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9<title>About Upstate Forever | Mission &amp; Vision</title>
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62              <p><strong>Request for Qualifications:</strong> Upstate Forever seeks consultant for water quality monitoring services. Apply by&nbsp;5:00 p.m. ET on October 2, 2026.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.upstateforever.org/news/upstate-forever-seeks-consultant-for-water-quality-monitoring-services">Learn more</a></p>
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100          <ul class="vertical large-horizontal menu mainmenu" data-responsive-menu="accordion large-dropdown"> 
101            		<li class=" has-submenu">
102			<a class='no-click'>Who We Are</a>
103		<ul class='submenu menu vertical' data-submenu>
104								<li class=''>
105			<a href="/about">About</a>
106	</li>
107	
108						<li class=''>
109			<a href="/team">Staff</a>
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236 100vw' width='2400' height='1300' alt="Who We Are">
237            <div class="caption">
238              <h1>Who <br/>
239We Are</h1>
240            </div>
241          </div>
242        </div>
243    
244
245  
246  	
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248 
249
250 <div class="two-columns-section bg-cream pad-top-bottom" id='mission-and-vision-141'>
251		<div class="row padsides align-top justify-between fadein">
252		<div class="small-24 columns clean-table fadein large-12">
253			<h5>Our Mission</h5>
254
255<p class="intro">Upstate Forever is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects critical lands, waters, and the unique character of Upstate South Carolina.&nbsp;</p>
256
257		</div>
258				<div class="small-24 columns clean-table fadein large-12 ">
259				<h5>Our Vision</h5>
260
261<p class="intro">An&nbsp;environmentally healthy, economically prosperous Upstate that offers a high quality of life now and for future generations.</p>
262
263		</div>
264	</div>
265	
266</div><div class="image-text bg-white pad-top-bottom" id='service-area-549'>
267	<div class="row fadein padsides img-right align-center">
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278		<div class="small-24 large-10 columns clean-table text"><h3 style="text-align:center">Service area</h3>
279
280<p style="text-align:center">We focus our work on the ten counties of Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union.</p>
281</div>
282	</div>
283
284</div><div class="text-section bg-cream pad-top" id='program-slides-title-557'>
285	<div class="row padsides justify-center fadein">
286		<div class="small-24 columns clean-table large-24">
287			<h3 style="text-align:center"><a id="programs" name="programs"></a>Our ProgramS</h3>
288
289		</div>
290	</div>
291
292</div><div class="slide-section bg-cream pad-top-bottom" id='program-overview-slides-103'>
293		<div class="row padsides fadein">
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295		<div class="slider slideshow">
296							<div class='slide'>
297								<a href="/land-conservation" class='img-wrap'>
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309					</span>
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311							</div>
312								<div class='slide'>
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341					</span>
342									</a>
343							</div>
344								<div class='slide'>
345								<a href="/energy" class='img-wrap'>
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357					</span>
358									</a>
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361								<a href="/state-policy" class='img-wrap'>
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373					</span>
374									</a>
375							</div>
376							</div>
377		<div class="dots"></div>
378		<div class="arrows"></div>
379		<div class="count"><span class='slide-counter'></span></div>
380		<div class="slideshow-nav">
381							<div class="slide">
382					<div class="inner">
383												<div class="columns left-col">
384							<h4>Land Conservation</h4>
385						</div>
386												<div class="columns right-col">
387							<p class='support'>We partner with public and private landowners, partner organizations, and funders to protect and steward special places in our region.</p>
388														<p><a href="/land-conservation" class="underline">Learn more</a></p>
389													</div>
390
391					</div>
392				</div>
393							<div class="slide">
394					<div class="inner">
395												<div class="columns left-col">
396							<h4>Clean Water</h4>
397						</div>
398												<div class="columns right-col">
399							<p class='support'>We work to protect water quality and quantity, ensuring that our streams, rivers, and lakes remain healthy for the benefit of all Upstate residents.</p>
400														<p><a href="/clean-water" class="underline">Learn more</a></p>
401													</div>
402
403					</div>
404				</div>
405							<div class="slide">
406					<div class="inner">
407												<div class="columns left-col">
