Umphlett family donates $17,000 to Berkeley County’s Callen-Lacey Center for Children

Image by Carolina Youth Development Center

Callen-Lacey Center for Children, an emergency shelter program of Carolina Youth Development Center, has received a $17,000 donation from the family of late South Carolina Representative C. David Umphlett, Jr.

197 Callen-Lacey and CYDC staff and supporters accept $17,000 gift from the Umphlett Family.Located in Moncks Corner, Callen-Lacey Center for Children is the only emergency shelter for children in Berkeley County. Rep. Umphlett, along with his family, was a longtime supporter of the Center. His daughter, Karen Umphlett, is a member of Callen-Lacey’s Advisory Council, a committee of business and community supporters who help with fundraising and awareness on behalf of the Center. Rep. Umphlett died in May 2011.

The Umphlett family presented the $17,235 check to representatives of Callen-Lacey and CYDC at a recent meeting of Callen-Lacey’s Advisory Council.

CYDC Chief Executive Officer Barbara Kelley Duncan thanked the Umphlett family for their generous donation.

“Callen-Lacey continues to provide high quality services for children, and Rep. Umphlett was such an integral part of the Callen-Lacey family. His love for our children was always evident, and his generosity of spirit was admired and respected by all. I am deeply grateful that this contribution allows us to continue his legacy of service.”

Opened at its Moncks Corner location in 1998, Callen-Lacey Center for Children was developed in response to a critical need identified by a 1992 Trident United Way Needs Assessment which defined “children in crisis” as a top priority. Members of the community joined together to form the Give Me Shelter Committee which worked diligently to address this important issue. Because of its experience and success operating the Charleston Emergency Shelter, Berkeley County Department of Social Services (DSS) and Trident United Way asked CYDC to establish the shelter and assume responsibility for Callen-Lacey’s day-to-day operations.

Founded as the Charleston Orphan House in 1790, CYDC manages nine programs dedicated to housing and supporting the victims of child abuse and improving life opportunities for at-risk youth in the tri-county area of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. CYDC serves over 600 children annually. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities at CYDC, visit http://www.cydc.org, or call (843) 266-5200.



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