In This Issue:

»Dorcas Sunday School Class visits Emerald Center

            A large crowd of approximately 200 people attended Emerald Center’s open house on October 22 at the new location at 101 R L Sawyer MD Road.  A great deal of pride was evident as guests walked through the facility and were able to see Emerald Center clients and staff at work preparing cameras for recycling or assembling mops and brooms.  Refreshments were served in the new “state-of-the-art” cafeteria.

The new 15,000 square foot facility provides day program services for adults from Edgefield and Saluda counties.   Dr. Bill Sawyer donated the property for the construction of the center.   Service Coordination and Early Intervention offices are also located in the center.

             Since 1977 Emerald Center has provided services to Saluda and Edgefield counties when the multi-county board (serving Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick and Saluda counties) was formed.  Individuals with disabilities and special needs were transported to Greenwood for day program services until the center was opened on West Highland Street in 1986.  Due to the growth and demand for services, the West Highland Street facility became inadequate.

             “We are excited and pleased with the new facility.  For some time we have been overcrowded at the old facility.  We have always appreciated the acceptance and support from the communities in Edgefield and Saluda counties.  We especially want to thank Dr. Bill Sawyer for his help in making this new center become a reality,” stated J. Felton Burton, Executive Director.

             The day program provides a safe, healthy work and training environment for adults over the age of 21.  These individuals are trained in vocational skills through in-house contracts and projects for local businesses, which include the Wild Turkey Federation, Fuji Photo Film, Greenwood Mop and Broom Company and the O’Dell Corporation.  The individuals are able to gain valuable work skills while earning money.  Progression to other employment opportunities is the long-term aim of this area. On an individual basis, training is also offered in socialization, self-help and independent living skills.  Through the supported employment program individuals are also employed in Edgefield at McDonalds and in Saluda at Hardee’s and Piggly Wiggly.

Emerald Center provides services for over 800 people with disabilities and special needs (autism, mental retardation, head injuries, spinal cord injuries and related lifelong disabilities) in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick and Saluda counties with 345 staff members.  Day programs are provided at the centers in Greenwood, Saluda and Ware Shoals with residential services provided in 19 community residences, community training homes and several apartment complexes throughout the five counties.  Child Development, Early Intervention, Respite, Rehab Support, Head and Spinal Cord Injury services are also provided.

For information concerning services please contact the Service Coordination office in Saluda at 445-8178.

101 RL Sawyer MD Road

Emerald Center’s Saluda day Program Open House

Dear Friends,

             The purpose of this letter is to let you know about some very special needs at Christmas.  The Emerald Center staff has compiled a list of 151 people with disabilities needing our help.   The gifts that have been made possible by the Foundation’s Special Needs at Christmas, in most cases, are the only gifts that these clients receive.  This is the eighth year of this campaign and I am happy to report that over 1,200 people have been helped.

 If you would like to help with this effort, please send your contributions to the Emerald Center Foundation, P. O. Box 3004, Greenwood, SC.   If you would like a copy of the list of the needs, please contact Ann Hembree in the Foundation Office at 942-4902 or by writing Emerald Center Foundation, P. O. Box 3004, Greenwood, SC  29648. Your donations are tax deductible.    

             It is a privilege for me to help the Foundation continue the great tradition it has for making Christmas a special time for all of our clients.

 We truly appreciate whatever you can give, and we know our clients will too.

                                                                        With warm regards,

                                                                         Doris D. Burton

                                                                         Chairperson

                                                                         Special Needs at Christmas Campaign