408							<h4>Land Planning &amp; Policy</h4>
409						</div>
410												<div class="columns right-col">
411							<p class='support'>We work at the local level to promote more balanced land development policies in our rapidly growing region.</p>
412														<p><a href="/land-planning-and-policy" class="underline">Learn more</a></p>
413													</div>
414
415					</div>
416				</div>
417							<div class="slide">
418					<div class="inner">
419												<div class="columns left-col">
420							<h4>Energy</h4>
421						</div>
422												<div class="columns right-col">
423							<p class='support'>We advocate for viable alternatives to unnecessary energy infrastructure while participating at the SC Public Service Commission and looking out for ratepayers&#039; rights.</p>
424														<p><a href="/energy" class="underline">Learn more</a></p>
425													</div>
426
427					</div>
428				</div>
429							<div class="slide">
430					<div class="inner">
431												<div class="columns left-col">
432							<h4>State Policy</h4>
433						</div>
434												<div class="columns right-col">
435							<p class='support'>We collaborate with lawmakers, partner organizations, citizens, utilities, business leaders, and state agencies to represent the Upstate&#039;s interests at the State House.</p>
436														<p><a href="/state-policy" class="underline">Learn more</a></p>
437													</div>
438
439					</div>
440				</div>
441					</div>
442	</div>
443	</div>
444	
445</div>
446
447
448<div class="text-section bg-green-gray pad-top-bottom" id='success-slides-title-intro-142'>
449	<div class="row padsides justify-center fadein">
450		<div class="small-24 columns clean-table large-18">
451			<h3>Rooted in success</h3>
452
453<p>Founded in 1998 by Greenville attorney Brad Wyche, Upstate Forever has built a solid foundation and reputation as a thoughtful and deliberate organization seeking to balance growth with the protection of the region&rsquo;s natural resources. We have succeeded in protecting some of our region&rsquo;s most important assets &ndash; our wild landscapes, working farmlands, clean and abundant waterways, and rural character &ndash; while ensuring that Upstate communities retain their unique identities by advocating for responsible growth in the face of rapid development and significant sprawl.&nbsp;</p>
454
455		</div>
456	</div>
457
458</div><div class="slide-section bg-green-gray " id='success-slides-165'>
459		<div class="row padsides fadein">
460		<div class="slidewrap small-24 columns">
461		<div class="slider slideshow">
462							<div class='slide'>
463								<a href="/case-studies/protected-properties" class='img-wrap'>
464									<span class="overlay">
465					<img src='https://upstateforever.imgix.net/04302021-grantmeadowribboncutting-401026192471.jpg' srcset='
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468https://upstateforever.imgix.net/04302021-grantmeadowribboncutting-401026192471.jpg?w=640&auto=format,compress 640w,
469https://upstateforever.imgix.net/04302021-grantmeadowribboncutting-401026192471.jpg?w=1020&auto=format,compress 1020w,
470https://upstateforever.imgix.net/04302021-grantmeadowribboncutting-401026192471.jpg?w=1200&auto=format,compress 1200w,
471https://upstateforever.imgix.net/04302021-grantmeadowribboncutting-401026192471.jpg?w=1440&auto=format,compress 1440w,
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473(max-width: 640px) 100vw,
474 50vw' width='1248' height='728' class='lazyload' alt='40,000+ acres protected'/>
475					</span>
476									</a>
477							</div>
478								<div class='slide'>
479								<a href="/case-studies/past-projects/prisma-health-swamp-rabbit-trail" class='img-wrap'>
480									<span class="overlay">
481					<img src='https://upstateforever.imgix.net/swamprabbittrailbike-dickcarr409161986.jpg' srcset='
482https://upstateforever.imgix.net/swamprabbittrailbike-dickcarr409161986.jpg?w=160&auto=format,compress 160w,
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485https://upstateforever.imgix.net/swamprabbittrailbike-dickcarr409161986.jpg?w=1020&auto=format,compress 1020w,
486https://upstateforever.imgix.net/swamprabbittrailbike-dickcarr409161986.jpg?w=1200&auto=format,compress 1200w,
487https://upstateforever.imgix.net/swamprabbittrailbike-dickcarr409161986.jpg?w=1440&auto=format,compress 1440w,
488https://upstateforever.imgix.net/swamprabbittrailbike-dickcarr409161986.jpg?w=1920&auto=format,compress 1920w' sizes='
489(max-width: 640px) 100vw,
490 50vw' width='1248' height='728' class='lazyload' alt='Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail '/>
491					</span>
492									</a>
493							</div>
494								<div class='slide'>
495								<a href="/case-studies/past-projects/kinder-morgan-plantation-pipeline-spill" class='img-wrap'>
496									<span class="overlay">
497					<img src='https://upstateforever.imgix.net/andersonwatercouncil-spillsitevisit2022-3899373369.jpg' srcset='
