OCTOBER 2022 | COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE

WHAT IS CALHOUN CONNECTS?

Calhoun Connects is an information resource by the Library. We are committed to building AWARENESS, fostering COLLABORATION, & ensuring ACCESS for all to information and opportunities.

CALHOUN CONNECTS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PAST YEAR (2021-2022)

• Raised $17,253 funds for 6 non-profits and the Calhoun County Animal Shelter.

Are you affiliated with a Calhoun County-based non-profit?
Learn more about how participating in Calhoun Gives can 
double donations made to your organization by reading below.

• Assisted Emergency Management with enrollment in Calhoun CodeRED, an emergency alert system. The Calhoun CodeRED system provides alerts by phone, text, and email to keep you and your family safe. Examples of alert types include seek shelter immediately, active crime warnings, missing persons, and boil water advisories 

Calhoun CodeRED subscribers receive only emergency alerts by default. However, residents can request community messages as well for upcoming events and government announcements. 

Example Community Alert Message:

Visit www.calhouncodered.com to sign up/change your message options, or come to the Library to get help from staff.

• Raised $330,000 in grants to better connect community members with services and opportunities in Calhoun County.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Special thanks go to Tri-County Electric Cooperative for sponsoring Calhoun Connects and hosting our first community leadership networking event.

The TCE team has worked hard to bring fiber internet to Calhoun County residents in record time. For more information, check out TriCoLink. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

As of October 19

Check the Calhoun Connects Community Calendar for updates and more info, or to submit your community event.

Zumba at St Paul UMC
Tuesdays & Thursdays in October and November from 6-7 PM
St Paul’s United Methodist Church, St Matthews

Classes are $6 per class. Ages 16 and above. All fitness levels welcome! Pay at door by class. Registration form & waiver to be completed on site at first class.

Ground Zero Flag Team
Saturday, October 22, 2022 5 PM
St Matthews Fire Department
1313 Bridge Street, St Matthews

The Ground Zero Flag Team will be handed off to the St Matthews Fire Department - including a flag raising ceremony and displaying of the cross and logbook for everyone to sign.

2nd Annual Trunk or Treat (FOSM)

Saturday, October 22, 2022 4 PM-7 PM

John Ford Community Center

304 Agnes Street, St Matthews

Join us for lots of tricks and treats at the 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat family event! Hosted by the Friends of St Matthews (FOSM) and Calhoun County Recreation. Open to the public. Wear a costume!

SCWorks Center on Wheels
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 10 AM-2 PM
St Matthews Town Hall
606 FR Huff Drive, St Matthews

Job Search Assistance and More.

DAR SC American Revolution Meeting

Thursday, October 27, 2022 6:30 PM-7:30 PM

Sandy Run Community Center

1792 Old State Rd, Gaston

Information session by Bill Davies to learn more about how Calhoun County residents can tell the Calhoun County American Revolution story. Dinner will be served. For dinner, must RSVP to Diane 803-391-1465.

Heyward Park Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening

Friday, October 28, 2022 10 AM -11 AM (new date following postponement)
Heyward Park

312 Savany Hunt Creek Road, Gaston

Join us for the grand opening of Heyward Park recreation area. All welcome!

Fall Festival/Expo
Saturday, October 29, 2022 10 AM-2 PM
Sandy Run Community Center

1605 Old State Road, Gaston

Tables for vendors to rent will be $20. $5 hot basket including hotdog, chips and drink. Bake Sale.

Pink Tees & Tiaras
Saturday, October 29, 2022 11 AM-1 PM
Fort Motte Community Center

706 New Bethany Road, Fort Motte

Breast Cancer Awareness Brunch. Tickets $30. Proceeds go to local cancer research and treatment programs. Register on Eventbrite.

Movie Night - Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021, PG-13)
Saturday, October 29, 2022 6 PM - 8 PM
John Ford Community Center

304 Agnes Street, St Matthews

Halloween Movie Night with free hotdogs, popcorn, & drinks.
See Common Sense Media parents' guide for more info about this film.

Boo Bash at the Library

Monday, October 31, 2022 4 PM-7 PM

Calhoun County Library

900 F R Huff Drive, St Matthews

Games, prizes, crafts, books, and yes, candy!

Trick or Treat at Cameron Baptist Church
Monday, October 31, 2022 6 PM-8 PM
Cameron Baptist Church
5335 Cameron Road, Cameron

FREE Candy and hotdogs!

Sandy Run Ruritans Meeting
Tuesday, November 1, 2022 7 PM

Sandy Run Community Center

1605 Old State Road, Gaston

Monthly meeting of Sandy Run Ruritan Club. We promote fellowship, goodwill and community through service, and seek like-minded members. Visitors are welcome!

Author Visit - William Glass
Thursday, November 10, 2022 5:30 PM-6:30 PM
Calhoun County Library
900 F R Huff Drive, St Matthews

Author Visit with William Glass – He will be discussing his book As Good as Can Be.

