Welcome to the Burton Center Foundation

What does the Burton Center Foundation do?

¨       The Burton Center Foundation was organized in May of 1986 for the purpose of providing financial support to the programs offered at Burton Center.  When a request for assistance from the Foundation is received, all other avenues of funding have been exhausted.

¨       The mission of the Foundation is to serve as an advocate for those with disabilities and special needs and their families in our 6 county community (Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Lexington, McCormick and Saluda counties), and to afford an opportunity for caring persons to participate in providing resources to support the programs of Burton Center.

¨       The Foundation Board is made up of  local citizens who serve terms of three years.  The Board meets three times a year to conduct the affairs of the Foundation.

¨       Through the support of the community and staff, the Foundation has been able to:

a)       Provide for wheelchair repairs for individuals where funding was not available.

b)       Provide heat for low-income families.

c)       Provide diapers, electronic puzzles, books and other training devices to assist children’s development,  coordination and speech in low-income families.

d)       Purchase a grill to be used at the Ware Shoals Day Program picnic shelter

e)       Assist families and individuals with rent, medical bills and groceries.

f)        Assist families with travel expenses for medical assistance.

g)       Repair a staircase and railing for a medically fragile individual.

h)       Provide new eyeglasses and a hearing aid for individuals.

i)         Purchase clothing, food, personal care items, medical supplies, therapies, ramps, and van lifts for needy families where funding was not available.

j)         Provide funding for residential individuals to attend summer camp.

k)       Provide air conditioning for low-income family.

l)         Assist with funding for client trips, events and activities such as the Burton Center Ball, bowling, movies, holiday celebrations, etc.

m)      Provide financial assistance to help parents attend conferences to help them better meet the needs of their disabled child.

n)       Provide additional funding to purchase clothing, food, toys, coats and blankets for needy families during Christmas.

o)       Purchase a Christmas gift for 350 Day Program individuals.

p)       Publish the Burton Center Newsletter, brochures, and video for community education.

q)       Provide funding for a scholarship for a Special Education student at Lander University.

r)        Assist with funeral expenses of an individual with no family.

s)       Purchase furniture for a needy individual.

t)        Install new flooring in a needy family’s home to accommodate the needs of a child with disabilities.

u)       For the past two years the Foundation has provided eight scholarships (in the amount of $40,000)

       for eight people on the day program waiting list to attend the day program.

♦   The Foundation receives its funds from:  Annual "Burton Center Golf/Tennis Classic", "Annual Campaign" and  “Special Needs at Christmas"

            ●   "Burton Center Golf/Tennis Classic"  is held the first Thursday in May.

●  The "Annual Campaign" runs from July 1 to June 30 each year.   The "Annual Campaign" is promoted through local newspapers, the BURTON CENTER NEWSLETTER and a letter is mailed to approximately 3,000 people on mailing list asking them to help.

●   The "Special Needs at Christmas" is a campaign to provide gifts to consumers who have little or no financial resources or family members to give them gifts.  The Foundation helps approximately 200  individuals and/or their families each Christmas.

How you can help:

Click the DONATIONS toolbar to the left for donation instructions.