By Kaitlyn McCormick. Originally posted by the Greenville News on October 11, 2024.
In just the first two hours of the Team South Carolina County Day on Friday, 339 people had walked through the doors of Greenville Technical College’s Student Success Center to ask for help.
Inside, tables stretched throughout hallways and other sections of the building’s first floor, draped in identifying tablecloths bearing the emblems of organizations like Duke Energy, the U.S. Small Business Administration, FEMA, and more.
Two weeks after Hurricane Helene ripped through Greenville, those seeking assistance were met with a team of volunteers, clad in pink polos and handing out clipboards, to fill out personal information and indicate what services they may need, including those specifically for veterans and seniors.
Brooke Bailey, director of strategic communications for the South Carolina Department of Administration, said the services available and the community turnout was “pretty incredible.”
Charlie Johnson came to the event with his wife after Helene caused two feet of flooding on the bottom floor of their home. He received information about contractors who could assist him.
“This is good. … It’s amazing,” he said, standing in the lobby of the student center surrounded by others looking for resources.
Wanda Pearson was able to apply for FEMA and small business assistance at the event. While her home wasn’t damaged in the storm, she said her business, C&W Pearson Florists, underwent an economic loss as a result of technical and power difficulties following Helene.
Outside, cars pulled through a drive-in service, receiving donations of water, diapers, and food. They could also access numerous services, including WIC, SNAP benefits, and the American Red Cross.
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette attended the county day, her third in the Upstate this week. Two others were held in Anderson and Spartanburg counties.
“Everybody here is touching the need of every person,” she said, referencing the abundance of services being provided in one space, a one-stop shop.
The “beauty of having everybody together,” she said, comes from the ease of having multiple services in the same location making it easier for people to access the assistance they came for and other services they may not have known they needed or could access, like supports for veterans and mental health.
“We are S.C. strong,” Evette said. “It makes me so proud.”
Upcoming South Carolina Days are scheduled for further counties in the state, though Greenville residents are still welcome to attend.
A full list of services and dates can be found at the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website.
Photo Credit: Rick Cinclair/Telegram & Gazette/USA Today Network