South Carolina Water Utilities employees dedicate nearly 700 hours to supporting local communities in 2024
January 21, 2025At South Carolina Water Utilities (SCWU), giving back to the community is more than just a priority—it’s part of our company culture. Through meaningful partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the Palmetto State, SCWU employees dedicate their time and talents to making a lasting impact in our communities. In 2024, our team contributed an average of six hours of community service per employee, resulting in 670 hours of volunteer work statewide. These efforts are but a few examples of how we strive to support the communities we serve, from the Upstate to the Lowcountry. Whether supporting local families, preserving our environment, or providing students with essential resources, SCWU takes pride in helping build a better South Carolina for generations to come.
Here are some of the key community initiatives SCWU employees participated in throughout the year:
Holiday Cheer for Local Families
This holiday season, the Midlands offices of SCWU made a meaningful impact by participating in Families Helping Families, a Midlands-based program that has provided assistance to over 3,700 families across South Carolina. SCWU team members Lauren Hutson, Maxine Lloyd, Yvonne Farrar, Robin Sturgiss, Adam Delk, and Lizzie Wright came together to purchase and deliver gifts, along with Walmart gift cards, to brighten the season for a local family in need.
Toy Drives to Bring Holiday Joy
The Lowcountry offices, led by Director of Operations Becky Dennis and Quality Assurance Technician Ed McCray, collected toys for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. The team delivered two SUVs full of toys, bringing holiday cheer and excitement to children in the Lowcountry. “What a joy it was to share such an outpouring of generosity,” said Becky Dennis.
Coat & Blanket Collection for Neighbors in Need
In November, employees at the Midlands offices collected coats and blankets for The Salvation Army of the Midlands, ensuring that those in need had warm clothing as the colder weather set in. Two large barrels filled with donations were delivered to help provide comfort to local families.
Supporting Breast Cancer Research
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, SCWU employees Nikia Barczak, Amber Cain, Lizzie Wright, and Dorian Barnes participated in the Walk for Life, raising awareness and funds to support breast cancer research and local survivors. With breast cancer impacting countless families in our community, SCWU has proudly supported this cause for the past eight years.
Local Cleanup Efforts
Our Piedmont team, led by Adam James, rolled up their sleeves to clean up a section of highway adopted by Blue Granite Water in Rock Hill. This project is just one example of the many ways SCWU employees come together to care for the environment and keep our communities clean.
Home Renovation Project with Home Works of America
Earlier in the fall, SCWU employees supported a local family through a home renovation project with Home Works of America. Home Works is a nonprofit organization providing home repair services to low- income homeowners while mentoring and teaching youth in the process. In a day-long project led by SCWU’s Tim Thornton, employees helped build a new exterior fence, repaired plumbing, replaced a faucet, and tackled a variety of other tasks to improve the living conditions of a West Columbia woman. Madelyn Smith of Home Works said, “A huge thank you to you and your team for the incredible work and time put in…Heard nothing but good things, and [our homeowner] is in a much better home environment thanks to all the hard work.”
School Supply Drive Across the State
Back-to-school season saw SCWU employees rally together across the state in support of local students. In the Upstate, Blue Granite Water employees filled 12 backpacks with essential school supplies for Bryson Middle School in Simpsonville. In the Midlands, Palmetto Utilities employees collected supplies to fill backpacks for around 100 students, with help from The Salvation Army of the Midlands. On the coast, Kiawah Island Utilities worked with Lowcountry Orphan Relief to provide supplies for at-risk children in the area.
Rallying for Water Access
In the spring, thousands gathered in Charleston to raise awareness and support for Water Mission, a South Carolina-based nonprofit organization that designs, builds, and implements safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions in developing countries and disaster areas. Employees from SCWU’s Kiawah Island Utilities participated in the walk to help raise both funds and awareness for the critical mission of providing clean, safe water to those in need. Since its founding in 2001, Water Mission has provided access to safe water for over 3 million people in 52 countries.
“Our employees are passionate about supporting the communities where we live and work,” said Craig Sorensen, President of SCWU. “We are incredibly proud of the countless hours our team has dedicated in 2024, and these initiatives are just a small reflection of our ongoing commitment to giving back.”
About South Carolina Water Utilities, Inc.
South Carolina Water Utilities, Inc. (SCWU) is the state’s largest private, regulated water and wastewater utility, serving communities across the state. SCWU and its member companies—Blue Granite Water, Palmetto Utilities, and Kiawah Island Utilities—are committed to providing high-quality water and wastewater services while actively engaging in charitable efforts that support local communities. To learn more about SCWU please visit www.swwc.com/sc.