Once again, the Joe and Kristina Crosby Education Foundation and Staples have made a difference in On Friday, October 26, 2007; the Make A Difference Day in Oconee County “kick off” event took place at the Seneca SC, Staples. All 400 Oconee County elementary school teachers, grades K – 5, were given an “unrestricted” Staples gift card to purchase additional classroom supplies, for the 2007 – 2008 school year. In August 2007, Kristina Crosby, president of the JKCEF raised $40,000.00, at the 2^nd Annual Coach’s Low Brands™ Charity Golf Tournament. All proceeds from the golf tournament were used to purchase $100 gift cards, for each teacher. Susan Hieb, general manager of the Staples Seneca, matched an additional 6%; on each card, giving each teacher a total of $106.00 to spend.              

What made the day even more special for the teachers was the additional community support they are receiving. More food vendors, more door prizes and more entertainment participated in the 2007 event from the previous years’. It was also all hands on deck for the staff’s of Coach’s Low Country Brands™ and Staples, which helped make the day run very smoothly. Several community volunteers also stopped by to donate their time.          

Several local community partners provided: refreshments, gift bags, entertainment and door prizes.

Applebee’s, Bi-Lo, Chik-Fil-A, Coca Cola, Fatz, Ellison’s Cakes, Subway, Arby’s and Ingles all provided refreshments and snacks. DJ - Terry “Flash” Young provided his sound system and kept everyone on beat, all afternoon.

The following businesses, donated door prizes and gift certificates:

Patina, Seneca Chiropractic, W. W. Thraves Jeweler’s, Brock’s Seneca Jewelry, The Healing Tree, Perfect Nails, Saluda River Pet Center, ATAMI Express, Turner Jewelers, Circa 1930, The Red Door, Blue Mt. Media, Oasis Pools, Eleanor’s Flowers and Balloons, Staples, Denae Lee’s Spa Salon, Copper River, Belks, Merle Norman, Elm Glad’s Hallmark, Kid Shots, Custom Corner, Salon Diva, The Body Center, Premier Auto Wash, Oconee Lanes, Farmer’s Home Furniture, Ridge Photography, Yoder’s, Personally Yours, and Keowee Family Dentistry, among other’s. (Door prizes were still being donated throughout the day.)