Recognizing and promoting community and business leadership through Champion Awards is one of the Mary Black Foundation's strategies to improve health and wellness in Spartanburg County. Community Champions receive a $25,000 grant to be used to help an organization selected by the recipient and the Foundation to be more effective in promoting active living and early childhood development. New to 2005, the Business Champions are publicly acknowledged for their work in promoting active living and early childhood development. The awards honor the late Sam O. Black, Jr., a former trustee of the Foundation and tireless champion of community health.

The 2009 Award Recipients were announced at the Foundation's annual celebration event on October 15, 2009.

2009 Community and Business Champions

Active Living Community Champion

Bike Worx

Bike Worx has a charitable and community-minded focus on active living in Spartanburg County.  Bike Worx promotes active living through its involvement in awareness and prevention programs, such as Bike Town, Pedal with Your Politician, mountain biking programs for kids, the Assault on Mt. Mitchell, Hub Cycle, and the Spartanburg Junior Cycling Team.  In addition to providing discounted and/or free bikes and helmets for these community programs, Bike Worx employees volunteer their time and expertise to assist nonprofit organizations working to improve active living in Spartanburg County.
 
One of its most visible efforts to promote active living is the recent decision by Bike Worx to move its business to a new location on Union Street, abutting the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail.  Their new rear entrance ramp to the store connects cylists on the trail to the business. Amazingly, more than 50% of customers on Saturdays enter the store from the MBF Rail Trail.  Bike Worx is a leader in encouraging active living in our community.

Early Childhood Development Community Champion

Woodruff Primary School

Woodruff Primary School is the only school in Spartanburg County that offers full-day kindergarten to all of its four year olds.

Woodruff Primary and District Four's commitment to providing full-day, 4 year old kindergarten gives over 150 children in Southern Spartanburg County the advantage of access to high quality care and education.  Woodruff Primary uses a curriculum with its four and five year old kindergarten classes that is nationally recognized as a "best practice."  The curriculum, High/Scope, allows the children to learn in large and small group lessons and through "child initiated" work.  Teachers work alongside children to observe and support the children's efforts. 
 
Woodruff Primary School engages families in the education of young children through home visits and a Family Literacy Program.  Teachers conduct home visits throughout the school year.  The Family Literacy Program is geared toward parents with young children, who are interested in finishing their education through GED classes or other adult education programs.
 
Finally, Woodruff Primary is pursuing accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Active Living Business Champion

Jesse Boyd Elementary

Jesse Boyd Elementary School promotes the health and wellness of its teachers and employees.  The school recently transformed an outdated and underutilized Teacher's Lounge into an attractive and welcoming Teacher's Fitness Center.  After teachers and parents expressed interest in updating the Lounge, the former principal developed a survey to assess teachers' interest in a Fitness Center.  80% of respondents wanted more opportunities at their worksite to be able to make healthy lifestyle choices. 
 
The principal and a parent volunteer developed an action plan involving a collaboration of teachers, parents, district personnel, and local businesses.  To equip the Fitness Center, Jesse Boyd Elementary School sought donations and received funding through the Parent, Teacher, Student Organization (PTSO).  The new Fitness Center includes cardiovascular and weight machines and healthy drink options.  During the 2008-2009 school year, 60% of all staff used the facility at least once and 25% of staff used it daily. Jesse Boyd is a example of what other schools and businesses can do to support the health of their employees.

Past Award recipients