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Medicare Agent in Aiken, SC
Trying to pick a health insurance plan can be a chore for anyone. For many people, just mentioning the word "open enrollment" sends shivers down the spine. It seems like there's always a nagging feeling that you're wasting money, choosing a plan with poor in-network care, or both. One would think that health insurance gets easier as you approach retirement age, but the truth is that picking an initial Medicare coverage plan can be daunting.
Unfortunately, the confusing process of signing up for Medicare causes many seniors to forego healthcare coverage altogether. After all, Medicare enrollment can involve several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (or SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS).
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, our passion is guiding seniors through the confusion of Medicare. That way, they can enjoy retirement with peace of mind knowing they are protected and ready for life after 65. We work with dozens of insurance companies, giving our clients the chance to choose a plan that best fits their lifestyle.
We choose to design our senior insurance plans with a focus on optimal benefits structure, lower costs, and personalized service. Some independent insurance agencies see their aging customers as nothing more than a financial transaction waiting to happen. In contrast, we treat each of our clients with respect and dignity as we help them navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. Combined with individualized service, we help older Americans make well-informed decisions about insurance. Whether you're in need of senior Medicare Supplement Plan insurance in Aiken, SC or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.
- Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
- What is Medicare?
- The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including
- Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Aiken, SC
- Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
- Medicare Agent in Aiken, SC
- How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
- Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
- Paying for Your Medicare Agent
- The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
What is Medicare?
If you're approaching the golden years of your life, it's important you understand what Medicare is if you don't already.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program reserved for people older than 65 who have worked full-time for at least ten years. The Medicare program is paid for by a combination of worker payroll tax, premiums paid by Medicare enrollees, and the U.S. government.
There are four parts of Medicare:
This type of Medicare is free for most U.S. citizens. Medicare Part A helps older adults pay for care in a nursing facility, hospital visits, and some forms of in-home senior care.
This tier costs around $100 per month. It covers different outpatient services like lab tests, preventative care, doctor's visits, mental health care, clinical trials, and some forms of surgery.
This type of Medicare is most often called Medicare Advantage. This tier of Medicare allows seniors to choose health plans provided by insurance companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Individuals who use Medicare Advantage commonly use Medicare supplement plan insurance to help pay for health care costs that Original Medicare won't cover, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.
Sometimes called "PDPs," these plans add drug coverage to standard Medicare, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), some Medicare Cost Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA).
The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including:
- What kind of care you need, and how often it is needed.
- The type of Medicare coverage you choose.
- Whether there are alternative insurance policies that will help fill gaps in your coverage
- Whether a doctor agrees to charge you the same amount that Medicare will cover for a medical service
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, we offer a number of health insurance solutions for seniors. Two of our most used services include Medicare Advantage plan insurance and Medicare supplement plan insurance.
Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Aiken, SC
Sometimes called Medigap, the purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to help fill in "gaps" that might not be covered by Original Medicare. You can think of a Medigap policy as a supplement for your Original Medicare benefits.
Private companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services sell this type of insurance right here in South Carolina. While Original Medicare will pay for much of the cost associated with health care services you need, it may not cover all of your expenses. Generally, Medigap policies do not cover costs stemming from eyeglasses, private-duty nurses, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care.
Depending on the Medicare Supplement Plan that you choose, it may cover out-of-the-country medical services when you travel abroad. Assuming you have Original Medicare coverage, your policy will cover its share of Medicare-approved health care costs. Once your Original Medicare coverage reaches its limit, your Medigap policy will pay its share of the fees.
Our Medigap policies are drafted to meet your specific needs, and can help cover remaining health care costs such as:
Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance
Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
To dispel some confusion, you should know that a Medigap policy is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan. The latter helps you receive Medicare benefits, while the former supplements the benefits you obtain through your Original Medicare plan. As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
- To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
- Payments on your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will be made to the private insurance company that you choose, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. These payments are made every month and are paid in addition to the monthly payment you make for Medicare Part B.
- If you are the holder of a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a senior Medicare Supplement Policy. If you plan on switching back to an Original Medicare plan, you may be able to purchase a Medigap policy.
- If you have health problems as you age, your standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to be renewable. So long as you pay your monthly premium, your insurance provider cannot cancel your policy.
- Medigap policies only cover one person. If you have a spouse or family member that would like coverage, they must purchase a separate policy.
