Finlay Scholars “Back To School” Event Set

“PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE …”

S.C. Rep. Kirkman Finlay (R-Columbia) and Richland County councilman Damon Jeter are joining forces with several corporate sponsors to provide back-to-school supplies for needy families.

Finlay and Jeter –  along with Staples, AmerisBank and the South Carolina Forestry Foundation – will host a “Back to School Supply Drive” on Sunday, August 3 from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. EDT.

The event will be held in the parking lot of the Staples office supply store – located at 4464 Devine Street.  Finlay’s restaurant – Pawleys Front Porch – will be sending its mobile food truck to provide free hot dog dinners.  Activities for children (including a bounce house) will also be provided.

Finlay started the Finlay Scholars organization in memory of his late father, former Columbia, S.C. mayor Kirkman Finlay, Jr.

We love seeing this sort of thing …

Whenever individuals, businesses, non-profits and other groups get together, real needs are met.  There’s no layers of bureaucracy, fees or regulations involved in this process – just “people helping people,” as Vince Vaughn would say.

According to the Atlas of Giving, philanthropy in the United States soared by more than 13 percent in 2013 to a record $416.5 billion.  That’s amazing when you consider the extent to which Americans have been struggling during the recession and so-called “recovery.”

What’s also amazing?  When the private sector gives, roughly two-thirds of the money winds up going where it’s supposed to go – direct aid to recipients.  When government gets in the way as much as three-quarters of the money is sucked up by overhead costs.

Anyway … props to Finlay.  We continue to be impressed by his work as a lawmaker … and as a citizen.