Donors
Diamond Sponsor
The State is South Carolina's most honored newspaper, with special recognition for photography and coverage of sports, politics and public policy. The State Media Company was founded on February 18, 1891, by the Gonzales brothers (N.G., Ambrose and William). The name and the state tree, the Palmetto, which accompanies the name, symbolized the brothers' commitment to the state of South Carolina. The State was the only South Carolina newspaper awarded the Triple Crown by the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) for Sunday and special sections and digital sports coverage. Members of The State's newsroom received more than two dozen first-place awards in the annual newspaper contest of the South Carolina Press Association, with an emphasis on photography, page design and coverage of elections, politics, sports, food, entertainment, the military and education. The State's daily politics report – "The Buzz" (thestate.com/the-buzz) – was recognized for digital innovation by The McClatchy Company, parent company of The State and 29 other daily newspapers.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com
Website: http://www.thestate.com/
With over a quarter of a billion monthly listeners in the U.S. and over 80 million social followers, iHeartMedia has the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America. It serves over 150 markets through 858 owned radio stations, and the company’s radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM, HD digital radio, satellite radio, on the Internet at iHeartRadio.com and on the company’s radio station websites, on the iHeartRadio mobile app, in enhanced auto dashes, on tablets and smartphones, and on gaming consoles. iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s digital radio platform, is the No. 1 all-in-one digital audio service with over 800 million downloads. iHeartMedia is a division of iHeartMedia, Inc. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.
Website: http://www.iheart.com/
Platinum Sponsor
Nestled on the eastern border of the City of Columbia, Forest Acres is known as "a city within a city." For its residents, Forest Acres is a small town with big goals – and an even bigger heart. Its eclectic mix of people – from young professionals and growing families to empty nesters and retirees – has crafted a community of character and soul that’s as irresistible as it is rare. Forest Acres incorporated as a city in 1935 during FDR's Presidency. At the time, the Public Works Administration (WPA) offered grants to incorporated cities to pay for municipal water lines. Rather than become part of the City of Columbia, a group of passionate citizens pushed to become an independent community: one with its own water supply, one that was inspired by the belief that neighbors care and do for neighbors. Forest Acres' caring, independent spirit thrives today and is instrumental in creating a city where top-rated public schools, growing local business community, great public services, and beautiful green spaces are just part of the reason why Forest Acres is "a city apart."
Website: https://www.forestacres.net
For nearly a century before the creation of Columbia by the General Assembly in 1786, the site of Columbia was important to the overall development of the state.The Congarees, a frontier fort on the west bank of the Congaree River, was the head of navigation in the Santee River system. A ferry was established by the colonial government in 1754 to connect the fort with the growing settlements on the higher ground on the east bank. State Senator John Lewis Gervais of Ninety Six introduced a bill that was approved by the legislature on March 22, 1786 to create a new state capital. Columbia received its first charter as a town in 1805. An intendent and six wardens would govern the town. John Taylor was the first elected intendent. He later served in both houses of the General Assembly, both houses of Congress and eventually as governor of the state. By 1816, there were 250 homes in the town and a population over 1,000.
In 1934, the federal courthouse at Main and Laurel was purchased by the city, and in 1937, it officially became Columbia City Hall. Built of granite from nearby Winnsboro, Columbia City Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by Alfred Bult Mullett, President Ulysses S. Grant's federal architect, the building was completed in 1875. Mullet, best known for his design of the Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., had originally designed the building with a clock tower. Large cost overruns probably caused it to be left out. Copies of Mullet's original drawings can be seen on the walls of City Hall alongside historic photos of Columbia's beginnings.
Website: https://www.columbiasc.net
Originally begun in 1960 as Fort Jackson Federal Credit Union, AllSouth Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, owned and operated by its 110,000 members. The members elect a volunteer Board of Directors who govern the credit union and serve without pay. Every member has one vote, regardless of how much he or she has in shares. All Members profit -- individually and collectively. With more than $720 million in assets, AllSouth Federal Credit Union is committed to a philosophy of 'people helping people' by providing quality service, as a primary financial institution that assists its members in meeting their financial goals. AllSouth Federal Credit Union was organized under strict regulatory laws that are monitored and enforced by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the U.S. Government.
Website: www.allsouth.org
US Foods® is one of America’s great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 250,000 restaurants and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With nearly 25,000 employees and more than 60 locations, we provide our customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology and business solutions. The company also operates 14 processing facilities. These include 12 Stock Yards® facilities that provide high-quality center of plate, custom cut and packaged to customer specifications; Freshway Foods, a fruit and vegetable processor, re-packer and distributor; and Save On Seafood, a seafood processor and distributor.
Website: https://www.usfoods.com/
Since 1929, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) companies have provided healthcare coverage to members, allowing them to live free of worry, free of fear. In every ZIP code, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a personalized approach to healthcare based on the needs of the communities where their members live and work. They work closely with hospitals and doctors in the communities they serve to provide quality, affordable healthcare. We understand and answer to the needs of local communities, while providing nationwide healthcare coverage that opens doors for more than 106 million members in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Nationwide, more than 96 percent of hospitals and 95 percent of doctors and specialists contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield companies — more than any other insurer.
Website: https://www.bcbs.com
Sapphire Sponsor
Wells Fargo & Company is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.8 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through 8,700 locations, approximately 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. In 2014, Wells Fargo donated $281.2 million in grants to 17,100 nonprofits, and team members volunteered 1.74 million hours around the country. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.
Website: https://www.wellsfargo.com
Gold Sponsor
The USAA family of companies provides insurance, banking, investments, retirement products and advice to 11.2 million current and former members of the U.S. military and their families. Known for its legendary commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee well-being and financial strength. USAA membership is open to all who are serving our nation in the U.S. military or have received a discharge type of Honorable – and their eligible family members. Founded in 1922, USAA is headquartered in San Antonio. For more information about USAA, follow them on Facebook or Twitter (@USAA), or visit usaa.com.
Website: https://www.usaa.com/
Silver Sponsor
The Blowfish Baseball franchise plays at the new Lexington County Baseball Stadium off of Highway 1, at the site of the old Lexington High School football field on Ball Park Road across the street from the Lexington Dixie Youth Sports Complex,. The new stadium's capacity for baseball is 3,000 and provides fans with a pleasant and intimate ballpark experience. It includes an expanded concourse, bowl seating for a more intimate field view, Wrigley Field style box seats, a right field berm, leftfield lawn seating and an enclosed air conditioned hospitality club.
Website: http://www.goblowfishbaseball.com
Since 2004, Recon Sportswear has been the "t-shirt guys" to the soldiers here at Fort Jackson. Their guiding principle has always been to employ the "core values" at every opportunity with soldiers and civilians alike.
They work with each U.S. Army Basic Combat Training unit at Fort Jackson, helping them to design artwork for their "Platoon Shirts". This artwork helps commemorate the beginning of their Army career and ensures that they will never forget their BCT battle buddies.
Website: platoonshirts.com/