UWGH in the News

SPC CARES FOUNDATION SUPPORTS GREATER HARTSVILLE UNITED WAY ROOF REPAIR INITIATIVE

Darlington News & Press

June 18, 2025

A $25,000 matching gift from SPC Credit Union’s SPC Cares Foundation will enable the United Way of Greater Hartsville to cover the costs of roof replacements for eight Darlington County homeowners.

This dollar-for-dollar matching campaign was made possible by the determination of the United Way of Greater Hartsville’s Executive Director, Joann DeLong, who worked tirelessly throughout the month of April to raise $25,000 in order to qualify for the Cares Foundation’s matching funds to meet the campaign goal of $50,000. Area locals will recall this campaign from years past, fondly dubbed “Christmas in April.”

Historically, this program primarily targeted elderly residents of Hartsville who were living on income from Social Security and often faced the difficult decision of affording food, heat, or medications. Many were also raising grandchildren. As a result, any home repair was squarely out of reach. The Christmas in April campaign addressed the needs of these homeowners through a systematic approach that brought elderly residents a feeling of joy equal to that of their younger counterparts at Christmas.

  • Although the official Christmas in April campaign lost its momentum and funding several years back, the housing repair needs of local low-income seniors have persisted, as has DeLong’s determination to meet those needs. She shared, “My goal is to work with our struggling, low-income seniors to replace roofs. However, it is my hope that we will have other contributions come in so that we can expand on this.”

    Linda Weatherford, President and CEO of SPC Credit Union, said of the Credit Union’s investment in this need: “The SPC Cares Foundation’s focus on housing and hunger make it an ideal partner for this project.” Under her leadership, the Foundation’s Advisory Committee approved a matching gift of up to $25,000 that was granted to the United Way of Greater Hartsville following a successful internal fundraising campaign to raise the $25,000 base.

    The United Way of Greater Hartsville keeps a running list of incoming requests that are addressed as funding becomes available. The current list includes eight roof replacements, four families in need of heat pumps, one elderly man with rotted flooring beneath his commode, one elderly widow raising three grandsons whose water bill is triple what it ought to be, an elderly man in need of a new water heater, and another elderly woman raising her grandsons in a mobile home littered with holes in the floor. The $50,000 sum will be designated to roofing repairs, followed by subsequent repair needs listed above, if excess funding remains. DeLong initiated the first roofing project in early June.

    In order to qualify for assistance for roof and housing repairs through the United Way of Greater Hartsville, the home must be owner-occupied and property taxes must be current. The United Way also requires that contractors provide quotes prior to beginning work on the home and that contractors be local, bonded/insured, and licensed. Quotes, payments, and photographs are documented for immediate review and reporting. Projects are accepted on a referral basis from churches, doctor’s offices, and insurance companies rather than an open application process. Priority is given to seniors, veterans, and the disabled.

    The SPC Cares Foundation was established in 2024 as a way for SPC Credit Union to strategically support four key development issues: Hunger, Housing, Employment, & Education. The Foundation supports communities in Darlington, Florence, Chesterfield, and Marlboro Counties through monetary donations, in-kind donation drives, and volunteerism. The Foundation includes a Community Impact Fund, SPC Scholarship Fund, Down Payment Assistance Fund, and the Member Hardship Fund.

Hartsville Chamber of Commerce - Try it Tuesday

August 20, 2024

For this week's Try it Tuesday, we visited United Way of Greater Hartsville to learn about their programs and their needs!

UWGH - ALL of our programs are made possible through the generosity of our community members who GIVE, as we do NOT receive any State or Federal funding.

Our biggest needs currently are for New Teenage Backpacks, New or Gently Used Kitchenwares, New or Gently Used Comforters and Blankets, and Coats for our upcoming Coats4Kids drive. We can always use monetary donations.

  • You can choose which program your donation impacts when donations are made on our website giving page, at the following link: unitedwayofgreaterhartsville.org/give. Your donations in any amount make a Big Difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors most in need. We are NOT a Handout, but a Helping Hand for those who are working to improve their own situation. Thank You!

