s and Aspirations of Women in Upstate South Carolina 
Focus On Your Health in 2010
From Staff Reports
Jewel of the Carolinas
Considered by many to be among the top annual benefit events in the Piedmont, the Jewel of the Carolinas each spring is a blend of trendy shopping and volunteerism at its finest.
This year’s 7th Annual Jewel of the Carolinas is March 12-14 at the Baxter Hood Convention Center in Rock Hill.
This year’s beneficiaries are the Palmetto Volunteers in Medicine, Keystone Substance Abuse Services, and Family Connection of SC, Inc.
Some new features at “The Jewel” this year include cooking demos, a “meet and greet” session with local book authors, and a session with area gardening experts.
One of the other annual highlights is Girls Night Out, which is 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 12 at Baxter Hood Center, and includes a wine and cheese social and samples from area restaurants.
Through the support of dozens of exhibitors, sponsors and volunteers, the “Jewel” has resulted in donations of more than $400,000 over the past six years to community agencies.
Tickets are $4 in advance and $5 at the door. Each ticket is valid for all three days. Tickets can be purchased from any JWL member, at various local area merchants, or at 803-329-7566.
The Junior Welfare League was established in 1938. Today, the organization continues to grow and carry on the long tradition of caring and sharing that was set six decades ago.
Due to the commitment and dedication of hard working members, the organization has raised over $775,000 through various fundraising projects in the last 10 years.
Here’s a breakdown of this year’s beneficiaries:
Palmetto Volunteers in Medicine Clinic: Provides medical services for low income, uninsured residents of York County.
Keystone Substance Abuse Services: Provides a wide range of substance abuse prevention, intervention and treatment programs.
Family Connection of SC, Inc.: A network of parents working with community professionals to provide parent-to-parent support and assurance to families with children of all ages who have special needs.
Pictured left to right are Beta Sigma Phi members:
Heather Harr, Heather Doran and Kim Biehl.
Photo by Andy Burriss
Beta Sigma Phi:
Golf benefit for schools
Hundreds of Fort Mill youths eagerly look forward to field trips each year. It can be one of the most insightful school experiences for a child.
But, because of recent budgetary restrictions, some kids don’t have access to field trips.
So, in steps Beta Sigma Phi, a Fort Mill-based group of 40 women dedicated to year-round community service and innovative fund-raisers, including one of the county’s biggest golf benefits.
The organization netted $8,000 in last year’s charity golf event for Foundation for Fort Mill Schools. With last year’s proceeds, believing that no student should be denied being able to participate in a field trip due to financial constraints,
Beta Sigma Phi awarded $500 to each of the 11 schools in Fort Mill.
This year’s 4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament is Monday, April 26, at Springfield Golf Club in Fort Mill.
There are still multiple sponsorship and golfing opportunities available for this year’s golf benefit. To participate as a sponsor or golfer, contact BSP’s Heather Doran at doranh@fort-mill.k12.sc.us.
Over the last few years, BSP has also created and coordinated other fund-raisers generating thousands of dollars in donations to the Fort Mill Care Center, Fort Mill Resource Center, York County Humane Society, and York County Council On Aging.
Beta Sigma Phi last fall held a charity fundraiser that raised $1,300 to benefit the Fort Mill Care Center. Beta Sigma Phi also assists the center every year in sorting canned goods brought in by the Girl Scouts.
Other projects have included providing money to each elementary school for their “Angel Tree” to assist families during the holidays, partnering with local groups to collect items needed for the animal shelter, and providing senior citizens with personal hygiene items through a “Shoeboxes For Seniors” project sponsored by the Council On Aging.
Doran has been a member of BSP the last three years and is the current president of the local chapter.
“Being a part of Beta Sigma Phi has allowed me to not only meet wonderful women within our community, but to also make lasting friendships. It is wonderful to be a part of an organization where all of its members have one common goal and that is to help make a difference,” she said.