- You may only buy a Senior Medicare Supplement Plan from an insurance agent that is licensed to sell them in your state. Senior Medicare Insurance Services has been licensed to sell Medigap policies in South Carolina for years. We have helped countless seniors get the Medicare coverage they need and continue to do so to this day.
- In the past, Medigap policies were able to cover costs related to prescription drugs. As of January 1st, 2006, prescription drug coverage is not available on Medicare Supplement Plans. The best way to get coverage for your prescription drugs is to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often called Part D. Contact our office today to learn more about paying premiums on Medigap and Medicare plans.
For many people, the best time to buy senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Aiken, SC is during the 7 months Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts the day you turn 65 years old, so long as you hold Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B). Generally, during the enrollment period, you get more policy choices and better pricing. Once the enrollment period is over, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services today to determine if you qualify for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
Medicare Agent in Aiken, SC
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a kind of Medicare health coverage designed to provide seniors with all their Part A and Part B Medicare benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will often include coverage of the following:
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Special Needs Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service
- Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations
In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans give seniors coverage for their prescription drug needs. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through Senior Medicare Insurance Services, your Medicare benefits are covered through your plan and will not be paid for by traditional Medicare.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Sometimes called "MA Plans" or "Part C," Medicare Advantage Plans are considered an "all in one" solution to Original Medicare. Senior Medicare Advantage Plans are only offered by private companies that are approved, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan are still on Medicare. However, these individuals enjoy bundled plans that give seniors the benefits of hospital insurance (Medicare Part A), medical insurance (Medicare Part B), and sometimes drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular because they cover all Medicare services and make life a little easier for seniors who have trouble understanding the nuances of Medicare.
When you contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services to choose your Medicare Advantage Plan, ask your agent about Medicare prescription drug coverage. Unless you already have drug coverage (Part D), you should seriously consider Part D coverage to help reduce costs associated with prescription drugs. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan to help fill gaps in coverage that Original Medicare will not cover.
Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
Medicare works by paying a set amount of money to the companies that offer Medicare Agent in Aiken, SC. That money is used to pay for the care services that you need. Because Medicare Advantage Plans are different, you should expect out-of-pocket costs to vary depending on the plan you choose.
Different plans have different rules for how you receive services, such as:
If you must go to facilities, suppliers, or doctors that belong to your Advantage Plan for non-urgent and non-emergency care.-
Whether you must get a referral to see a specialized doctor
Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow strict rules, which are set by Medicare and can change every year.
Paying for Your Medicare Agent
How much you pay for your Medicare Advantage Plan varies and depends on a few different factors. In most cases, if you need a kind of medical service, you will need to rely on the doctors and providers in your plan's service area and network to pay the lowest amounts. In some cases, if you choose to use a service outside of your plan's network of coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.
We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, how they work, what your options are, and how often you will have to pay out-of-pocket, if at all.
The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
Since our company was founded, we have led the insurance industry by providing our clients with the most valuable, helpful insurance solutions available. We are fully committed to our current and prospective clients by:
Choosing to focus on personalized, one-on-one service. When you work with our team, know that we will always design your health insurance plan with your best interests in mind.-
Listening to your specific needs. -
Responding to all inquiries and questions promptly and with a friendly attitude. -
Providing you with the best customer service in the senior health insurance industry, whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with a Medicare plan.
Our mission is to help give seniors the best Medicare assistance available so that they may understand the Medicare process and make an informed health coverage decision. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to assist anyone interested in Medicare. Our personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for our clients and give them greater confidence in choosing their insurance plans.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 82 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
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Latest News in Aiken, SC
SC welcomes gopher frog tadpoles from North Carolina, in first-of-its-kind transfer
Lydia Larsenhttps://www.postandcourier.com/rising-waters/sc-welcomes-gopher-frog-tadpoles-from-north-carolina-in-first-of-its-kind-transfer/article_3026650e-d8ee-4da5-b0c9-54895352d1c1.html
It’s hard being a gopher frog in the Carolinas. What was once a widespread and interconnected species has become isolated and vulnerable, creating what some scientists have called the start of an “extinction vortex.”In an effort to help the population stabilize and remain resilient in the face of a changing climate, researchers have conducted the first cross-state gopher frog tadpole transfer between North and South Carolina. About 1,000 gopher frog tadpoles were moved from their breeding ground in North Carolina, to...