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502https://upstateforever.imgix.net/andersonwatercouncil-spillsitevisit2022-3899373369.jpg?w=1200&auto=format,compress 1200w,
503https://upstateforever.imgix.net/andersonwatercouncil-spillsitevisit2022-3899373369.jpg?w=1440&auto=format,compress 1440w,
504https://upstateforever.imgix.net/andersonwatercouncil-spillsitevisit2022-3899373369.jpg?w=1920&auto=format,compress 1920w' sizes='
505(max-width: 640px) 100vw,
506 50vw' width='1248' height='728' class='lazyload' alt='Holding polluters accountable'/>
507					</span>
508									</a>
509							</div>
510								<div class='slide'>
511								<a href="/case-studies/clean-water/paddle-sc" class='img-wrap'>
512									<span class="overlay">
513					<img src='https://upstateforever.imgix.net/adobestock-308214411385200687.jpeg' srcset='
514https://upstateforever.imgix.net/adobestock-308214411385200687.jpeg?w=160&auto=format,compress 160w,
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520https://upstateforever.imgix.net/adobestock-308214411385200687.jpeg?w=1920&auto=format,compress 1920w' sizes='
521(max-width: 640px) 100vw,
522 50vw' width='1248' height='728' class='lazyload' alt='Connecting people to our rivers and lakes'/>
523					</span>
524									</a>
525							</div>
526								<div class='slide'>
527								<a href="/citizens-planning-academy" class='img-wrap'>
528									<span class="overlay">
529					<img src='https://upstateforever.imgix.net/04082022-advocacy101-others-141556471032.jpg' srcset='
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535https://upstateforever.imgix.net/04082022-advocacy101-others-141556471032.jpg?w=1440&auto=format,compress 1440w,
536https://upstateforever.imgix.net/04082022-advocacy101-others-141556471032.jpg?w=1920&auto=format,compress 1920w' sizes='
537(max-width: 640px) 100vw,
538 50vw' width='1248' height='728' class='lazyload' alt='250+ citizens advocates trained'/>
539					</span>
540									</a>
541							</div>
542								<div class='slide'>
543								<a href="/drinkingwater" class='img-wrap'>
544									<span class="overlay">
545					<img src='https://upstateforever.imgix.net/850-3327-edit835265593.jpg' srcset='
546https://upstateforever.imgix.net/850-3327-edit835265593.jpg?w=160&auto=format,compress 160w,
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548https://upstateforever.imgix.net/850-3327-edit835265593.jpg?w=640&auto=format,compress 640w,
549https://upstateforever.imgix.net/850-3327-edit835265593.jpg?w=1020&auto=format,compress 1020w,
550https://upstateforever.imgix.net/850-3327-edit835265593.jpg?w=1200&auto=format,compress 1200w,
551https://upstateforever.imgix.net/850-3327-edit835265593.jpg?w=1440&auto=format,compress 1440w,
552https://upstateforever.imgix.net/850-3327-edit835265593.jpg?w=1920&auto=format,compress 1920w' sizes='
553(max-width: 640px) 100vw,
554 50vw' width='1248' height='728' class='lazyload' alt='Strategic watershed plans'/>
555					</span>
556									</a>
557							</div>
558								<div class='slide'>
559								<a href="/case-studies/clean-water/twelve-mile-river-restoration" class='img-wrap'>
560									<span class="overlay">
561					<img src='https://upstateforever.imgix.net/dsc-06311526662588.jpg' srcset='
562https://upstateforever.imgix.net/dsc-06311526662588.jpg?w=160&auto=format,compress 160w,
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565https://upstateforever.imgix.net/dsc-06311526662588.jpg?w=1020&auto=format,compress 1020w,
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567https://upstateforever.imgix.net/dsc-06311526662588.jpg?w=1440&auto=format,compress 1440w,
568https://upstateforever.imgix.net/dsc-06311526662588.jpg?w=1920&auto=format,compress 1920w' sizes='
569(max-width: 640px) 100vw,
570 50vw' width='1248' height='728' class='lazyload' alt='Toxic chemical cleanup'/>
571					</span>
572									</a>
573							</div>
574							</div>
575		<div class="dots"></div>
576		<div class="arrows"></div>
577		<div class="count"><span class='slide-counter'></span></div>
578		<div class="slideshow-nav">
579							<div class="slide">
580					<div class="inner">
581												<div class="columns left-col">
582							<h4>40,000+ acres protected</h4>
583						</div>
584												<div class="columns right-col">
585							<p class='support'>Our Land Trust has worked with generous landowners, funders, and partners to enact nearly 200 conservation easements, permanently protecting and stewarding more than 32,600 acres and directly supporting efforts by partners to protect nearly 9,000 more.</p>
586														<p><a href="/case-studies/protected-properties" class="underline">Learn more</a></p>
587													</div>
588
589					</div>
590				</div>
591							<div class="slide">
592					<div class="inner">
593												<div class="columns left-col">
594							<h4>Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail </h4>
595						</div>
596												<div class="columns right-col">