    Also, we'd love to send you our quarterly newsletter to keep you up to date with all we're doing in our community. Please click here to sign up: Sign Up Here!!

United Way of Greater Hartsville holds open house

Bob Sloan - SCNow

November 14, 2023

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – A joyous and festive atmosphere complete with holiday decorations adorning the lobby was the scene Dec. 9 as the United Way of Greater Hartsville held a ribbon cutting and open house at its new office in Downtown Hartsville as part of a Chamber of Commerce Connections After Hours event.

“We finally have everything under one roof,” said United Way of Greater Hartsville Executive Director Joann DeLong. “We have gone from about 1,000 square feet of space to about 3,000 square feet and from renting to owning our building. This will make it easier for people to find us. I love the visibility. We have a new and larger sign, too.” The organization moved into the new location in August of last year, but spent the last year updating and remodeling the building, located at 341 West Carolina Avenue. It also changed its name from United Way of Hartsville to the United Way of Greater Hartsville. The organization has been serving the entirety of Darlington County for several years. “We wanted a name to encompass all those we serve, but still be cognizant of our major funds coming from and being spent in Hartsville,” said DeLong.

  • She also announced the theme for this year’s campaign – “Give Where You Live.” DeLong, who is starting her 11th year at United Way, is assisted by programs assistant Bridget Hall and marketing director Stephanie Soto-Cruz. The United Way has served Hartsville since 1959.

    “Besides funding 17 programs within 14 organizations that serve Darlington County, United Way of Greater Hartsville seeks and addresses both small and large issues to make our community a better place to live for all,” DeLong said. “We do this by collaborating with government officials, for profit and non-profit organizations, churches, businesses, public and private schools and social groups. Our focus areas are health initiatives, education and financial stability, which is broad enough to cover many issues.” In addition to helping to fund Meals-on-Wheels, utility and rent/mortgage assistance and after school care scholarships the United Way has in-house programs as well. “We’re proud to say that we have one of the nation’s largest bed programs, “Operation Sweet Dreams,” which has provided more than 1,300 beds and cribs to date to children and seniors,” DeLong said. “Our Coats4Kids distributes more than 550 coats per year (along with gloves and hats) to students of all ages. More than 290 heavy-duty filled backpacks are provided to middle and high school students each year. Fire victims not only receive clothing and personal items, but they receive new necessary items for the bedroom, bath and kitchen, including a major appliance if needed. Our baby pantry provides much needed clothing and diapers for foster parents/grandparents suddenly finding themselves caring for an infant or small child. The homeless receive food, insulated clothing, coats, wool socks and ‘0’ degree sleeping bags. Should a disaster arise, we’re here to provide tarps, grocery cards, adult diapers/pull-ups and personal hygiene items.”

    DeLong said United Way is here to make a difference in the community. “Many are under the impression that we only assist low income residents, but that can’t be further from the truth,” DeLong said. “One day you’re fine and the next day you realize you need help. That’s when you call United Way. “

    During the open house DeLong expressed her gratitude to the organization’s many corporate and individual supporters and those businesses and individuals who provided funds or resources for renovations. She reminded them that the United Way of Hartsville does not receive any state or federal funding. “We exist strictly on contributions, which means we would not be able to do any of what we do without you,” said DeLong. “On behalf of myself and the board, I can’t begin to thank you enough.”

    The United Way of Greater Hartsville Board of Trustees includes Roger Buckley (Chariman), Karine Thomas, Lauren Baker, Brandon Beasley , Patrick Flynn, Keith Chafin, Ben Chastain, Graham Segars, and Ross Johnson.

    DeLong directed their attention to a plaque hanging on the wall above handcrafted bookcase in the lobby that was donated by Mark Schowalter. “That plaque is to recognize those donors who saw our vision, and we want to personally thank these donors, who have helped to make our dream, of finally owning a permanent home, a reality by providing funds or resources for renovations,” said DeLong. The donors listed on the plaque are Sonoco, Jody and Donna Dunlap, Paul and Ashley Reardon, North Industrial Machine – Danny Johnson, Lowe’s, Dick and Sylvia Puffer, Mark and Eunice Schowalter, Bryan Griggs HVAC and Electrical, AMIS Structures Albert Wingfield, Dawkins Concrete Curry Dawkins, Dr. Richard and JoAnn Conner, Sandhills Roofing, and Ricky Anderson.