It’s hard being a gopher frog in the Carolinas. What was once a widespread and interconnected species has become isolated and vulnerable, creating what some scientists have called the start of an “extinction vortex.”
In an effort to help the population stabilize and remain resilient in the face of a changing climate, researchers have conducted the first cross-state gopher frog tadpole transfer between North and South Carolina. About 1,000 gopher frog tadpoles were moved from their breeding ground in North Carolina, to the Savannah River Site near Aiken.
Gopher frogs are listed in South Carolina and North Carolina as an endangered species.
The Post and Courier’s Rising Waters Lab focuses on impacts of climate change and related policies and practices. It is supported by donations and grants to the nonprofit Public Service and Investigative Fund, whose contributors are subject to the same coverage we apply to everyone else. For more information and to make a donation, go to postandcourierfund.com. To sign up for our newsletter, click here.
Years of genetic research shows that gopher frog populations in the two states are related closely enough to reproduce, having once been a part of a much larger frog population.
Now spread out, they once relied on networks of habitat corridors. Today, their populations are fragmented and isolated, leading to more inbreeding, according to Stacey Lance, an associate research scientist at the Savannah River Ecology Lab.
Inbreeding can affect a population’s ability to fight off pathogens and other stressors in the environment, Lance said.
So intervention is necessary, said Jeff Hall, a herpetologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
“Because (that connectivity) is gone now, it kind of is up to us as people to intervene and create that same mixing that can no longer happen on its own,” he said.
A tadpole transfer
Frogs need wetlands to breed, but during the last season, drought prevented that in South Carolina.
It’s not unusual for gopher frogs to fail to breed during a drought year, Lance said. But because so little breeding has occurred generally among shrunken and isolated populations, missing one year can be detrimental.
In North Carolina, the conditions were shaping up to be more or less the same as the state’s neighbor to the south. But the Holly Shelter Game Land in North Carolina got enough rain for the frogs to breed, aided by efforts to restore their habitat, Hall said.
For years, scientists have been gathering a small amount of eggs gopher frog mothers deposit in the pond.
In the wild, these eggs face a number of obstacles. They’re a favored snack for predators, and changes in environmental conditions can wipe out a whole egg mass. To help more of the eggs survive into tadpoles, researchers have started collecting some of them.
Those eggs are then brought to an aquarium, and without predators and a variable environment, more survive to become tadpoles, which the scientists then return to the pond.
Hall’s team gathered a lot of eggs from the one successful breeding pond and took them to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. There were enough eggs that he called Lance with a suggestion. Together, they decided that some of those tadpoles could help introduce genetic variability into South Carolina’s populations, while also boosting populations after the drought.
“And so my student and I drove to Fort Fisher, and together a bunch of us packed up 1,200 tadpoles into large Ziplock bags with water and drove them very carefully back to the Savannah River Site,” Lance said.
Once there, the frogs were released into the wild.
Wetlands, woodlands
For years, the gopher frog population across the Carolinas has been diminishing because of wetlands loss and land use changes, including development.
The frogs are highly mobile over their lifetimes, so it can be difficult to restore habitat to support their populations, Hall said. They need the seasonal, temporary ponds to breed, the exact type of landscape that has become increasingly threatened due to the rollback of federal wetlands protections.
In adulthood, the frogs thrive in longleaf pine stands, which now cover only about 3 percent of the tree’s historic range.
The once-prolific tree species needs the occasional wildfire, which clears out the underbrush and creates the ideal soil conditions for its seeds to sprout. But decades of fire suppression across the Southeast helped to limit the growth of the species. Today, many conservationist are bringing fire back to the landscape in a controlled way, conducting prescribed burns to help the trees thrive and, by extension, the animals that depend on them.
In South Carolina, the gopher frog populations are largely split between the Francis Marion National Forest, and the Savannah River Site. Both of these locations provide the wetlands necessary to breed, and the longleaf pine habitat that the adult frogs live in.
“So it's significant amount of land that you're talking about,” Hall said.
It’s too soon to determine how the recently-released frogs will fare in the coming months, but the researchers hope they can thrive.
Aiken County overdose deaths drop by half as statewide fatalities decline
Staffhttps://www.wrdw.com/2026/08/31/aiken-county-overdose-deaths-drop-by-half-statewide-fatalities-decline/
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) — Aiken County recorded a significant drop of 50% or more in drug overdose deaths, mirroring a statewide decline.State officials announced Monday that overall overdose deaths in South Carolina fell more than 31% in 2024. According to the state’s latest data, there were 1,481 drug overdose deaths in 2024, down from 2,157 deaths the previous year.Aiken County was among several counties that recorded reductions of 50% or more, demonstrating the impact of expanded prevention and response efforts....