597							<p class='support'>The Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail has been a game-changer for Greenville County, enhancing quality of life and bringing $9.5 million to the community annually. Upstate Forever played an essential role in securing and opening the trail, as well as catalyzing an extension from downtown to CU-ICAR.</p>
598														<p><a href="/case-studies/past-projects/prisma-health-swamp-rabbit-trail" class="underline">Read more</a></p>
599													</div>
600
601					</div>
602				</div>
603							<div class="slide">
604					<div class="inner">
605												<div class="columns left-col">
606							<h4>Holding polluters accountable</h4>
607						</div>
608												<div class="columns right-col">
609							<p class='support'>In 2014, the Kinder Morgan pipeline in Belton ruptured and spilled more than 369,000 gallons of gasoline into the surrounding environment. UF partnered with the Southern Environmental Law Center and Savannah Riverkeeper to file a Clean Water Act lawsuit against Kinder Morgan to ensure adequate cleanup, a process that took years and went as far as the US Supreme Court. Kinder Morgan eventually settled for $1.5 million.</p>
610														<p><a href="/case-studies/past-projects/kinder-morgan-plantation-pipeline-spill" class="underline">Read more</a></p>
611													</div>
612
613					</div>
614				</div>
615							<div class="slide">
616					<div class="inner">
617												<div class="columns left-col">
618							<h4>Connecting people to our rivers and lakes</h4>
619						</div>
620												<div class="columns right-col">
621							<p class='support'>With support from the Callie and John Rainey Foundation and other partners, UF led coordination of blueway trail mapping throughout SC to catalyze river access across the Upstate. This project connects paddlers of all skill levels to the best water recreation sites across the state via www.PaddleSC.com.</p>
622														<p><a href="/case-studies/clean-water/paddle-sc" class="underline">Learn more</a></p>
623													</div>
624
625					</div>
626				</div>
627							<div class="slide">
628					<div class="inner">
629												<div class="columns left-col">
630							<h4>250+ citizens advocates trained</h4>
631						</div>
632												<div class="columns right-col">
633							<p class='support'>UF is dedicated to demystifying the land use planning process for local residents. Since 2019, we’ve engaged over 250 Greenville residents in Citizens Planning Academies, advocacy trainings, and postcard-writing social events.</p>
634														<p><a href="/citizens-planning-academy" class="underline">Read more</a></p>
635													</div>
636
637					</div>
638				</div>
639							<div class="slide">
640					<div class="inner">
641												<div class="columns left-col">
642							<h4>Strategic watershed plans</h4>
643						</div>
644												<div class="columns right-col">
645							<p class='support'>Thanks to funding from the SC Department of Environmental Services, our Clean Water Team has analyzed data and created strategic watershed-based plans to improve water quality in the Saluda; North/ Middle, and South Tyger, 3&amp;20 Creek, and Lake Keowee watersheds.</p>
646														<p><a href="/drinkingwater" class="underline">Read more</a></p>
647													</div>
648
649					</div>
650				</div>
651							<div class="slide">
652					<div class="inner">
653												<div class="columns left-col">
654							<h4>Toxic chemical cleanup</h4>
655						</div>
656												<div class="columns right-col">
657							<p class='support'>Between 1955 and 1977, a manufacturing plant discharged over 400,000 pounds of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a highly toxic chemical, into a tributary of Twelve Mile River, resulting in widespread contamination in the river and Lake Hartwell. Alongside the Lake Hartwell Association and Pickens Soil and Water Conservation District, UF successfully advocated for implementation of the federal court’s consent decree to remove PCB-contaminated sediment and two dams on the river.</p>
658														<p><a href="/case-studies/clean-water/twelve-mile-river-restoration" class="underline">Learn more</a></p>
659													</div>
660
661					</div>
662				</div>
663					</div>
664	</div>
665	</div>
666	
667</div>
668
669
670<div class="text-section bg-dark-green pad-top-bottom" id='future-work-13'>
671	<div class="row padsides justify-center fadein">
672		<div class="small-24 columns clean-table large-18">
673			<h3 style="text-align:center">The work continues</h3>
674
675<p style="text-align:center">We have a proven track record of working tirelessly to conserve land, protect drinking water, and advocate for policies and plans that support smart growth and a clean energy future. Every five years, we conduct a strategic planning process to identify the primary goals and objectives that will best position Upstate Forever to achieve its mission. Our 2023-2027 Strategic Goals reaffirm our commitment to the Upstate region and are the driving force behind our work through 2027.</p>
676
