: https://www.intheburg864.com/events-calendar

Nonprofit Spotlight: Battle Betty Foundation

The mission of the BattleBetty Foundation is to empower Women Veterans as they navigate post-transition life by providing wrap-around supportive services and resources. Through their Women Veteran Resource Center, the first of its kind in the state of South Carolina, they provide a 90-day Emergency Shelter Program, clothes closet, access to their gear locker with hygiene and other needed essentials, peer support, and case management in our efforts to “Take Care of H.E.R.” The South Carolina Department of Veteran Affairs has officially recognized this program and the Executive Director of BattleBetty has been honored as a National American-Made Hero! You can also support BattleBetty with in-kind donations on their Amazon Charity List; including toiletries, hats, gloves, unopened packs of underwear/socks, feminine hygiene products, and gently used clothing items.

Look out for their Beyond the Battle 5K in November!

For more information: https://battlebettyfoundation.com/about-us

Staff Work Anniversaries

Randy Jones August 29, 2016 7 years Thank you for all you do!

Employee Recognition Form

Have you accomplished a goal that you would like others to know about? Has a teammate done something great that is worth noting? Have you met a knew milestone in life worth commemorating?

Tell us about it! Fill out the form below so that we can recognize you on __________.

10WaysToImproveYourMentalHealthAtWork

By:CarolineCastrillon

The pandemic, inflation, political unrest and numerous other stressors have made mental health at work a top priority. In Mind Share Partners’ 2021 Mental Health at Work Report, the authors found that mental health concerns, not surprisingly, increased over the prior two years. In the 2019 study, 59% of those surveyed reported at least one symptom of a mental health condition over the previous year. But in 2021, that number went up to a startling 76%.

While companies have a long way to go to prioritize employee well-being, here are ten ways you can improve your mental health at work

Begin your day with mindfulness

Studies show that by checking your phone right after waking up, you are priming your brain for distraction Think of it this way Looking at your cell phone first thing in the morning is the equivalent of having a hundred people in your bedroom screaming at you That’s not the best way to start the day! Instead, improve your mental health at work by beginning your morning with a yoga or meditation practice so you can healthily ease into the day

Focus on your strengths

Rather than focusing on your weaknesses, concentrate on being more of who you already are Capitalize on your strengths and seek out projects that give you satisfaction Because when we use our strengths, the activity feels natural to us, and we are more likely to experience accomplishment

Stop comparing yourself to others

Teddy Roosevelt asserted that “comparison is the thief of joy ”

When we compare ourselves to others, it leads to low self-esteem and unhappiness Instead, compare yourself to who you were yesterday Concentrate on healthy improvements, like measuring yourself against specific goals. That way, you ' re focused on who you are versus who you aren't.

Talk it out

The late Maya Angelou once said, “there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.” One of the best ways to improve mental health is to know you aren’t alone. First, find someone you can trust, like a friend, family member, therapist or coach. Then share your story. You can also go on social media platforms like Facebook and search for groups that focus on mental health at work. By joining in the conversation, you will also be able to help others.

Accept rather than judge feelings

Fluctuating emotions are part of life. But what causes us angst isn't the emotion itself. It's the judgment of the emotion. When we feel fear, sadness or shame, our first reaction is to reject that feeling. Instead, accept them. That simply means being aware of your emotions and accepting them for what they are right now, knowing that they won't last.

Get outdoors

The average American spends over seven hours looking at a screen each day. Unfortunately, that means we spend more time indoors than we should. So instead, make it a point to get outdoors each day, even if it's just for a few minutes Research shows that nature has benefits for both physical and psychological well‐being For example, a University of Chicago study found that being exposed to nature improves attention, memory, and cognitive flexibility, while exposure to urban environments is linked to attention deficits

Do things for others

There are so many ways to do things for others at work For example, you can volunteer to help with a special project, take on a mentee, or offer to train a new hire In addition, evidence shows that helping others can also benefit our own mental health For instance, it can reduce stress and improve mood, self-esteem and happiness. And the best part is that an act of kindness usually doesn't require a considerable investment of time or money.

Find the humor

You've heard that saying that laughter is the best medicine? Well, it's no joke. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter has short-term benefits like stimulating organs, enhancing your oxygen intake and increasing the endorphins released by your brain. It also has long-term effects like strengthening your immune system, relieving pain and improving your mood.

Learn something new

Many times, we feel depressed or anxious when we are unchallenged That’s why learning new skills can improve your mental health at work By learning something new, you build a sense of purpose, raise self-esteem and boost selfconfidence Some things you could try include signing up for a course, getting certified in a new skill or shadowing a senior staff member

Slow down

Overall, slowing down will help you make better decisions and connect deeper with people Make time for self-reflection Some helpful methods include journaling, meditation, and simply taking breaks Remember, while you may go slower, you will go further

The massive societal shifts of the last few years have left many of us feeling stressed and vulnerable. By embracing these strategies, you’ll be taking a proactive approach to improving your mental health at work and paving the way for others to do the same.

Fresh Southern Peach Cobbler

Ingredients

8 fresh peaches- peeled, pitted, and sliced into thin wedges

1/4 cup white sugar

1/4 cup of brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 cup all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces

1/4 cup of boiling water

3 tablespoons white sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Classic peach cobbler is always a hit when peaches are at their peak. This particular cobbler has over 3,000 five-star ratings, so we ' re confident you'll be thrilled with the results, too. A warm mixture of sweetened, juicy peaches is topped with a biscuit-like dough and sprinkled in cinnamon sugar. Although it's made from scratch with fresh peaches, this easy peach cobbler is incredibly simple and comes together in just one hour.

Directions

1.) Gather all ingredients

2.) Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

3.) Combine peaches, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a large bowl; toss to coat evenly, and pour into a 2-quart baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

4.) Meanwhile, combine flour, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Blend in butter with your fingertips or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in water until just combined.

5.) Remove peaches from oven, and drop spoonfuls of topping over them.

6.) Mix 3 tablespoons white sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together in a small bowl; sprinkle over entire cobbler.

7.) Bake in the preheated oven until topping is golden, about 30 minutes.