Paying It Forward: Laurens Electric Apprentice Donates to Shriners Hospitals for Children

Apprentice Line Technician Caleb Penland of Laurens Electric Cooperative has chosen to pay forward $500 to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Greenville through the company’s Pay It Forward program.

Penland shared that his decision was deeply personal. Before his cousin was born, he suffered a stroke, and Shriners provided exceptional care—not only to his cousin but to the entire family during a challenging time.

Shriners Hospitals for Children — Greenville serves young patients from across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, and nearby states. Established in 1927, the Greenville facility is part of an international network of 22 pediatric hospitals committed to transforming children’s lives through expert specialty care, groundbreaking research, and advanced teaching programs.

The 50-bed pediatric orthopedic hospital features two operating rooms, 15 outpatient exam rooms, and an in-house prosthetics and orthotics department. It also includes a motion analysis center, various therapy departments, a KidZone filled with games and activities, and a fully accessible playground.

The hospital system, founded in 1922, has maintained its mission of providing top-tier medical care to children, regardless of their families’ ability to pay or insurance status. Today, that mission continues to grow.

For those interested in learning more, volunteering, or donating, visit shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/greenville.

Laurens Electric’s Pay It Forward program began in 2015. Each month, an employee’s name is randomly selected to receive $500 to use for an act of kindness of their choice. The initiative is funded through Laurens Electric’s charity events and remains budget-neutral thanks to the dedication of employee volunteers.