I’ve often referred to myself as a “serial volunteer.” Volunteering has been an active part of my life since I was a child. My mother was Head Nurse at Greenville’s Shriners Hospital and I often helped stuff Easter baskets and Christmas stockings for children staying in the hospital over a holiday. This early exposure to helping is what has shaped how I approach any task. I enjoy being part of a team working for a specific goal and I crave being able to see the results of that labor help someone. I became a regular volunteer at the library when I was a teen and as an adult continued that work as president of a county-wide library board. I’ve learned a great deal through volunteering that has grown my work skills, especially event organization, volunteer management, and grant writing, but I’ve also learned about wine selection, how to put up a tent, and you could say I’m an expert at taking out the trash.
Working with Legacy Early College, a K-12 charter school providing education for the underserved children of West Greenville, SC, allowed me to gain skills in the full spectrum of philanthropic support. As Director of Advancement, I led a grant-writing team, including researching and writing many of the grants myself. I also managed day-to-day donor relations and communications and wrote and designed all the development materials. I took many of the photos we used in our collateral materials. My skills helped secure funding for operations, construction, sports equipment, art materials, scholarships, as well as new initiatives and resources.
Each year at Coverings, the largest ceramic tile and stone trade show in North America, the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) partners with manufacturers to create and exhibit tiled doghouses. The doghouses are donated to a local pet charity after the show and the charities use the doghouses to raise funds. The doghouses are included in TCNA’s show booth and the charities bring adorable (and energetic) adoptable dogs to the show floor. This area has grown very popular over the years as a fun respite for tired exhibitors and attendees alike. I enjoy creating the graphics for this event every year.
The ceramic tile industry has strong, historical roots in Ukraine. When the war began, several tile manufacturers sent aid to their Ukraine colleagues. TCNA sought a way to make a collective impact. Just days before TCNA’s trade show, Coverings, I was asked to develop a fundraising effort. I researched charities that could best use the funds we collected, created the graphics, crafted the donor appeal and thank you messages, and set up an online donation portal. We had a table at the show and also presented to groups gathered for presentations. We raised over $183,000 in three days for Save the Children. Donations ranged from $1 to $20,000.
I recently joined the board of the Simpsonville Arts Foundation. I create graphics and manage their website needs.
FaberSmith Press & Pottery 