Helping Out highlights some of the many charitable events and activities going on in the Charleston area. Submissions should be sent to dailyjournal@scbiznews.com.

Cycle South Carolina, a six-day charity bike tour through the state that is set for June 13-18, has opened registration to the public.

All proceeds from the ride go to the United Methodist Relief Center, a nonprofit that rehabilitates homes of low-income families in rural South Carolina. Cycle South Carolina is returning in 2010 after a seven-year hiatus. This year’s tour is in memory of John Byran, the original organizer, who died earlier this year.

The cost for Cycle South Carolina is $295 per rider. Register before Dec. 13 and save $100 (cost will be $195).

The tour will begin and end in Mount Pleasant at the new Moultrie Middle School. Riders will bike to Moncks Corner, Sumter, Orangeburg and Walterboro, and then back to Charleston. Cyclists will ride approximately 70-75 miles a day, totaling almost 450 miles.

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Lowcountry Local First, Money With a Mission/First Affirmative Financial Network and the Unitarian Church of Charleston Social Justice Committee are sponsoring the 2009 Charleston Alternative Giving Fair, a way for people to give a gift during the holidays and help support a nonprofit.

The event will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Gage Hall, 4 Archdale St., Charleston.

At the fair, patrons make donations to causes in the names of relatives, friends or business associates, and cards noting the gifts will be made for the people named.

See a list of participating nonprofits.

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As a member of the Avondale Point community, Lowcountry Earth Force has been working with business owners on Avondale initiatives. One such project is Avondale Winterfest, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Highlights of the day include:

• Pancake breakfast at Triangle Char & Bar, 9 a.m. to noon. This event will raise additional funds for the Avondale Mural Initiative.
• Avondale shops will be open with special holiday sales.
• Carolers, a photo booth, Santa and a jump castle will be in the Triangle parking lot.
• Face painting, karate demonstrations and vendors giving out information and other goodies in the Gene’s Haufbrau parking lot.
• Music from the V Tones at 10 a.m.
• Mural unveiling at 12:30 p.m. Charleston Mayor Joe Riley and others will be in attendance.

To receive monthly e-mail updates from Lowcountry Earth Force, including upcoming volunteer opportunities, click here.

Volunteer opportunities:

• Avondale Winterfest – Saturday. Volunteers needed to help serve pancake breakfast.
• Holiday Appreciation Party – Dec. 15th at James Island County Park. Volunteers needed to help with food and setup.
• Tricounty Youth Service Day Committee – Help plan an environmental community service project that can be carried out on Tricounty Youth Service Day in the spring.
• Youth Environmental Summit Committee – Help plan the Youth Environmental Summit.
• Oyster Roast Committee – Earth Force will be hosting an oyster roast in the spring.

E-mail Valerie Kuehne for more information.

Community Action Board
In addition, Lowcountry Earth Force is recruiting volunteers to serve on a Community Action Board. Responsibilities include serving as an ambassador for Earth Force throughout the community, at events and other gatherings; and assisting with fundraising, communications and programming efforts. Anyone interested in joining should e-mail Executive Director Anna Richardson.

Internships
Lowcountry Earth Force is looking for college and-or graduate students to assist with the group’s mission, which is to engage youth as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future.

Duties include: 

• Assisting program manager with the 25 to 30 environmental service learning projects conducted at local schools.
• Maintaining and updating Web site.
• Maintaining database.
• Coordinating volunteer inquiries.
• Aiding in the planning and execution of Lowcountry Earth Force events.
• Other office duties as assigned

The unpaid position requires approximately 10 hours per week. For more information, e-mail Richardson.

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The third annual Buy Local Week, presented by Lowcountry Local First, runs through Sunday. Charleston residents are encouraged to support local businesses and buy local products when possible this week.

Local shopping, dining and cultural events are scheduled. See the full line-up of scheduled events.

“Eat Local Night” is from 6-10 tonight. Participating restaurant will donate 5% of proceeds from dinner tonight to Lowcountry Local First. Restaurants include: Blossom, Cypress, Fat Hen, FIG, Fish, Kaminsky’s, Liberty Tap Room and Grill, Magnolia’s, Monza, Pane e Vino, Pearlz, TBonz and Wild Olive.

The week closes with a Buy Local, Be Local Bash from 7 to 10 p.m. on Sunday at The Landing at Shem Creek. Local caterers and businesses will provide food and drinks.

Tickets for the event are $30 in advance and $35 at the door for members of Lowcountry Local First. For nonmembers, tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Buy tickets online or by calling 843-740-5444.