WHY ORIGINAL DESIGN?
Everyone has an original design — whether you’re a 40-year-old donor or a child attending camp for the very first time. Our original design as children of God is to have an intimate relationship with Him and to work together to bring His Kingdom to earth. God loves us and values us so much He sacrificed Himself for us. When we know God intimately, we begin to see the value that is placed on our lives. We want to impart the revelation of our original design to children everywhere!
Forward Together
Currently, South Carolina ranks among the lowest states in the U.S. in child educational, physical, and social well-being. Original Design aims to help change that.
Our Values
Whether we’re at camp playing a game or teaching at a giveback event, we want to show children the value of faith, health, athletics, and life skills.
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We believe that Jesus is the only person who can give us the value that we are desperately looking for. We will provide an environment where the campers, mentors, and staff can live in the Original Design that they were created for; full of righteousness, peace, and joy.
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We believe every child must be healthy before they can thrive. As a result, we place high value on physical exercise, nutritional diet, and mental health.
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We believe commitment to a sport has the potential to teach a child life-long discipline and passion. That’s why we’ll often use various sports to help instill a healthy work ethic and accountability!
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We believe every child should be empowered with knowledge that will help them succeed for the rest of their lives. That’s why we focus on teaching practical skills and introducing children to role models they can admire.
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Jay Urich
Founder & Executive Director
A native of Greenville, SC and a former Gamecock quarterback, Jay is passionate about Jesus and the people around him knowing the love of God. Since ending his football career, he’s been able to use his platform to create a non-profit to support the children in Columbia, SC.
Original Design is the result and collaboration of Jay’s passions and dreams for helping give children opportunities to thrive in all aspects of life by using faith, athletics, life skills, and health education.
Jay, who excelled in the classroom throughout his time in Garnet and Black, graduated from the Arnold School of Public Health. He also graduated with a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at the University of South Carolina in May of 2023 while serving as a graduate assistant in the student-athlete development department.
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Emily Jermstad
Program Coordinator
Emily graduated from Lander University with a degree in Early Childhood Education in 2020, where she also played college soccer. She continued her education at the University of South Carolina, where she obtained a Master of Social Work degree in 2023. She has had the opportunity to work within schools and advocacy centers since then.
Emily is passionate about helping children and their families succeed in their environments. She wants to empower and encourage children through athletics, sharing the gospel, and providing the tools/resources they need to become successful.
She is super excited for the chance to work for an organization like Original Design. “I never thought that I would find a place that combines my love for athletics, helping people, and my passion for sharing Christ with children. I am beyond excited to encourage and motivate the children in our program this year. I already feel so at home!”
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Elizabeth Merritt
Communications Coordinator
Elizabeth is a recent graduate from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Visual Communications. Being born and raised in Columbia, SC, she has grown up with a passion to use her gifts to serve others in the local community. Throughout her college years, Elizabeth was involved in various nonprofit organizations and served two years on the executive board for USC Dance Marathon, a student-run philanthropy that raises funds and awareness for Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in Columbia.
In 2022, she was the Creative Media intern for Original Design, where she saw first hand how impactful this program is on the lives of children in South Carolina. She is excited to continue doing what she loves for Original Design as the Communications Coordinator, and cannot wait for what this year has in store.
Our Governing Board
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President of Blue Choice Health Plan | Original Design Board Chair
As the current president and chief operating officer of BlueChoice® HealthPlan of South Carolina, Tim is responsible for overseeing all four of BlueChoice®’s health care lines of business. BlueChoice currently offers products in the large group employer market, small group employer market, individual health insurance market, and a Medicaid HMO product, Healthy Blue. Tim is a 27-year veteran with BlueCross® BlueShield® of South Carolina and BlueChoice, having served in a variety of capacities during his tenure. Tim received a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Furman University. He is a certified public accountant. Tim serves on the board of several organizations including the EAP Alliance, Inc., Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina, & Original Design. Tim is also a Deacon and Church Treasurer of Gateway Baptist Church in Ballentine, SC.
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Director of Marketing at Southern Visions Real Estate | Original Design Board Member
Anne is a native of South Carolina and has always been passionate about serving in her community. Anne has worked with youth in board and volunteer positions for over 30 years. Anne believes we can change the lives of young people by sharing the gospel with them and showing them compassion. Original Design’s mission of teaching youth about the love of Jesus through camps, learning skills and knowing the value of faith, made it an easy decision for Anne to join the OD Board. Anne holds a B.A. in Business Administration and a Masters in Business Administration, both from the University of South Carolina. Anne and her husband Chuck live in Columbia, and have 3 children, a daughter-in-law, son-in-law, 2 beautiful grandchildren and a 5lb dog named Coco.