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) — Aiken County recorded a significant drop of 50% or more in drug overdose deaths, mirroring a statewide decline.
State officials announced Monday that overall overdose deaths in South Carolina fell more than 31% in 2024. According to the state’s latest data, there were 1,481 drug overdose deaths in 2024, down from 2,157 deaths the previous year.
Aiken County was among several counties that recorded reductions of 50% or more, demonstrating the impact of expanded prevention and response efforts.
The body of a nonverbal 5-year-old girl who went missing has been recovered in Pawleys Island, South Carolina.
“We’re encouraged to see overdose deaths declining, a sign that statewide prevention efforts are making a real difference, but even one life lost is too many,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, acting South Carolina Department of Public Health director.
The figures were released as South Carolina leaders marked International Overdose Awareness Day.
Despite the progress, the synthetic opioid fentanyl remains the leading contributor to fatalities, playing a role in 914 of the state’s 1,481 overdose deaths in 2024. To combat this, the state is offering free safety kits containing naloxone and testing strips at local health departments.
On Sunday, community members gathered at the South Carolina State House to honor the lives lost to overdoses and stand in support of those on the journey to recovery.
The event featured a butterfly release symbolizing remembrance, transformation, and hope for families and communities affected by overdose.
Organizers said events like these raise awareness, reduce the stigma, and spread hope. State officials emphasized that work to treat addiction like a chronic disease must continue year-round.
Individuals seeking support can call the Statewide Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
Renovations soon to begin at South Aiken, the most extensive updates in its almost 50-year history
Erin Weekshttps://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/education/south-aiken-high-renovations-groundbreaking/article_f87be390-21a9-4948-bf5a-4d14e983845f.html
AIKEN — The next two years are expected to be transformative for South Aiken High School.District officials say an array of renovations representing a roughly $65 million investment will include a new greenhouse, a culinary arts kitchen, improved athletics facilities and more.These renovations, funded by the 2024 1 percent sales tax are estimated to be completed in October 2028.Ground was broken Sept. 1 to officially announce the start of construction and renovations to the nearly 50-year-old school, which hasn&rsq...
AIKEN — The next two years are expected to be transformative for South Aiken High School.
District officials say an array of renovations representing a roughly $65 million investment will include a new greenhouse, a culinary arts kitchen, improved athletics facilities and more.
These renovations, funded by the 2024 1 percent sales tax are estimated to be completed in October 2028.
Ground was broken Sept. 1 to officially announce the start of construction and renovations to the nearly 50-year-old school, which hasn’t received updates at this scale in its history. Its most significant change to date was the addition of new classroom wings during the 1990s.
“While this campus has been very well loved," said district superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy, “many of its spaces no longer support the high quality instruction and the opportunities that our students deserve.”
As listed on the South Aiken High School website, the additions will include two new buildings and several other renovations.
Building A will house a competition gym seating a minimum of 1,500, a weight room with a view of the athletic stadium, a new training room with ice baths, new locker rooms for competitive sports, new offices for coaches, an N.R.O.T.C classroom and drill pad, new Career and Technical Education facilities for agriculture science and welding.
Building B will house a secure entry lobby, administrative offices in proximity to guidance offices, six science classrooms with lab space, four flex classrooms, two special education classrooms with ADA restrooms and life skills kitchen, adjacent special education offices and a special education conference room and a new culinary kitchen with all necessary program facilities.
Renovation C will include the relocation of band and chorus areas to create needed space, the addition of a dedicated drama classroom next to the school’s auditorium, the conversion of old administrative areas into a new entrance with security for student life offices and the addition of new restrooms.
Other renovations include improved traffic flow with designated car and bus lines.
Student body president Anderson Yarborough said he looks forward to watching these renovations come to fruition, even though he will no longer be a student when the projects are complete.
“Perhaps the most powerful part of today is that we are building something we may never personally get to experience in its entirety,” he said. “Years from now, students who have never met us will walk through these halls… the future of this school is not some distant idea. The future is being built today.”
Dee Dee Redd, a South Aiken High teacher for the past 25 years, spoke about the history of the school as an overflow campus in response to a growing population at Aiken High School.
