Tri-Development joins business review website to help raise nonprofit funds

By SUZANNE R. STONE

Staff writer

The Charleston-based website www.PalmettoBizBuzz.com has instituted a new program to help South Carolina charities while pooling information about businesses around the state.

The website calls for consumer reviews of South Carolina businesses and features a database searchable by type of business.

With the "Give Back Campaign," the website pledges to contribute $1 to participating charities per consumer review earmarked for a given charity through July 30.

The Tri-Development Center of Aiken County Inc. has signed on as a participating nonprofit organization with the Give Back campaign.

The agency provides services for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities, including day programs, life skills training and assistance finding work opportunities in the community.

"It looks like a good way to rate area businesses, and what's very important for us is that it's an easy way to raise funds for people with disabilities," said Tri-Development Center executive director Ralph Courtney.

Charities must have a minimum of $50 in earmarked reviews by July 30 to receive the donation, and those with $100 or more in pledges will receive an additional $100 from the website; participating charities are to receive their donations within a month of the conclusion of the campaign.

"Once a local nonprofit organization has signed up for the Give Back campaign, they should contact their supporters and urge them to write reviews of local businesses on PalmettoBizBuzz.com," said PalmettoBizBuzz.com president Ward Lassoe.

"The more reviews they write, the more money that the charity will earn. This is an outstanding way for South Carolina consumers to support their favorite cause."

For information on signing up a nonprofit organization for the Give Back campaign or to write a review, visit www.PalmettoBizBuzz.com or e-mail giveback@palmettobizbuzz.com.

Contact Suzanne Stone at sstone@aikenstandard.com.