Lt. Governor Andre Bauer was in Greenville Tuesday at the Redemption World Outreach Center Teen Arena distributing 200 blankets to the needy. It’s part of what Bauer calls his “Blanket Blitz.” The blankets were purchased with funds from the Palmetto Tomorrow Foundation, which operates on donations.
“We’ve been fortunate,” said Bauer. “Some big players have stepped up and we have raised more money this year than ever. I think it speaks volumes. South Carolina ranks number one each year in giving. Even though we’re a rural state people are helping out their family, friends and neighbors. I think it says a lot about our state. It’s about helping those who’re down, not about helping Big Brother government which continues to grow.”
This is the third year for the effort. Bauer says 5000 blankets were given away last February, and already 1000 have been given away this month and he hopes that another 5000 will go out this coming February.
The Lt. Governor says the foundation is staffed only by volunteers so all the money raised goes to the people. And blankets are not all that the Palmetto Tomorrow Foundation gives away. The organization teamed up with Samaritans’ Feet to give out thousands of pairs of shoes to children.
The blankets are produced by a South Carolina company, Springs Industries, which has facilities in Lancaster and Rock Hill.
Bauer says it’s a way for seniors to reduce heating costs. “But it also sends a warming message that there are people who love and care about you,” he said. “And as people are living longer than ever before and we have more seniors in the state than ever before, we need to do all that we can to encourage those seniors to stay in their homes. It saves us all tax dollars if we do that.”
For more information, go to PalmettoTomorrow.org.
