By Zach Forte

Following our recent successful journey to South Africa, where we delivered over 150 Love Quilts to the Khayelitsha township and iKethelo Children’s Village, we want to shine the spotlight on another one of our valued partners who plays a crucial role in making these endeavors possible. Springs Creative Products Group has been partnering with us since 2023 under the leadership of CEO Derick Close, whose family has owned and run this textile business since the 19th century. We sat down with Derick to ask him about the longstanding legacy of his family’s company and its significance for the people of South Carolina. We also discussed his reasons for choosing to partner with LQP and assist us in our mission to provide educational resources for children living in foster care.

With Springs Creative serving as a longstanding pillar of industry in the South Carolina community, it’s no surprise that Derick credits his generosity to his ancestors, Leroy Springs and Samuel Elliot White, who founded Springs Cotton Mills in Lancaster, South Carolina in 1887. These two men laid the foundation for the growth of these small towns. “They built the towns we live in,” stated Derick. “They always took care of their employees, from employee housing to benefits, to recreation, to schools. It’s been Springs’ legacy over 140 years to make our communities a great place to work, live, and play, and it continues to this day.”

Springs’ legacy and commitment to the area has now been immortalized through the 2100-acre Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, SC. This is a protected area where people can explore and enjoy the nature, views, and recreational opportunities that Derick’s family have been so passionate about providing for the people of South Carolina.

Derick Close, CEO and owner of Springs Creative Products Group, at the company’s manufacturing facility in Rock Hill, SC

When Derick and Springs Creative were first introduced to the Love Quilt Project, he immediately saw an opportunity to support our project, even in its early stages, and extend its reach to as many children as possible. Derick felt that the size of the impact was not the primary concern as long as he was addressing the major issues of poverty and lack of educational resources that many South African and American foster children face.

“We were sold on [this] project a couple of years ago and saw [that] our distribution and manufacturing capabilities could be part of an effort” to address the challenges of growing poverty and misfortune worldwide. It felt appropriate and opportunistic to team up with Gretchen [Ginnerty] and her team to make even a small difference in the lives of people who need help. We admired Gretchen’s effort and sensitivity to the growing problems of the world and thought the least we could do in our segment is to help provide resources in the textile area that is now truly global in scope.”

Both LQP and Springs Creative carry a strong commitment for giving back. Just as Derick’s family helped build many of the schools in their company’s location, he wants to extend this mission beyond state and national borders. Derick emphasizes that his ongoing support for education is rooted in assisting people in their own communities and contributing to the growth of his company. “As Springs became globalized, and our footprint became globalized, we see the disparities in the whole world coming more into our purview. We think the Love Quilt Project brought to our attention what one small effort could bring to fruition using South Carolina inputs, which in a small way has a global imprint.”

Recognizing the widening disparities worldwide, especially as Springs Creative expanded its reach internationally, Derick emphasizes the transformative potential of even small efforts and envisions a future where the philanthropic endeavors of LQP and Springs Creative not only uplift local communities but also transcend international borders. By fostering education and community support, we can contribute to a more interconnected world, demonstrating the power of compassion and collaboration in addressing global challenges.

Thanks to Derick and Springs Creative, we have expanded our Love Quilts production and started reaching American foster children, sending approximately 100 quilts to foster homes in Florida, with over 40 more ready to be sent to the Greenville area in South Carolina. As we continue to grow our initiatives, we are grateful for the ongoing partnership and dedication that Derick and Springs Creative bring to our shared vision of making a positive impact on communities and individuals across the world.

CONTINUING THEIR SUPPORT: AN INTERVIEW WITH SPRINGS CREATIVE CEO DERICK CLOSE