Hartsville United Way bed program makes big impact

DEIRDRE CURRIN Morning News

September 11, 2023

HARTSVILLE, S.C. — Since 1959 United Way has been operating in and aiding the communities of Darlington County through coat drives, bed donations and other programs.

Through donations and grants United Way is responsible for many well-known community projects such as coat donation boxes during winter, backpack/school supplies gathering for children in need and the Dear Santa initiative that grants children’s Christmas wishes.

“The number one request was food, [and] the second request was school supplies,” Hartsville United Way Executive Director Joann DeLong said about Dear Santa. “The third request after that was a mix of things — warm coats, then it was “Can I have shoes that don’t hurt my feet, can I have my own shoes so I don’t have to share with my brother, can I have my own bed?”’

United Way of Hartsville is tasked with listening to the community, identifying needs and then creating programs based on those needs. When the need has been adequately met, the program is allowed to end as there is no expectation for it to last longer than the community’s need for it.

One of United Way’s programs that community members may not be aware of is Operation Sweet Dreams — an initiative that gives beds and bedding to Darlington County youths and seniors who do not have a bed to sleep on.

  • United Way’s bed program — which targets infants to college aged youth and elders 60 and up — was first directed towards disaster victims, specifically those whose residences had burned down. Through the program DeLong learned that many children and elders in the community did not have beds to sleep on. “It wasn’t just for our fire victims, though, at this point,” DeLong said. “I was also getting calls from, say, the social workers at the school, at the hospital, at CareSouth and they’re all asking me, “Do you have any beds?” These were for children that were sleeping on the floor and they had asthma or sleeping in a house with no heat; for children they found sleeping on glass because the window had broken and that’s where the child slept. Some houses had bugs or they were sharing beds — there’d be three children to a twin-sized bed — so I decided to expand on this program.” Currently a total of 1,192 beds and cribs have been given away to those in need alongside blankets, sheet sets and stuffed animals for children.

    One case that stood out to DeLong was of a teenage boy who received his first bed of his life from United Way.

    Hartsville United Way has been in existence since 1959 but began to centralize its mission toward community impact in 2015.

    DeLong said United Way is a good organization to donate to if donors wants to ensure their money is going toward Darlington County problems. Donations can be made in person or at https://www.unitedwayhartsville.org/.

United Way of Hartsville moves for better visibility and more space

Ardath Arvidson

August 17, 2022

HARTSVILLE – United Way of Hartsville has moved to a new location on Carolina Avenue.

“We have gone from about 1,000 square feet of space to about 3,000 square feet and from renting to owning our building” said United Way Executive Director Joann DeLong. “We are so excited. This has been a dream of mine. Moving has been on my mind for at least three years.”

The new building is located at 341 W. Carolina Ave. It is the previous SCE&G building next door to IGA.

“We finely have everything under one roof,” DeLong said.

She said the additional space will allow them to be more organized and perhaps expand their services.

DeLong said they made the move in mid-July but are still getting settled in. She said there were some renovations to be made.

“It will be easier for people to find us,” she said. “I love the visibility. We have a new and larger sign, too.”

DeLong said she knew they wanted to be closer to downtown. When this building was listed, she said it seemed the perfect place. She made an offer.

  • “I have been telling my board for over two years to keep their eyes open for a building within two blocks of downtown with lots of parking and enough room to grow and serve the community,” DeLong said. “I love this location. It is great for walking traffic. I see this as a very positive move.”

    DeLong, who is starting her 10th year at United Way, said United Way has been in Hartsville since 1959, and there are still people who aren’t aware that they exist or what they do.

    “Besides funding 20 programs within 17 organizations that serve Darlington County, United Way of Hartsville seeks and addresses both small and large issues to make our community a better place to live for all,” DeLong said. “We do this by collaborating with government officials, for profit and non-profit organizations, churches, businesses, public and private schools and social groups. Our focus areas are Health, Education and Financial Stability, which is broad enough to cover many issues.”

