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Blue Ridge Electric employees Ann Garren, David Collins and Marty Harris present a Blue Ridge Fest check in the amount of $11,000 to Ashley Cummings, executive director, and Pam Jeter, board chairperson, of Mary’s House. Also on hand for the presentation were Brian Wills of Carolina Tree Care, Tommy Bearden of Bearden Landscaping, Davey Hiott of Hiott Printing and Bart Turner of Peoples National Bank, all Blue Ridge Fest sponsors. Turner also serves on the Mary’s House board. Blue Ridge Fest, a charitable event sponsored by Blue Ridge Electric and Blue Ridge Security, celebrated its 13th anniversary this year and has raised over $1.1 million dollars for Upstate charitable organizations.
The 13th annual festival, held on May 14-15, proved to be a huge success.
Charles Dalton, president and CEO of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, reported the results: “At the conclusion of the 2010 Blue Ridge Fest, we realized net proceeds of $151,000 that were then distributed among these local charities. This was our most successful year to date. However, our 2010 event was also special because Blue Ridge Fest attained a major milestone in charitable giving…more than one million dollars! There are so many people to thank for this success—the sponsors, our employees, and all of those in the community who came and enjoyed the antique car show and the great Beach Night entertainment.”
A record crowd of more than 5,000 was on hand Friday evening to view the 600-plus classic cars that filled the grounds and to enjoy some outstanding entertainment.
The world-famous Temptations with Dennis Edwards, along with Legends of Beach and Jim Quick and Coastline, delivered perhaps the best show ever seen on the Blue Ridge Fest stage.
A sunny Saturday brought out 400 motorcycles to participate in a 100-mile scenic ride for charity through the foothills and mountains of the Upstate.
Sponsors have always been an important part of Blue Ridge Fest, and this year was no exception. The donations of more than 100 sponsors, led by three Presenting Sponsors—Allied Tree Service, Quality Inspection Services, and Sluder Urban Forestry—added to the financial success of this event.
“It’s hard to decide who benefits the most from Blue Ridge Fest,” said Charles Dalton, president and CEO.
“Certainly the people served by the funded agencies benefit; but I firmly believe there are considerable benefits for our entire cooperative family. During the fest weekend, Blue Ridge Electric and Blue Ridge Security employee volunteers and family members work as a team to help meet community needs. The fulfillment we receive in knowing that we are working for a greater good is very rewarding.
I’m very proud of the volunteer efforts of our employees, and we all look forward to an event that will continue to grow and see even greater success in future years.”
The 13 Upstate charitable agencies funded by the $151,000 in proceeds included Foothills Alliance, Golden Corner Food Bank, Haven of Rest Ministries, Helping Hands of Clemson, Mary’s House, Miracle Hill Children’s Home, Prevent Child Abuse of Pickens County, Residential Service Parent & Family Club, Rosa Clark Medical Association, Sabrina House Children’s Charity, Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County, Shriners Hospital for Children, and Tamassee DAR School.
Blue Ridge Fest 2011 is scheduled for May 13-14.
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