“In the early 1980s, our city was rapidly expanding,” she said. “The original Aiken High School was bursting at the seams, prompting a reconstruction of the district. South Aiken was established in 1980 to pave a new path for education in the southern part of our county.”
She added that in its early days, many locals considered South Aiken High to be the "other" high school in town.
“We started out with a borrowed campus and some borrowed athletic fields while our permanent home was being established. But we had a visionary leader who refused to let us stay in anyone’s shadow,” she said, referring to the school’s first principal, James Dawsey.
“Today, as we put our shovels in the ground for the newest phase of construction, we aren’t just shifting dirt for a new structure. We are continuing the legacy that Mr. Dawsey started 46 years ago,” she said. “We are breaking ground on the next chapter of innovation, growth and thoroughbred pride.”
SRNS receives S.C. Workforce Champion Award from Gov. McMaster
Carl Dawsonhttps://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/news/savannah-river-site/srns-sc-workforce-champion-award/article_cb26d828-7e99-4aab-848b-c51e67864b63.html
AIKEN — Savannah River Nuclear Solutions was named the 2026 South Carolina Workforce Champion by Gov. Henry McMaster and the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce during a Sept. 1 ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion in Columbia.It is the state’s highest award for education and career development.SRNS has been the management and operations contractor at the Savannah River Site since 2008. Its contract expires in September 2027.“SRNS leads the way in South Carolina by providing students with ha...
AIKEN — Savannah River Nuclear Solutions was named the 2026 South Carolina Workforce Champion by Gov. Henry McMaster and the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce during a Sept. 1 ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion in Columbia.
It is the state’s highest award for education and career development.
SRNS has been the management and operations contractor at the Savannah River Site since 2008. Its contract expires in September 2027.
“SRNS leads the way in South Carolina by providing students with hands-on experiences that introduce them to the opportunities available right here at home,” McMaster said. “South Carolina has a strong nuclear industry that needs skilled workers, and programs like these help ensure that young people are prepared to pursue rewarding careers in our state.”
Selected from nearly 100 nominations, SRNS was honored for its Education Outreach Programs, SRS Apprenticeship School and summer internship program.
“These initiatives reflect SRNS’ longstanding commitment to workforce development at the Savannah River Site and its efforts to introduce students and educators to meaningful careers in national security, nuclear operations, engineering, and other critical skill fields vital to the U.S. Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration,” an Sept. 3 SRNS press release states.
“Along with Governor McMaster, it is my privilege to present the Workforce Champion Award to SRNS,” said William Floyd, DEW Executive Director. “SRNS does an exemplary job of spreading awareness of in-demand occupations in nuclear defense and protection, directly working with students as early as elementary school, and creating programs for teenagers, including those in our state’s rural areas, allowing them to earn a wage while progressing towards long-term careers at SRNS.”
Through these programs, SRNS introduces K-12 and college students to high-demand fields while highlighting the purpose driven missions that protect the nation and advance global security.
“SRNS is honored to be recognized for this award,” said Jeff Griffin, SRNS President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our collaboration with DEW amplifies the impact of every program we offer to ensure students across the region can access career opportunities, industry-leading training, and barrier-free pathways into critical-skill careers. We are proud to model scalable workforce programs that build strong community partnerships and remove obstacles for young professionals.”
Serving six South Carolina counties, the SRNS Education Outreach Program connects classroom learning with real-world experiences through science, technology, engineering, and math activities, mentorship and career exploration. In 2025, eight signature programs collectively engaged over 24,000 students, 630 educators and 3,000 community members.
“Our team of three delivers meaningful, year round STEM experiences that break down barriers, strengthen community partnerships and inspire the next generation,” said Taylor Rice, SRNS Education Outreach Programs Lead. “Impacting nearly 28,000 people in 2025 alone, our scalable, volunteer driven programs continue to build a strong, sustainable talent pipeline for the future.”
A cornerstone of SRNS’ long term workforce strategy, the SRS Apprenticeship School prepares high-skilled talent through 29 registered apprenticeships across three pathways: Key-Skilled Technician, Professional/Degree Based and Youth Apprenticeships. The program has graduated nearly 900 apprentices, with a 93% full time employment rate at SRS.
