Good Stuff

Finlay Scholars “Back To School” Event Set

“PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE …” S.C. Rep. Kirkman Finlay (R-Columbia) and Richland County councilman Damon Jeter are joining forces with several corporate sponsors to provide back-to-school supplies for needy families. Finlay and Jeter –  along with Staples, AmerisBank and the South Carolina Forestry Foundation – will host a “Back to School Supply…

“PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE …”

S.C. Rep. Kirkman Finlay (R-Columbia) and Richland County councilman Damon Jeter are joining forces with several corporate sponsors to provide back-to-school supplies for needy families.

Finlay and Jeter –  along with Staples, AmerisBank and the South Carolina Forestry Foundation – will host a “Back to School Supply Drive” on Sunday, August 3 from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. EDT.

The event will be held in the parking lot of the Staples office supply store – located at 4464 Devine Street.  Finlay’s restaurant – Pawleys Front Porch – will be sending its mobile food truck to provide free hot dog dinners.  Activities for children (including a bounce house) will also be provided.

Finlay started the Finlay Scholars organization in memory of his late father, former Columbia, S.C. mayor Kirkman Finlay, Jr.

We love seeing this sort of thing …

Whenever individuals, businesses, non-profits and other groups get together, real needs are met.  There’s no layers of bureaucracy, fees or regulations involved in this process – just “people helping people,” as Vince Vaughn would say.

According to the Atlas of Giving, philanthropy in the United States soared by more than 13 percent in 2013 to a record $416.5 billion.  That’s amazing when you consider the extent to which Americans have been struggling during the recession and so-called “recovery.”

What’s also amazing?  When the private sector gives, roughly two-thirds of the money winds up going where it’s supposed to go – direct aid to recipients.  When government gets in the way as much as three-quarters of the money is sucked up by overhead costs.

Anyway … props to Finlay.  We continue to be impressed by his work as a lawmaker … and as a citizen.

Related posts

Events

Fireworks Bring Early Fourth of July to Lake Murray

Erin Parrott
Good Stuff

‘Harry Potter’ Author J.K. Rowling’s Yacht Spends Week In Charleston Harbor

Dylan Nolan
Good Stuff

Palmetto Past & Present: A VIP Arrives In South Carolina

Mark Powell

6 comments

:) July 28, 2014 at 2:30 pm

Good for weird beard! Will he be handing out government subsidized corn too?

Reply
874 Underwear July 28, 2014 at 3:00 pm

Fits – You should really make it less obvious that Kirkman Finlay is paying you.

Reply
The Colonel July 28, 2014 at 4:10 pm

Kirkman is Will’s “furry” bromance…

Reply
Allen Olson July 29, 2014 at 6:21 am

so what if Kirkman was paying him. What in this article isn’t true? It is great to see people stepping up to the plate to help others without “government intervention”. We shouldn’t demonize people for pointing out the good in others

Reply
874 Underwear July 29, 2014 at 10:35 am

“So what if Kirkman was paying him.” —> I just can’t…..

Reply
Henry MixMaster, Lt. Slumlord July 29, 2014 at 12:27 am

Sic Willie luvs the bears. Unlike my drunk brother, who prefers the 20-something waiters. Had to pry him away from a couple of the boys at the Wild Wings the other day.

Reply

Leave a Comment