677<p style="text-align:center"><a class="button" href="/goals">View our 2023-2027 strategic goals</a></p>
678
679		</div>
680	</div>
681
682</div><div class="text-section bg-cream pad-top-bottom" id='dei-statement-140'>
683	<div class="row padsides justify-center fadein">
684		<div class="small-24 columns clean-table large-18">
685			<h3><a id="DEI" name="DEI"></a>Our Commitment To Diversity, Equity &amp; Inclusion</h3>
686
687<p>Upstate Forever&rsquo;s mission is to protect critical lands, waters, and the unique character of the Upstate region. We envision a future that is healthy, vibrant, and prosperous. To realize that vision, we know it is vitally important and essential to our core values that we engage the diverse community we serve.</p>
688
689<p>To develop and advance long-lasting, equitable solutions for balanced growth and natural resource protection, our leadership is committed to working intentionally to engage a broader base of Upstate residents in the coming years.&nbsp;</p>
690
691<p>We will build staff knowledge and capacity related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will frequently ask ourselves &mdash;&nbsp;who is impacted by this work, and how is their voice represented in the conservation and advocacy solutions we seek? We will amplify the stories of underrepresented stakeholders in the conservation movement &mdash;&nbsp;especially people of color.&nbsp;</p>
692
693<p>Finally, we will take deliberate steps to build authentic community partnerships and cultivate new leaders at all levels of our organization &mdash;&nbsp;from our membership to our staff to our board &mdash;&nbsp;to ensure that we better represent the community we serve.</p>
694
695<h5>READ OUR&nbsp;UPDATES ON DEI PROGRESS:</h5>
696
697<h5><a href="https://www.upstateforever.org/blog/our-community/progress-towards-our-
697diversity-equity-and-inclusion-goals-in-2025" target="_blank">2025</a> |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.upstateforever.org/blog/our-community/progress-towards-our-diversity-equity-inclusion-goals-in-2024" target="_blank">2024</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="/blog/connecting-people-to-nature/progress-toward-our-diversity-equity-inclusion-goals-in-2023" target="_blank">2023</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="/blog/connecting-people-to-nature/diversity-equity-inclusion-progress-report" target="_blank">2022</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="/blog/connecting-people-to-nature/progress-toward-our-diversity-equity-inclusion-goals" target="_blank">2021</a></h5>
698
699<hr/>
700<p class="support"><em>This work is ongoing and we want to listen and learn from members of the Upstate community. Please contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:[email protected]?subject=DEI%20Question">[email protected]</a>&nbsp;with questions and comments.</em></p>
701
702		</div>
703	</div>
704
705</div><div class="text-section bg-dark-green pad-top-bottom" id='donate-cta-166'>
706	<div class="row padsides justify-center fadein">
707		<div class="small-24 columns clean-table large-24">
708			<h3>We need your support</h3>
709
710<p>As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Upstate Forever relies on generous contributions from people like you in order to continue this important work.</p>
711
712<p><a class="button" href="/donate">Donate now</a></p>
713
714		</div>
715	</div>
716
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722      <label for="email-address" class='form-label'>Email Address</label>
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759        
760        <p>
761        <span class='upper'>Greenville, SC</span><br/>                  <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/t5s1yUskcP7uHxGR8" target="_blank">          507 Pettigru Street
762          <br/>Greenville, SC 29601  
763          </a>                </p>
764        <p>
765        <span class='upper'>Spartanburg, SC</span><br/>                  <a href="https://www.google.com" target="_blank">          900 S. Pine St, Ste 1B
766          <br/>Spartanburg, SC 29302  
767          </a>                </p>
768    </div>
769    <div class="col3 small-24 medium-12 large-6 columns">
770      <h6>What We Do</h6>
771
772<p><a href="/land-conservation">Land Conservation</a><br/>
772
773<a href="/clean-water">Clean Water</a><br/>
774<a href="/land-planning-and-policy">Land Planning &amp; Policy</a><br/>
775<a href="/energy">Energy</a><br/>
776<a href="/state-policy">State Policy</a><br/>
777<a href="/case-studies">Featured Projects</a></p>
778
779    </div>
780    <div class="col4 small-24 medium-12 large-4 columns">
781      <h6>Take Action</h6>
782
783<p><a href="/advocacy">Advocate</a><br/>
784<a href="/volunteer">Volunteer</a><br/>
785<a href="/donate">Donate</a><br/>
786<a href="/events">Events</a></p>
787
788<p>&nbsp;</p>
789
790    </div>
791    <div class="col5 small-24 medium-12 large-4 columns">
792      <h6>News</h6>
793
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