'Are You Smarter' Event Raises $175,000 for Greenville County Schools

August 22, 2010

GREENVILLE, SC – August 21, 2010 – Although Greer Mayor Rick Danner took home the title of first-ever winner of Are You Smarter Than A Greenville County Schools Fifth Grader? game show, the real winner was Greenville County Schools. With a live, studio audience of more than 1,200, the fund-raiser held at the Carolina First Center Saturday evening raised more than $175,000. All proceeds from the event go directly to district schools to fund critically needed supplies.

For the Upstate community to give so generously speaks volumes about how deeply they care about our schools and our children, said Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher, superintendent of Greenville County Schools. It was a magical evening of fun – and learning – and we’d like to thank everyone for coming out and supporting Greenville County Schools.

The event was underwritten by Michelin, who presented the donation check to Dr. Fisher at the end of the evening.

It’s no secret that our schools’ budget situation has become a matter of critical importance, said Dick Wilkerson, chairman and president of Michelin North America. This event served as a great opportunity for Michelin – along with many community and business leaders – to step up and do something about it.

In addition to Michelin, other corporate sponsors included Senior Level sponsor ScanSource, Junior Level sponsors Erwin-Penland and Greenville Hospital System among others. For a full list of sponsors, please visit www.HelpSmartKids.com.

The celebrity contestants who participated, in alphabetical order, are:

  —  Beth Bradley & Bill Ellis, co-hosts of the Ellis & Bradley Morning Show on WSSL radio
  —  Mayor Rick Danner, city of Greer
  —  Gordon Dill, news anchor for News 4, WYFF-TV
  —  Hawk Harrison & Tom Steele, hosts of the Hawk & Tom Morning Show on B93.7 radio
  —  Kimberly Kelly, host of Scene on Seven and co-host of Jack & Kimberly on WSPA-TV
  —  Bill Love & Marne Mason, hosts of Love in the Morning on WMYI radio
  —  Kelly Mac, radio personality on 107.3 JAMZ radio
  —  Mayor Wayne McCall, city of Travelers Rest
  —  Diana Watson, news anchor for FOX Carolina, WHNS-TV