Guest Blog!!

From Dr. Mercer and his blog, Leadership Notes:

Coming To America-- April 12, 2013

Last evening, with thunder clouds rolling in outside, seven area families were recognized at a dinner at the Upstate Family Resource Center for bringing a foreign exchange student into their homes this year. In collaboration with the EF Foundation, the UFRC facilitated the exchange. The Foundation, a family-owned non-profit whose mission is to break down barriers of language and culture through education and travel, was represented by Bob Fredette who flew in from Boston for the event.
The students have been here since this past summer and are from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany, South Korea, Italy and Spain. Three are enrolled at Boiling Springs High, two at Chesnee High and one each at Byrnes and Landrum. They have truly been immersed in American culture, and they have given us a glimpse of life from their homelands.They have learned about Krispy Kreme donuts, neighborhood ice cream trucks, peanut butter, Chick-Fil-A, high school football and school spirit, NASCAR, and Wal-Mart. They have been to Sliding Rock and Grandfather Mountain, the Grand Canyon, New York City, and Las Vegas. Some have learned to water ski or have participated in our athletic programs and pageants.
The host parents offered some insight and related some truly insightful comments. One said, "Since she came there have been tons of laughter in our house." Another stated, "Our daughter wanted an exchange student for her birthday. We are now as close as any of our children are." "He has been a blessing from God." "An eye opener in how they live their lives compared to how we live ours." "Not for the faint of heart; it's not easy, but oh the joy." One father said that he has learned, "No matter where you go in the world, teenage girls act the same."
Apparently there is quite a desire for students from around the world to visit America. Mr. Fredette said the Foundation gets 30,000 applicants each year which they narrow to 3,000. Host families may then go on-line to read profiles and letters from the potential students to find a match for their family. From the YouTube videos the students had put together, it seems they have truly embraced and enjoyed the year, as well.
If you have ever thought about hosting an international exchange student, give Kelley Ezell at the UFRC a call (864.578.1379), and she can tell you more about it. It also benefits the Center as the EF Foundation donated $7,000 in appreciation of the Center's involvement to help them find families.

Be a part of the Upstate Global Community

This was the inaugrial year for the partnership between the Upstate Family Resource Center and the EF Foundation, and what a wonderful year it has been!
Seven students from seven different countries came to our community to experience life in America and to share their culture as well.  It is safe to say that these teenagers have done more in this one school year than most teenagers do before adulthood.
The benefits are not only for the students--- their host families learn about a new culture first hand and gain a lasting friendship with the student and their families.

**don't miss the student videos at the bottom of this post**

Some of the exchange students had to opportunity to read to elementary school students

German exchange student, Marco, reads to Hendrix Elementary Students

Finnish exchange student, Reetta, reads to students at Boiling Springs Elementary School

 

Several students even created videos about their experiences--CHECK THESE OUT!
Iselin's video (voted best video by EF Foundation)
Francesca's video
Reetta's video
Marco's video


Interested in hosting a foreign exchange student next school year???   Call Kelley! 578-6013 For more information, visit the EF Foundation's website

Bi-Lo Helps Our 4 Legged Friends

PRESS RELEASE

BI-LO, LLC. | 208 BI-LO BLVD.   | GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA 29607 | (864)-213-2500

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Michelle Lisotto

BI-LO, LLC.

(423) 309-6424 (cell)

MichelleLisotto@sjp.com

BI-LO Teams with Shoppers to Stock Shelves with Pet Food at Local Food Banks
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 3, 2012)


— BI-LO is committed to helping the community and its customers receive the resources they need to care for the ones they love during tough financial times. BI-LO’s care extends beyond the reach of just individuals and family members to also include beloved household pets.

Beginning today through Tuesday, April 30, BI-LO will host its fourth annual PAWS "Feed the Love" campaign. "Feed the Love" is a pet food drive in which food donations go to local-area food banks for families in need to be able to provide food for the four-legged members of their families.

Shoppers can purchase a $5 bag of pet food with the MY BI-LO BONUSCARD, and the food will be picked up by or delivered to the store’s food bank partner. The bag contains a week’s worth of dry and canned packages of PAWS Premium, BI-LO’s own brand of high-quality, nutritional and affordably priced cat and dog food.

Nationally, approximately seven million pets are surrendered to shelters each year due to the inability of the owners to pay for food. Through "Feed the Love," BI-LO hopes to help reduce that number in its area. Since 2010, the campaign has provided more than 85 tons of pet food for families in need throughout BI-LO’s operating market.

"It is important to us that we provide opportunities such as this for our customers to assist members of their community who face the difficult decision of feeding themselves or their pets," said Mike Russell, category manager for BI-LO. "BI-LO cares about the wellbeing of our community, and ‘Feed the Love’ is about giving back to pets that also go hungry."

For every bag purchased, BI-LO customers will receive an additional 5 cents per gallon in fuelperks! Rewards, BI-LO’s program that saves customers money on gas just for buying groceries.