Palmetto GBA employees strive to improve the quality of life for others in their communities. They most often volunteer their time, talent and treasure to charitable organizations that support human services and animal welfare. This year, Palmetto GBA employees participated in 39 projects, volunteering almost 550 hours and collecting and distributing more than 1,950 items and $12,000 in donations.

Central Carolina Community Foundation staff reviewed this year’s Best of Philanthropy Award nominations from eight company divisions and chose one winner for the time and talent category and one for the treasure category. The winning divisions were each given $1,500 to donate to a worthy non-profit organization.

Time and Talent Winner: Finance &Accounting

The Finance & Accounting Division (54) had 117 team members volunteer 360 hours during 2023, helping more than 900 individuals across the Midlands of South Carolina. During the first half of the year, the division collected supplies and financial donations to help students attending Southeast Middle School in rural Hopkins, South Carolina, and Epworth Children’s Home in Columbia. These gifts prepared 200 children for a new school year.

During the second half of the year, they served meals to more than 650 clients at Transitions Homeless Center in Columbia. The associates found time to volunteer by sacrificing their lunch breaks and working extra hours to cover their hours away from work. The division also adopted four families and two individuals for the holiday season. Their combined donations made gifts of bicycles, toys, clothing, shoes, gift cards and more possible for those in need.

The Finance & Accounting Division donated their $1,500 to Transitions Homeless Center. Members of the division presented the check to Craig Currey, chief executive officer, and Marla Armfield, volunteer coordinator, at Transitions in downtown Columbia on June 5, 2024.

Finance and Accounting Division volunteers presented their $1,500 donation to Transitions CEO Craig Currey (center) and volunteer coordinator Marla Armfield (center left).

Treasure Winner: Shared Services

During 2023, the Shared Service Division (05/29) donated more than $2,100 and nearly 350 items to help children, adults and animals across South Carolina and Central Ohio. Their gifts of treasure supported many worthy organizations including seven children’s hospitals, including Prisma, St. Jude, and McLeod; the Oliver Gospel Mission; the Mid-Ohio Food Collective and seven animal shelters.

The Shared Services Division is donating their $1,500 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.