Today we’d like to introduce you to Evan Carr.
Hi Evan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Modeled on similar outreach efforts across the country, Spartanburg Shares opened its doors to the community on October 13, 2012. In October 2011, an organizational board began meeting to establish a working model and enlist community stakeholders. Since then, several critical local agencies and organizations have pledged their support. The closet is located in space generously donated by the Episcopal Church of the Advent. The Advent Outreach Center is located at 137 S. Dean Street in downtown Spartanburg. Our loan closet is the only one of its kind in the Upstate and in South Carolina, and one of three in both Carolinas.
Our mission is to lend durable medical equipment, free of charge, to any resident of Spartanburg County for up to 90 days.
Our inventory is comprised of gently-used donated equipment for the express purpose of “paying it forward.” There is no income threshold or insurance requirement associated with our equipment loans, just a picture ID proving residence in Spartanburg County. Our nonprofit helps clients with temporary equipment needs, those without the means to purchase equipment and persons without adequate healthcare.
Our organization was started by its founder, Bea Bruce. Ms. Bruce modeled the idea and organization from a similar organization she discovered in North Carolina while attempting to find medical equipment for her now-late husband who had Parkinson’s. Before Spartanburg Shares was launched and opened, it was more difficult to find and access inexpensive medical equipment or borrow medical equipment in Spartanburg County.
Bea’s son, Brian, has recently taken over the operations within the last year after her retirement, with the help of Volunteer Coordinator Evan Carr and a team of frequent volunteers. Brian manages the strategy, planning and organization of our operations while Evan recruits volunteers and donors through flyer distribution, forming partnerships with area schools, churches, colleges and businesses and also serving as a spokesperson and securing media coverage on area television and radio stations, podcasts, blogs and in local and regional newspapers and magazines.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been a smooth road for our nonprofit. Spartanburg Shares had to suspend normal operations from March 2020 to September 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, a few volunteers and board members met clients with emergency needs. Spartanburg Shares is now back to regular operating hours since September 2021. We were also finally able to host our first annual car show after two other attempts were cancelled in Spring 2020 and then Fall 2021 due to COVID and other conflicts. Unfortunately, due to the weather and lack of availability for other dates (or dates where there were fewer to no car shows happening), we did not have too many attendees or vehicle entries. However, the team of volunteers banded and bonded together and we were all able to give some business to a coffee and latte truck that came for our show and was able to stay the entire time – Java Up from Landrum, SC. The show also gave some exposure to Stisa Talent Agency, Gullah Q Lowcountry BBQ, Cambodian Recipe and Little River Roasting (who donated coffee for the volunteers to enjoy).
Spartanburg Shares has benefited from the help of companies and organizations, including the Walmart Foundation, the Spartanburg Regional Foundation, the Episcopal Church of the Advent, Hunters for the Hungry and Doctors’ Care, to name a few. Visit our website for more information on Spartanburg Shares – www.spartanburgshares.org.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the Lead Volunteer Coordinator for Spartanburg Shares Medical Loan Closet. In my role, I specialize in volunteer recruitment and management, fundraising event strategy and planning, public relations, marketing and creative communications as well as assisting with grant research and office and IT management.
I am known for creating and building a culture where everyone works together well, enjoys coming and volunteering and gets a chance to shine. I am most proud of what we have accomplished since our turnaround and relaunch in fall 2021 post-pandemic through expanding our volunteer pipeline and increasing our brand awareness. I am also very proud of all our volunteers, both as individuals and as a team.
I have humor and approachability that helps put volunteers, customers and others at ease. I also have a leadership style that allows our volunteers to be themselves, bringing their own personalities and unique insights to work and allowing for increasing growth and confidence.
I also make great coffee, know a lot of the great local spots for walking/hiking and biking, entertainment, coffee, food and drinks and I’m frequently on the radio and TV (especially promoting Shares)! 
I will be appearing on WHNS-TV Fox Carolina’s daily lifestyle show “Access Carolina” to talk about Spartanburg Shares this Thursday, February 27 at 10am (repeating at 2pm). WHNS FOX Carolina is found on channel 21 via antenna, Dish and DirecTV/AT&T and on cable channel 12 for Spectrum viewers. The station is also available on Hulu Live TV.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Tenacity is most important to my success. I’ve come to realize that many careers (and successful careers at that) are not linear and have a lot of pivots with trial and error. We try many roles, hats, and industries, figure out what culture fits us best, whether and how we will use our education, and what fulfills us most. Negotiation is also a useful skill to make sure you get to work under the best conditions (or the terms that work best for you).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.spartanburgshares.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/cevancarr | www.instagram.com/yourecmedia | www.instagram.com/theevancarr
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/spartanburgshares
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/spartanburg-shares
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/spartanburgs
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@cevancarr | www.youtube.com/@ecmedia5
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@yourecmedia | www.threads.com/@cevancarr | www.threads.com/@yourecmedia | www.twitter.com/cevancarr | www.facebook.com/cevancarr | www.facebook.com/yourecmedia
