A Fb message from a neighborhood supporter who labored at Verizon Wi-fi got here proper on time for Jamar “Hoot” Crawford and his nonprofit, Subsequent Stage Existence. The message led to TCC Offers — a company giving initiative that operates by way of a proportion of income from the nationwide Verizon retailer, TCC, and extra fundraising initiatives — awarding Subsequent Stage Existence a $2,000 grant.
“We’re grateful for the chance to assist organizations like Subsequent Stage Existence in furthering their mission to assist youth in coaching for athletics and life past commencement,” Julie Moorehead, government director of TCC Offers, mentioned. “Jamar Crawford is a shining instance of a neighborhood chief who’s discovering revolutionary methods to provide again, and thru our Neighborhood Grants donation, we hope he’s in a position to positively affect extra lives in Greenwood.”
Crawford used the grant to pay lease and payments for each Subsequent Stage Existence amenities. Proper earlier than Gov. Henry McMaster shut down all of the gyms throughout the state, he had acquired his second facility, which is situated beside his authentic one. He didn’t know the way the group would fund each of the amenities, particularly because it prices greater than $2,500 a month to run each of them. He mentioned the timing of the grant was excellent.
“It was nothing however God despatched,” he mentioned. “I inform my children on a regular basis, once you do proper, and also you deal with individuals proper, every little thing might be alright so that you don’t have to fret as a result of he’ll all the time be on time.”
Subsequent Stage Existence is doing its greatest to contribute to the neighborhood and stay financially sound in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The group hosted a fundraiser the primary weekend of Might and had plates of meals on the market. The group can also be taking donations to assist throughout this unprecedented time.
Subsequent Stage Existence has not stopped contributing and interacting with the neighborhood it serves; as an alternative, the group has turned issues over to on-line. Crawford mentioned he’s sending out exercises for 70 to 80 children from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday by way of Thursday.
The youngsters should ship him filmed video tutorials of the exercises he initially despatched so he is aware of that they’re really doing them and that they’re utilizing right type when doing them.
As restrictions ordered by McMaster reduce, Crawford and a few the youngsters who work out at Subsequent Stage Existence have been biking three days every week — at a distance. They reached their objective of biking 100 miles this previous Monday. As parks start to slowly reopen, he plans on doing cone drills and different outdoors exercises with children each Sunday.
“It’s been a process, however I’m ensuring I hold these children lively,” he mentioned. “I’m making an attempt to curate various things to verify I’m not dropping them.”
Contact reporter Jonathan Limehouse at 864-943-5644 or comply with him on Twitter @jon_limehouse.
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