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In partnership with the Uptown Sertoma Club, Kathryn Macdonald is working to make a difference in the Spartanburg community.
Known by their motto of “Service to Mankind,” Sertoma clubs have been making an impact all across the nation since 1912. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life of people at risk for or impacted by hearing health issues.
In 1988, Spartanburg’s local chapter, the Uptown Sertoma Club, was first chartered with 39 members. Today, the club has over 70 members, and is one of the largest chapters in America.
One of those members is Kathryn Macdonald, who has been a part of Sertoma for the past four years. The organization is especially close to her heart because she has a granddaughter who is deaf.
Macdonald used to own a storefront in downtown Spartanburg and first learned of the Uptown Sertoma Club through a customer, who invited her to come to a meeting. She was hooked from the very first day. “I wanted to be a part of something bigger than me,” she says. “I was doing service, but I wanted to be a part of a group that does service.”
“We’re a really active chapter,” she says. “It’s a great club.” The group meets once a month for a meal and an educational conversation. They also sponsor different nonprofits throughout the year — in January, February, and March, the club brought in donations and goods for Backpack Buddies. Macdonald shares that different groups and committees take turns planning projects, so things are always moving and changing in exciting new ways.
This spring, the Uptown Sertoma Club is partnering with Spartanburg’s SC School for the Deaf and Blind to bring a new community event to life: Resounding Grace, a sunset garden party.
“The goal of the event is to help the school raise money for a robotic arm in their upper school,” shares Macdonald, “so that the kids can learn how to do robotics and get job training right there in the school.” All proceeds from the event will go toward the cause.
The event, which will be held on May 7th here in Spartanburg, is expected to be a beautiful evening. Guests will enjoy live music, drinks, and generous hors d’oeuvres whil soaking up the golden hour light surrounded by a stunning springtime garden.
Additionally, there will be several highly-anticipated raffles. Guests will be entered to win a variety of prizes, including a wheelbarrow filled with wine and two paintings — the first by local artist Isabel Forbes, and the second painted live at the event by local artist Diane McAndrews.
The club hopes to raise $10,000 for the School for the Deaf and Blind. “The school has impacted so many families in this part of the state,” shares Macdonald. “I know people who have moved to Spartanburg for their children to be able to attend, or families whose children take a bus three hours each weekend to stay at the school all week throughout the school year.”
The club is excited to have the opportunity to give back to such an incredible school. All are welcome at the event, and the Sertoma Club hopes to make the garden party an annual celebration.
Mark your calendars for May 7th at 5pm! Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.uptownsertomaclub.org/featured-events.