    In addition to helping to fund Meals-on-Wheels, utility and rent assistance and after school care scholarships—just to name a few – United Way has in-house programs as well.

    “We’re proud to say that we have one of the nation’s largest bed programs, “Operation Sweet Dreams,” providing over 960 beds and cribs to date to children and seniors,” DeLong said. “Our Coats4Kids distributes more than 550 coats per year (along with gloves and hats) to students of all ages. More than 250 heavy-duty filled backpacks are provided to middle and high school students each year. Fire victims not only receive clothing and personal items, but they receive new necessary items for the bedroom, bath and kitchen, including a major appliance. Our baby pantry provides much needed clothing and diapers for foster parents/grandparents suddenly finding themselves caring for an infant or small child. The homeless receive food, insulated clothing, coats, wool socks and ‘0’ degree sleeping bags. Should a disaster arise, we’re here to provide tarps, grocery cards, adult diapers/pull-ups and personal hygiene items.”

    DeLong said United Way is here to make a difference in the community.

    “Many are under the impression that we only assist low income residents, but that can’t be further from the truth,” DeLong said. “One day you’re fine and the next day you realize you need help. That’s when you call United Way. “

    She said all areas of the United States are covered by a United Way agency.

    “I cover the whole county,” DeLong said.

    DeLong is assisted by programs assistant Kelly Little.

    “I am hoping to add a third person at least part time,” DeLong said. “I want to be able to expand, and I couldn’t do that where we were located.”

United Way serves those in need through community partners

Darlington News & Press

March 7, 2017

By Melissa Rollins, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net

United Way of Hartsville is making a difference in the lives of the residents of Hartsville. That is the message that executive director Joanne DeLong shared with the Darlington County Coordinating Council during their meeting March 3.

DeLong said that Darlington County is unique in that it has two United Ways. The one she runs works specifically with the residents of Hartsville.

“Our goal is to improve the quality of our residents lives by working with local businesses, community leaders and volunteers and by supporting specific programs offered through several local non-profits that serve the Hartsville area. We also advocate for public policy which improve the community conditions in three focus areas: health, education and income.”

  • DeLong said that the community backing United Way receives is what allows it to help those in need.

    “We ask for financial support from individuals, local businesses and employees,” DeLong said. “All the funds we raise, except for the expenses to pay my salary and the rent, are awarded to the non-profits that we choose within the Hartsville area.”

    Three years ago, DeLong made the decision to restrict the funds give out to non-profits. She said that people are more likely to give a donation when they know exactly what it is going towards.

    “The funds we give out are restricted, which means they can only be used to serve the Hartsville community and only through the programs we choose within that non-profit organization,” DeLong said. “Once we choose an organization they are considered a community partner.”

    Some community partners are: Hartsville YMCA, Salvation Army, Darlington County First Steps, Pee Dee Speech and Hearing and the Boys and Girls Club.

    DeLong said that is surprising to see the statistics for the small area that United Way of Hartsville assists. Around 36 percent of children living in Hartsville live in poverty.

    “Hartsville proper has 7,500 people; that’s it,” DeLong said. “With that number, within the city limits, we have 797 single-parent households. When you donate to United Way of Hartsville, you make it possible to provide for after-school care, to provide for parenting education programs that are teaching the parent how to care for the children and also for daycare so that parents can go to school for night classes…”

    DeLong said that through grants, sometimes the United Way is able to help people who aren’t eligible for help through their community partners.

    “The children at North Hartsville Elementary School were not receiving the weekend food bags but they are also not a Title One school so they weren’t going to get them,” DeLong said. “They have the wealthiest kids and the poorest kids so together it kicked them out of Title One. I went back to the board and we decided to fund them, so that is how North Hartsville is getting the weekend food bags through Carolina’s Kids.”

    The community partners serve Hartsville residents all the way from small children through senior citizens and DeLong said that she is proud to be a part of that.

    For more information, visit www.unitedwayhartsville.org.