LEAD Upstate’s generous contribution to K9 Teams: Funds presentation for two departments

On Wednesday, October 25th, LEAD Upstate, a community organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement personnel in Greenville County, marked the conclusion of its 9th year of heartfelt appreciation and support. Their mission culminated in a press conference at the Upstate Warrior Solution Building, where they presented a generous financial contribution of $4,000 to both the Greenville Police Department K9 Team and the Mauldin Police Department K9 Team. These contributions reflect the LEAD Upstate’s commitment to recognizing the invaluable work of K9 teams in safeguarding the community.

Seabrook Marchant, President/Broker in Charge of Marchant Real Estate, Inc. and Founder of LEAD Upstate, delivered the welcome remarks at the press conference. He expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support received from the community and local business leaders, making this year the most successful one to date. He stated, “This year marks the ninth year of LEAD Upstate, and it’s the biggest event in the county to say thank you to law enforcement personnel in Greenville County. It was our most successful year as our efforts continue to grow and the business and community support has been tremendous.”

Marchant emphasized the growing importance of K9 programs within law enforcement agencies while acknowledging the increased costs associated with their expansion. He continued, “Closing out the 2023 program, we are pleased to support the K-9 programs of two law enforcement agencies – the City of Greenville and the City of Mauldin. The K9 programs are becoming increasingly important, but growing these programs also increases cost, some of which is not covered in the department budgets. Today, we are excited to present the Greenville K9 Program and the Mauldin K9 program each with a check to support the work of their K9 departments.”

LEAD Upstate’s 2023 K9 Sponsors, United Community, in their second year of sponsorship, and ProSource, played a vital role in making these contributions possible. Michelle Seaver, President of Greenville Spartanburg at United Community, and Drew Roberts, Chief Executive Officer at ProSource, attended the event and expressed their commitment to supporting the K9 teams.

“We are honored to stand alongside LEAD Upstate in recognizing the increased importance of K9 teams in law enforcement and the invaluable work they do to ensure the safety of our community. United Community is proud to be part of this essential initiative,” remarked Michelle Seaver, President of Greenville Spartanburg at United Community, emphasizing the bank’s commitment to the cause.

Drew Roberts, Chief Executive Officer at ProSource, expressed the following sentiments during the press conference: “At ProSource, we believe in the power of partnerships and the impact they can have on our communities. We’re delighted to join forces with LEAD Upstate to support the K9 teams, whose dedication and service make our neighborhoods safer. This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to building a safer and stronger community for all.”

Chief Howie Thompson of the City of Greenville and Captain Clardy of the Mauldin Police Department were present at the press conference to receive the funds on behalf of their respective departments. Both organizations had members of their K-9 teams in attendance, underscoring the significance of these contributions in ensuring the continued success of these essential law enforcement programs.

LEAD Upstate’s support of K9 teams is a testament to the organization’s unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the Greenville County community.

As LEAD Upstate’s 2023 activities come to a close, the organization is looking ahead to 2024, the 10^th year of saying thank you to the dedicated service to the brave law enforcement personnel of Greenville County and fostering a stronger bond between the community and those who protect it.