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Morning News Anchor & Multi-skilled Journalist at WLTX | Original Design Board Member and Board Secretary
Whitney Sullivan is an anchor and multi-platform producer for WLTX-TV, creating content for and appearing on the station's weekday morning newscast. Whitney attended grade school in Richland District Two and graduated with honors from Clemson University. Whitney is the 2023 South Carolina Television Personality of the Year. In addition, she also received the Merit Award for South Carolina Anchor of the Year from the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association. Whitney has been nominated for six Emmy awards for her work as a producer, reporter, and anchor. In 2020, she was presented with the Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award by the Columbia Veteran Affairs Health Care System. Whitney is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and serves on multiple boards of nonprofit organizations in the Midlands. Whitney is a community-focused storyteller with a passion for uplifting, informing, and encouraging others.
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Firehouse Subs Franchisee | Original Design Board Member
Larry was Born in Olanta, SC and currently lives in Blythewood, SC. He is married to Jewel Rogers Chandler. Httended the University of South Carolina. He is the Owner of TLC Enterprises, and AP&RP doing business as Firehouse Subs with 37 locations in South and North Carolina. Owner of Chandler Restaurant Group doing business as Slim Chickens in the Charleston/Myrtle Beach and Florence area.He got involved with Original Design after meeting Jay and hearing about his vision to help children in our state. It has been a very positive experience to say the least.
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Tax Supervisor at Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P. A. | Original Design Board Member
Tim is a native of South Jersey and currently serves as a tax supervisor at Bauknight, Pietras & Stormer, P.A. He is passionate about using his gifts as a CPA to help other people in a variety of ways. His favorite thing about Original Design is the impact that is seen within the family unit. He also serves on the governing board of The Garnet Trust Foundation (The official Gamecock NIL Collective).
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Owner of Mac Gases | Original Design Board Member
Kevin was born in Columbia, then spent most of his young life in Atlanta and moved to Kingstree, SC as a teenager making SC his home. Back in Columbia in 1989, he started a distributorship in the compressed medical, beverage and balloon helium, industrial gas business. In 2002 he sold that business to German Linde. In 2006, he decided to start another medical/ industrial distributorship where he is currently the President and CEO of Mac Gases, Inc. He has more than three decades of experience in this industry. He is a long time Gamecock having graduated from the University of SC in 1983.
His favorite thing about Original Design is the opportunity to get to help young children have the chance to gain experiences in a faith-based environment in which they may not have had otherwise. He has been actively involved in Shandon United Methodist Church where he has served on various boards and currently is on the Board of Trustees and where he has been a member for the better part of thirty years. Kevin and his wife, Rami, live in Columbia and have three grown children.
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Associate at Maynard Nexsen | Original Design Board Member
Michael Scarnecchia is an attorney specializing in private markets and commercial real estate law with Maynard Nexsen, a nation-wide law firm. Michael brings a unique blend of discipline and perseverance to his practice, qualities honed during his time as a quarterback at the University of South Carolina. He holds a B.A. in Finance and a J.D., both cum laude, from the University of South Carolina. While in law school, Michael demonstrated his commitment to ethics and leadership as Chair of the Honor Council and as a Student Member of the John Belton O’Neall Inn of Court. Beyond his legal career, Michael is deeply committed to community service, actively supporting organizations like Harvest Hope and Home Works of America.
His interests extend to traveling, hiking, and staying informed on the latest trends in investing and politics. He resides in Columbia with his wife, Morgan. Michael is excited to serve Original Design’s board to enrich the lives of Columbia’s youth through faith based activities and mentorship.
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Pediatrician, Psychiatrist, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist | Original Design Board Member
Dr. Pete Loper, Jr. is a physician, educator, and executive coach dedicated to mental health and wellness advocacy. He is quadruple board certified in pediatrics, general psychiatry, child & adolescent psychiatry, and addiction medicine. He is the program director of the Tri-County Commission on Alcohol and Drug and Abuse Psychiatry Residency Program, and the medical director of the McCord Adolescent Addiction Treatment Facility in Orangeburg, SC. He is the founder and principal of Pursuit Executive Coaching, and he is an executive leadership coach at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Originally from Charlotte, NC, Pete attended Kenyon College prior to moving closer to home to complete his premedical coursework and Bachelor of Arts at the University of South Carolina (USC). He earned his Doctor of Medicine from the USC School of Medicine, and his Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a husband and the father of four wonderful children.
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Founder & Executive Director of Original Design | Original Design Board Member
A native of Greenville, SC and a former Gamecock quarterback, Jay is passionate about Jesus and the people around him knowing the love of God. Since ending his football career, he’s been able to use his platform to create a non-profit to support the children in Columbia, SC.
Original Design is the result and collaboration of Jay’s passions and dreams for helping give children opportunities to thrive in all aspects of life by using faith, athletics, life skills, and health education.
Jay, who excelled in the classroom throughout his time in Garnet and Black, graduated from the Arnold School of Public Health. He also graduated with a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at the University of South Carolina in May of 2023 while serving as a graduate assistant in the student-athlete development department.
2023 IMPACT REPORT
In 2023, 501 children were directly impacted, 16 children were a part of our year-long mentorship program, 634 volunteer hours were served, and it marked our 3rd year of impacting the lives of children in South Carolina. This would not have been possible without the investment of our donors, mentors, and volunteers. Take a look at our impact report to learn more about Original Design 2023 and the individuals who made it all possible!
