Proceeds from first Spartanburg Water Employee Golf Tournament benefit Upstate Warrior Solution

Spartanburg Water’s Employee Engagement Committee recently presented a check to  Upstate Warrior Solution, a community-based, nonprofit serving veterans and their families in Upstate South Carolina. The committee organized and presented a golf tournament for employees, their family members and friends on June 14 at Meadowbrook Golf Club in nearby Rutherfordton, NC. The tournament netted $1,100 in tournament registration fees, plus a monetary donation.

“As someone who is from a military family, I want to always say thank you to those who are serving, and have served, our country,” said Spartanburg Water CEO, Guy Boyle. “I believe in supporting not just our 27 Spartanburg Water employees who are veterans, but also to the veteran community at large. I can see that your organization offers them and their families many resources to help them thrive. We are glad that we can be a part of their journey.”

Upstate Warrior Solution serves veterans with multiple ways of assistance – employment, navigating VA benefits, or simply meeting other warriors in the Upstate. The organization offers face-to-face case coordination and mentoring. Warrior advocates assess current needs, connects veterans with a network of community resources, and helps them generate goals and actionable steps towards their next mission in life.

Jimmy Pregel, Justice-Involved Veteran Outreach (JIVO) Program Coordinator, works with veterans and first responders one-on-one who are in crisis. “Like our veterans, our first responders answer the call to serve” Pregel said. “That service often comes with many of the same challenges, including servicerelated injuries, PTSD, and trauma. Through our First Responder Program we strive to fill the critical resource gap for local law enforcement, fire fighters, and EMS personnel. When our first responders are healthy and whole, our entire community is strengthened.”

“Our First Responder Program is more than just outreach – we are about restoring purpose and direction for those who’ve served on the front lines - whether in uniform overseas or in our communities. We meet veterans and first responders where they are, and we walk with them toward where they want to be,” Pregel said.

“We offer supportive services to all Upstate warriors and their families. We serve Reservists, National Guard, and active duty, regardless of military branch, nature of discharge, or current life situation,” said Lauren O’Dell, Spartanburg County Warrior Advocate.

The organization’s president Charlie Hall, Lieutenant Colonel, USMCR and current US Marine Corps Reservist, expressed his appreciation for the donation. “This will absolutely stay in the Spartanburg community. Our purpose is to connect warriors and their family members to resources and opportunities, and this donation will help us achieve that purpose.”

ABOUT UPSTATE WARRIOR SOLUTION: Our mission is to connect warriors and their family members to resources and opportunities, lead them through the process of self-empowerment, and inspire the community to embrace local warriors and their family members as valued neighbors and friends. Since 2013, the organization has served nearly 12,000 warriors and their families with housing, employment, healthcare, education, family support and more. However, the need is still great. All members of the Upstate community are invited to become part of the solution.

ABOUT SPARTANBURG WATER: Spartanburg Water, an award-winning utility, is comprised of Spartanburg Water System and Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District. It serves a population of more than 200,000 within Spartanburg County, as well as others in parts of Greenville, Union and Cherokee counties. With the help of its dedicated team of about 300 employees, each day it produces an average of 25 million gallons of drinking water and cleans 12 million gallons of reclaimed water for its customers and community. 

Download Press Release