Veterans Day Parade
Friday, November 11, 2022 10 AM

Informational flyer and location will be available soon.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

2022-10-18 – FREE Virtual Strengthening Families Program

Parents and children ages 6-11 years old are invited to participate in a virtual series of interactive, fun, family nights. Program will be held weekly on Mondays & Wednesday from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm virtually via Zoom. Registration is open now for the fall cohort. Late Registration is open until November 7, 2022. Space is limited to twelve families.

2022-10-15 – Winter Coat Drive

Mayor and Town Council announce their Winter Coat Drive and are accepting new and gently used children’s coats until November 18, 2022. Please drop them off at Town Hall. Coats will be disbursed to those in need. 

2022-10-10 – Early Voting

The General Election for federal, state, county, and other local offices will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. The early voting period for this election begins on Monday, October 24 and ends on Saturday, November 5. The following early voting centers will be open during the early voting period from 8:30 AM until 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday (closed Sunday). Calhoun County Council Chambers (Annex Building), 102 Courthouse Drive – Suite 110, St Matthews, SC 29135. For more information regarding this election, your registration status, and other matters please contact the Calhoun County Office of Voter Registration & Elections.

2022-10-9 – Registration Opens for Tumbling & Dance

Register now for Tumbling & Dance! Registration continues until November 3rd!!! $20 Registration Fee | $35 Dance Monthly Fee | $40 Tumbling Monthly Fee. Register online at https://calhouncounty.recdesk.com/Community/Home or stop by John Ford Community Center, 304 Agnes Street, St Matthews, SC 29135 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm). For more info call 803-655-7514.

2022-10-9 - Employment Opportunity

The Library seeks a full-time AmeriCorps Program Director (grant funded). For more info and an application, visit www.calhouncounty.sc.gov/employment-opportunities. Closes Oct 28.

2022-09-23 — Employment Opportunity – Town of Cameron

The Town of Cameron is accepting applications for a Public Works -General Laborer. This is a full time position. An application and job description may be picked up at Town Hall during regular business hours or by requesting one online at: townofcameron@windstream.net. The position is open until filled.

2022-09-18 — Employment Opportunity – Digital Marketing Intern 

The Library is piloting a student marketing internship program. If you are in an university Communications or Marketing program and want experience working with a professional digital strategy firm, contact Kristen at ksimensen@calhouncountylibrary.org for a position description and an application. Up to 50% of work can be done remotely once trained. Open until filled.

PET OF THE MONTH

Each month, we will feature a dog that is currently available for adoption at the Calhoun County Animal Shelter. 

Lady, 3 months old

Look at this sweet little lady! Lucy is 15 weeks old and is looking for her furever home! She is the sweetest little thing! She loves her bed and likes to explore the office. She wandered up to a nice lady's house who contacted the shelter to find her owner. Sadly, no one came forward to claim her, and she needs a loving place and family.

Take her home! For more info visit: 
https://www.adoptapet.com/shelter/191725/available-pets/dogs

CALHOUN GIVES

Last year, Calhoun Connects hosted its first Calhoun Gives event!

Calhoun Gives was created as a way to support Calhoun-County based non-profits participating in Midlands Gives, an Annual Day of Giving of the Central Carolina Community Foundation (CCCF). Challenge grants provided by CCCF, Rep. Russell Ott, Gibbes Ford, and other local donors meant that donations given by supporters on the Midlands Gives site were matched, turning a $25 dollar donation into $50. A reception was hosted at the Calhoun Hills Golf Complex, where guests enjoyed food from Tracy’s Place and were able to make donations while having a fun evening!

Calhoun organizations that registered for Midlands Gives generated over $17,000 in one day included Calhoun County First Steps; Calhoun County Resources, Inc; Friends of the Calhoun County Library; Inspire Real Change; Sandy Run Museum and Cultural Center; and Word Ministries of Russia. In addition, the Calhoun County Animal Shelter, which has been operating at capacity for several years, raised funds for a desperately needed expansion.

The 2023 Calhoun Gives event will occur on May 2, 2023. If you are a business or individual that likes to support local causes, this is a great way to maximize the benefit of your donations! If you would like to attend, watch for updates on the Calhoun Connects Community Announcements page and in this newsletter.

“This was the first time Calhoun County Resources, Inc. (CCRI) participated in Midlands Gives. The main factor in determining if we would participate was the amount of time that would be required. Surprisingly, the time commitment was minimal compared to the benefits. And in the end, our goals of increasing donations while raising awareness of CCRI were definitely met. The monetary prizes made it competitive, which was also fun. The staff of CCCF was easy to work with and was more than happy to answer our many questions. We enjoyed the excitement building up to the big day, including the Calhoun Gives event, and look forward to 2023.”

- Marilyn S. Amaker, Secretary of Calhoun County Resources, Inc. and Calhoun Gives participating organization

“The Friends of the Calhoun County Library had a great experience at the 2022 Calhoun Gives Day event. We look forward to many more successful fundraisers in the future.” 

-Robin Fogle Kurz, Ph.D., President of the Friends of the Calhoun County Library and Calhoun Gives participating organization

Registration for 2023 Midlands Gives opens in December!

Non-profits that would like to participate can email calhounconnects@calhouncountylibrary.org for more info and can get help registering at the library.

If you work with a charitable organization committed to creating a better Calhoun County, please consider participating in Calhoun Gives!