A New Tree Grows in Greenville

While we've been in our new "organizational home" since late May (with construction still going on), we had a formal dedication of the facility on October 28th in concert with our fall Board of Directors meeting.  Dozens of community leaders, partners, donors, and vendors, joined the Endowment's Board and staff for a reception and tours of the eclectic space. 

And, in keeping with the Endowment's "tree-centric" view of the world, instead of a ribbon cutting, we had a tree planting to commemorate the occasion.  Contrary to the song, "we took down a parking lot and put up a tree..."

As reported in our June 3, 2011 Blog, driven by need to find additional space for an expanded staff and hoping to take advantage of the deeply depressed commercial real estate market, the Endowment opted to buy a long-abandoned building and rehab (recycle/repurpose) it for our offices.  We met all of our goals plus some with the decision...

...We now have the space we need to conduct business;
...we were able to bring the project in with only a slight excess over budget but still at a cost that compares very favorably with rent; and,
...the facility which has hard floors and beautiful wood walls has had a noticeable positive impact on our staff members who suffer with allergies.

Here are just a few of the images from that wonderful evening.

Endowment Chairman Mack Hogans thanks Board and Community Leaders for Their Support while  President Owen looks on.  (That's not our building in the background)

Community Leaders Mark Taylor, President of SynTerra Corp (left) and Dr. Walt McPhail (right) Sign In for the Event

Endowment Staffer Florence Colby Leads a Tour for Vendor Partner Michele Perron

President Owen Explains Some of the Office Features

Board Members David Dodson (right) and Mil Duncan (center) Visit with Chairman of The Palmetto Bank, Leon Patterson (left)

Kevin and Becky Hatch (left) Read the Endowment's 2010 Annual Report While Touring

Minor Shaw of the Daniel-Mickel Foundation visits with John Warner of the SC Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities

If you get the chance to visit Greenville, it will be our pleasure to show you our home.  Ya'll come!