Duke Energy Grants Improve Home Safety for Seniors in South Carolina
South Carolina's elderly residents should never have to choose between essential life needs and the ability to live safely in their own homes.
"Being able to enter and leave our homes safely is a fundamental need for everyone," said Mark Champagne, executive director of Sumter United Ministries. "We've heard stories of seniors in our community being physically carried in and out of their homes because they lacked an accessible wheelchair ramp."
To support organizations like Sumter United Ministries, the Duke Energy Foundation is providing $100,000 in grants to 13 organizations across the state that already have home ramp programs for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. Each organization is eligible to receive up to $15,000, depending on the size of the population they serve.
"This funding will greatly improve the lives of several homeowners in our area," Champagne said.
"Safety is at the core of everything we do at Duke Energy," said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy's South Carolina state president. "A simple improvement, such as building a ramp, can significantly enhance the quality of life for our seniors. These grants will bring real freedom and security to those who receive this support."
The grants have been awarded to the following organizations:
"Being able to enter and leave our homes safely is a fundamental need for everyone," said Mark Champagne, executive director of Sumter United Ministries. "We've heard stories of seniors in our community being physically carried in and out of their homes because they lacked an accessible wheelchair ramp."
To support organizations like Sumter United Ministries, the Duke Energy Foundation is providing $100,000 in grants to 13 organizations across the state that already have home ramp programs for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. Each organization is eligible to receive up to $15,000, depending on the size of the population they serve.
"This funding will greatly improve the lives of several homeowners in our area," Champagne said.
"Safety is at the core of everything we do at Duke Energy," said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy's South Carolina state president. "A simple improvement, such as building a ramp, can significantly enhance the quality of life for our seniors. These grants will bring real freedom and security to those who receive this support."
The grants have been awarded to the following organizations:
- AIM (Anderson County) – $15,000
- Caring and Sharing (Williamsburg County) – $2,500
- Greenwood Community Home Repairs – $5,000
- Habitat for Humanity (Greenville County) – $15,000
- Habitat for Humanity (Spartanburg County) – $15,000
- Habitat for Humanity (York County) – $5,000
- Helping Florence Flourish – $5,000
- Home Works of America (Marlboro County) – $2,500
- KARE of Kershaw – $5,000
- Lighthouse Ministries (Florence County) – $10,000
- Rebuild Upstate (Oconee and Pickens counties) – $10,000
- Sumter United Ministries – $7,500
- United Way (Clarendon County) – $2,500
This year’s grants build on the Duke Energy Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting South Carolina organizations that carry out essential home repairs for seniors. In 2023, the Senior Home Repair Program provided $225,000 in grants to 15 nonprofits, with awards of up to $20,000 through a proposal request process.
“The response to last year’s grants was overwhelming and highlighted the depth of the need,” said Amanda Dow, director of the Duke Energy Foundation in South Carolina. “After closely reviewing the programs doing this important work, we narrowed this year’s focus to home ramp programs to better target the funds and help more individuals.”
In addition to funding, Duke Energy employees will be volunteering with several of the recipient organizations to help build ramps in communities within its service area, which includes over 830,000 retail electric customers across the Pee Dee and Upstate regions.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant, which will enable Rebuild Upstate to install ramps for multiple seniors, ensuring their safe access to their homes and helping them age in place,” said Jake Beaty, CEO of Rebuild Upstate. “We’re honored to partner with Duke Energy in serving our neighbors in need.”
For more information on eligibility for support, individuals are encouraged to reach out to the grant recipient organizations.
“The response to last year’s grants was overwhelming and highlighted the depth of the need,” said Amanda Dow, director of the Duke Energy Foundation in South Carolina. “After closely reviewing the programs doing this important work, we narrowed this year’s focus to home ramp programs to better target the funds and help more individuals.”
In addition to funding, Duke Energy employees will be volunteering with several of the recipient organizations to help build ramps in communities within its service area, which includes over 830,000 retail electric customers across the Pee Dee and Upstate regions.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant, which will enable Rebuild Upstate to install ramps for multiple seniors, ensuring their safe access to their homes and helping them age in place,” said Jake Beaty, CEO of Rebuild Upstate. “We’re honored to partner with Duke Energy in serving our neighbors in need.”
For more information on eligibility for support, individuals are encouraged to reach out to the grant recipient organizations.
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