The Foothills Gala organization announces Wells Fargo partnership for upcoming charity event

CLEMSON, SC – A common belief in strong communities has led to an alliance between The Foothills Gala organization of upstate SC and Wells Fargo.
Representatives of The Foothills Gala announced today that Wells Fargo will be the premier title partner in their upcoming February 25th “Diamonds & Denim” event created to help provide resources for charities of upstate SC.

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company that provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgages, and both consumer and commercial finance, across the upstate, North America, and internationally.
The philanthropic partnership will represent monetary support of $10,000 for the Foothills Gala organization which in turn will allow financial support for selected charities in the upstate counties of Anderson, Oconee and Pickens. Each year the non-profit organization selects a beneficiary charity in each of those three counties to be the recipient of funding. The charities selected typically do not belong to national charitable groups and rely mostly on community support.
“We are delighted to have Wells Fargo as our title sponsor this year for our Diamonds & Denim event,” said Cindy Swafford, executive director of The Foothills Gala.

”Caring community partners such as Wells Fargo are a major part of our success in touching so many lives of the less fortunate in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens County”.

Michael Wooles, market president for Wells Fargo in Oconee and Pickens Counties, stresses that the charitable alliance is testimony to the institution’s commitment to its communities.

“We are pleased to make this grant to the Foothills Gala to show our support for our local communities in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties,” said Wooles.
“This helps demonstrate Wells Fargo’s ongoing commitment to the local community. We’re responsible for being leaders to promote the long-term economic prosperity and quality of life for everyone in our communities. If they prosper, so do we.”

Left to right, Steve Smith, Our Daily Rest,  Oconee County; Andy Gibson, The LOT Project, Anderson County; Cindy Swafford, executive director The Foothills Gala; and Esther Corn, Gleaning Ministries, Pickens County.

The Foothills Gala also unveiled charities selected as 2012 recipients of its annual funding. Representing Anderson County, the Gala chose The LOT Project (food and clothing for homeless and needy families); in Oconee County, Our Daily Rest (shelter for temporarily homeless families and individuals); and, in Pickens County, Gleaning House Ministries (food pantry).

The Foothills Gala was established in 2001 to serve charities in Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee Counties that are not aligned with national organizations. This non-profit organization was founded by two businessmen in the area — Neal Workman of Trehel Corporation and Architect Mark Eggl — as a way to give back to their communities. The board of directors and members of the steering committee all volunteer their time and talents to provide the resources for local charities.
Since the creation of The Foothills Gala organization eleven years ago, the group has raised over $430,000 for local charities.