Upstate Forever News
Trips & Events

     The Campaign for Upstate Lands (see Brad Wyche’s article on p. 2) kicked off March 30 with a reception at Village Studios. An enthusiastic crowd enjoyed food and wine generously provided by Whole Foods while learning about Upstate Forever’s first-ever capital campaign.

Upstate Forever Board Chair Tom Kester, Land Trust Director Dana Leavitt and Executive Director Brad Wyche show the progress of the capital campaign.

Nationally-renowned artists Anne and Bill Jameson and Upstate Forever member and art gallery owner Irene Morrah generously donated ten percent of the proceeds from their show in February. Left to right: Brad Wyche, Irene, Anne, and Bill.

A Whole Lot of Fun!

Jason Van Driesche and Peg O’Donoghue of the Upstate Forever staff greet some of the visitors to the new Whole Foods store.

On April 24, Whole Foods hosted a benefit night at its new Greenville location. More than 1200 eager participants crowded in to raise funds for Upstate Forever and get a sneak peak at the healthy foods superstore two days before it opened for business. The event generated a whopping $18,517 for our organization; we also signed up 19 new members! Furthering the excitement was a raffle with prizes including a weekend at a bed and breakfast and a new kayak.  Thank you, Whole Foods!

Executive Director Brad Wyche accepts the check from Whole Foods.

An Upstate Forever Baby!

On January 20, Emily Crow Neely (Program Manager, Spartanburg Office) and her husband, Kam, welcomed their new son, Kurt Foster Neely. Congratulations!