Amazing Race: UNITED for Change

In the Amazing Race: United for Change, teams of two race against the clock throughout Oconee County, solving clues and overcoming challenges. Once a team arrives at a stop, they receive an envelope containing the challenge for that stop. One member of the team (unless otherwise directed) must complete the challenge. The team then visits the volunteer tent located at the stop to get their next clue. They solve the clue for the next location, drive there, and another challenge awaits. The team that deciphers the clues and conquers all the challenges the quickest wins the $500 team prize! This is a rain-or-shine event. Watch a video on the Amazing Race: United for Change: https://youtube.com/shorts/6t-adZvi-FE. Click here for the 2026 rule manual.

Anyone 18 or older is eligible to participate in United Way of Oconee's Amazing Race: United for Change! You do not have to be an Oconee resident. Individuals who were previously or are currently affiliated with the event planning committee may not compete. At least one team member must have a valid driver's license, auto insurance, and transportation, as the race requires driving between stops. Only ONE team member needs to fill out the Stripe registration form. The registration fee includes your team's swag bags and T-shirts.

​Your team's investment in the Amazing Race: United for Change supports two United Way of Oconee programs: the Senior Nutrition Program and the Free Tax Assistance Program. These programs help our community as a whole, but have an especially large impact on Oconee's ALICE population. ALICE (short for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) represents households with incomes above the Federal Poverty Level but who still earn less than what it costs to make ends meet.

The Senior Nutrition Program is a partnership with SC DSS. According to the most recent ALICE data for Oconee, 40% of Oconee householders 65 and older fall below the ALICE threshold, indicating they do not have enough income to afford the basics (including food). At the Senior Nutrition Program's voucher distribution event, seniors residing in Oconee County can receive $50 produce vouchers to use at farmers' markets and roadside stands. Thanks to grants and proceeds from the Amazing Race: United for Change, United Way of Oconee provides additional tokens for seniors to use at The F.A.R.M. Center's Foothills Heritage Market. This program not only increases access to healthy food for seniors but also increases the revenue of local farmers. At our voucher distribution in June 2026, we served 500 seniors. In 2026, we also increased the amount in additional tokens from $10 given to 400 seniors to $20 given to all 500 seniors! Your team's investment helps us continue to operate and expand this program.

United Way of Oconee's Free Income Tax Assistance Program is a partnership with the IRS. It serves individuals and families making $65,000 or less. This includes many seniors and low-to-moderate-income families. By offering free tax preparation services, we help eliminate tax preparation fees and cash advances, keeping more money in taxpayers' homes and our communities. The most recent ALICE data shows 21% of Oconee households fall below the ALICE threshold and 18% fall below the Federal Poverty Level. The Free Income Tax Assistance Program removes the expense of tax preparation fees and helps these Oconee households obtain their refund. In the 2024 tax year, we served 379 individuals/families, producing $477,867 in refunds and saving taxpayers $75,800 in tax prep fees. Your support ensures we can continue to offer this service to our county and helps us expand the program to reach more households.

Want to see your business' logo displayed during this year's race?

Check out our sponsorship flyer for details on the different tiers:

Champions of Change ($2,500): https://buy.stripe.com/14k29h8khfhUcCYeUY

Ultimately United ($1,500): https://buy.stripe.com/9AQg070RP2v8dH2cMP

Amazing Advocates ($1,000): https://buy.stripe.com/8wMdRZdEB3zcfPa145

Swag Bags:

Please email jdurham@oconeeunitedway.org if you have items you'd like to donate for the teams' swag bags.