LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR MAKES HOLIDAYS HAPPY FOR WORTHY FAMILIES

JAMES BYRD GIVES CASH TO UPSTATE FAMILIES
ALSO APPEARING IN: THE GREENVILLE (SC) NEWS [link]
PUBLISHED FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2004

(December 22, 2004 / Greenville, SC In the lobby of Greenville’s Hyatt Regency, Christmas came early for nine Upstate families today as local businessman James Byrd presented larger-than-life checks to families in need.

Recipients included Crystal Thompson, Jamie Raymond, Maureen Rush, Diana Butts, Sonya Sullivan, Yolanda Young, Olistia Marshall, Justina Hill and Jaques Mansell.

Accompanied by his wife Dionne and their sons Alexander and Deandre, Byrd told the assembled crowd, “I’m glad to help make Christmas possible for these families. While some people think that charity should begin only when you reach a certain income level, my parents taught me that giving from the heart begins when people who can’t afford to give do it anyway. That’s the way it worked in our house, and now I’m fortunate enough to be able to give more.”

One of today’s recipient families included Crystal Thompson. She and her husband have two boys – one who recently required surgery and the other who has a chronic health condition. Crystal was moved to tears when thanking the Byrds for their $1,000 gift.

Diana Butts also received $1,000. To find a better place to rear her four children, she recently moved to Travelers Rest from an urban area in Virginia. She was fortunate enough to find an apartment that would work with her on rent, but she had already told her children that Christmas might have to wait until her tax return was filed. That is no longer the case.

“Growing up, so many of us were blessed with generous families, and it’s important for us to make sure that others feel blessed this holiday season. It’s a privilege to make that possible for these families,” offered Byrd.

Today’s presentation is a continuation of Byrd’s year-round philanthropic spirit that extends beyond the holiday season.

In addition to today’s presentations, Byrd also funds 20 annual college minority scholarships and provides housing assistance to needy families in the Greenville community. Next year, Byrd said he plans to begin an annual tradition of giving a home to a single working mother in the area.

A 34 year old Greenville native, graduate of Southside High Schools, SC State University and business owner, Byrd added that an underprivileged background does not determine a person’s potential and that “no one should be penalized for their circumstances.”

Aside from education and housing charities, Byrd is also a member of numerous charitable boards and associations including the United Way of Greenville County and the Phyllis Wheatley Association. He also supports the YMCA, United Ministries, and funds meals for more than 100 homeless people annually.

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