Upstate Giving, Nov. 30

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Real Men Wear Pink raises more than $200,000 for the American Cancer Center

Real Men Wear Pink Campaign’s 28-man Greenville team set a new record by raising more than $200,000 for the American Cancer Society. Team Member Stan Bikulege of Novolex individually raised more than $80,000, making him the second highest individual fundraiser in the country.

In honor of his mother who battled cancer, Bikulege posted a Facebook picture wearing pink every day of the event to raise funding and support, according to a news release.

“This program is an incredible way to bring awareness to not only breast cancer research but the overall strides the American Cancer Society is making in our communities,” Chuck Villa, the CEO of Jadex and the campaign’s 2020 chair, said in the release. “I was humbled to serve as chair for our Real Men Wear Pink campaign and see the impact these gentlemen made when they worked together for good.”

Connect for Good GVL expands program with county grant

Connect for Good GVL, a nonprofit that offers free meals to those impacted by COVID-19, has distributed 20,000 meals and has plans to expand with a $500,000 grant from the Greenville County Cares fund in conjunction with Greenville’s culinary festival Euphoria.

The Connect for Good GVL initiative started when a Table 301 event was cancelled due to COVID-19 and Advoco had surplus meals on hand, according to a news release. At first, it delivered 500 meals each week. Now, the group delivers 5,000.

Nonprofit Local Boys Do Good, doing business as Euphoria, manages the supply-chain logistics, distribution, budget, restaurant partners and volunteers of the operation, according to the news release. The grant has allowed the group to donate an additional 5,256 meals throughout the Greenville area, according to a news release.

Connect for Good GVL plans to deliver more than 50,000 total meals to the community by the conclusion of 2020 through assistance from local vendors including the Table 301 Restaurant Group, Larkin’s Restaurants, The Habitap, Grits & Groceries, The Cook’s Station, Fork and Plough, West End Events at Fluor Field, Jianna, Nard’s Backyard BBQ and Bobby’s BBQ.

Bon Secours kicks off toy drive Saturday

In lieu of the Bon Secours St. Francis’ annual Teddy Bear Luncheon fundraiser, the hospital will host a drive-thru toy drive at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena from 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Duke Energy aids Oconee charities with Festival of Trees

Online spectators of Duke Energy’s virtual Festival of Trees can help direct donations from the utility company to their favorite Upstate charity — or the one that decorated the most impressive Christmas tree.

The virtual display will be visible Nov. 30-Jan. 8 online, according to a news release, and the nonprofits that decorated trees and receive the top three votes will receive a respective $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000 donation.

Participant nonprofits include BabyRead, JoAnn Johnson Media Foundation, Making My Mark, Friends of Lake Keowee Society, Grace’s Closet, Meals on Wheels-Anderson, Oconee Christian Academy, Oconee Community Theatre, Oconee History Museum, Oconee Humane Society, S.C. Vets Care Foundation, Tamassee DAR School, The Pilot Club of Seneca, The Potter’s House and YouthLink.