“Our apprenticeship programs empower the next generation and deliver the ‘Pay, Paper, and Position’ needed for long-term success at SRS,” said BooBoo Roberts, SRNS Program Manager, SRS Apprenticeship School. “By connecting students with mentors, educators and real-world training, we’re building a highly skilled workforce ready to lead our missions forward.”
The SRNS summer internship program offers college and technical students practical training across engineering, IT, business, sciences, communications and more. Interns gain competitive pay, mentorship, OSHA-10 certification, Mental Health First Aid training, and exposure to diverse career paths at SRS. In the 2025 fiscal year, 4,500 applications were received from 51 colleges across 18 states and 173 internships were completed, with 38 students accepting fulltime offers and 25 converting into registered apprenticeships.
"SRNS is proud of the strong talent pipelines we’ve built for students and recent graduates,” said Bryan Ortner, SRNS Senior Vice President of Workforce Services and Talent Management. “We are committed to developing tomorrow’s workforce to ensure we deliver on the country’s vital national security missions."
Since 2023, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce has presented the Workforce Champion Award annually to recognize a person or employer demonstrating creative, effective leadership in school-to-work initiatives.
Go team go: Football inspires United Way of Aiken County's 2026 fundraising campaign kickoff
Dede Bileshttps://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/news/local/uniited-way-of-aiken-county-campaign-kickoff-2026/article_e17e54fb-bb58-43ef-9ca8-d9d4622adfb6.html
GRANITEVILLE — To generate enthusiasm for the official start of its 2026 fundraising campaign, the United Way of Aiken County chose “Game Day” as the theme for its event Aug. 28 at the Aiken County Family YMCA.Many people wore football jerseys or other clothing that featured the colors of Clemson or the University of South Carolina.There also was some cheerleader-style pom-pom shaking, and helmets from Aiken County’s high school football teams were among the decorations.The ESPN “College Gam...
GRANITEVILLE — To generate enthusiasm for the official start of its 2026 fundraising campaign, the United Way of Aiken County chose “Game Day” as the theme for its event Aug. 28 at the Aiken County Family YMCA.
Many people wore football jerseys or other clothing that featured the colors of Clemson or the University of South Carolina.
There also was some cheerleader-style pom-pom shaking, and helmets from Aiken County’s high school football teams were among the decorations.
The ESPN “College GameDay” vibe was no accident.
“This campaign is going to be an exciting one,” said United Way President and Chief Professional Officer Ellen Luton. “We are doing a football kickoff type of theme, and that’s important because we want to showcase and really celebrate what our partner agencies all do together as a team.
“One single agency can’t tackle all the issues alone,” she continued. “It takes a collaborative effort.”
The United Way’s fundraising goal this year is $2,001,658.
“I’m feeling really optimistic,” Luton said. “We’ve had a few pacesetter campaigns that have already started raising money for us. Their participants have been pretty gung ho and excited about it, so I think we are going to have a successful year.
“I just believe in the generosity of our community,” she added.
United Way Board Chair Danielle Elliott also had a positive outlook.
“I have a great group of people working with me to make this campaign successful,” she said. “We just know we are going to have spectacular year, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Chris Bryant is the 2026 fundraising campaign’s chair.
When he served in the same position last year, the campaign generated $2,295,721.
“There is a lot of need in the community, and this is a good event to get everybody energized,” said Bryant about the importance, in general, of the United Way’s annual campaign kickoff.
A partner agency fair traditionally has been a part of the campaign kickoff, and it returned this year.
There was an area with tables for the participating agencies to use for displays.
The Tri-Development Center of Aiken County was giving away football-shaped cookies made by its Busy Bakers.
Money raised during the United Way’s 2026 fundraising campaign will help pay for its partner agencies’ programs that are “important to the community,” said Terrence Jackson, Tri-Development’s director of safety, prevention and volunteer services.
He is a big fan of the agency fair because it offers Tri-Development the opportunity to interact with campaign kickoff attendees and give them information about the nonprofit’s services.
Tri-Development assists individuals with autism, head and spinal cord injuries, and intellectual disabilities.
The other agency fair participants included Mental Health America of Aiken, Barnwell and Edgefield Counties.
“The United Way is so important to nonprofits because without them, we couldn’t do what we do,” said Mental Health America Executive Director BonnieAnne Fulghum.
For more information about the United Way, call 803-648-8331 or visit uwaiken.org.
The United Way’s headquarters is at 159 Morgan St. N.W. in Aiken.
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