PrintPrintThe Unitarian Church in Charleston has received a $200,000 grant from the Department of Interior, National Park Service through the Save America’s Treasures grant program, for the preservation and rehabilitation of its 160-year-old sanctuary.
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.
As part of their efforts to help nonprofit organizations build capacity to serve their communities, SCORE and the Office Depot Foundation have released a new edition of Business Planning Tools for Nonprofit Organizations.
This free workbook has been updated and expanded to include a new section: Volunteerism — A Valuable Strategic Asset.
Nonprofit executives and board members can pick up a free copy of the guide by visiting the local SCORE office. Or, get advice from an expert with Ask SCORE online counseling. The guide also can be downloaded from the Office Depot Foundation website.
The workbook offers expert guidance about how to start and grow a nonprofit. Focus topics include strategic and business planning, financial policy and funding sources, organizational options, and basic tools and resources.
The guidebook includes a description of the Office Depot Foundation’s Caring Connection online volunteer resource program, which encourages and enables people throughout the United States to find volunteer opportunities in their communities.
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Today is your last chance to register for the Healthy Charleston Challenge, the Medical University of South Carolina’s 12-week weight loss and activity competition.
The program begins Sept. 9 at the MUSC Wellness Center.
Register online or at the Wellness Center membership desk.
Past participants in the contest have lost more than four tons.
The program is designed to increase physical activity and provide skills, professional guidance and accountability for developing healthy lifestyle habits. The team of professionals includes experienced personal trainers, a registered dietitian, exercise physiologists and a program clinical psychologist.
Cost is $300 for nonmembers, $150 for members and $125 for students.
Participants should be 25 or more pounds overweight and in need of permanently changing lifestyle habits for decreased risk of chronic disease.
Any business or group wishing to sponsor a team or send participants to fill a team can contact Janis Newton via e-mail or at 843-792-4141.
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The Charleston RiverDogs have extended their paw print in the community through Major League Baseball’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program, known as RBI.
For the third year in a row, the RiverDogs have partnered with the local Boys and Girls Club of the Trident Area to establish the Charleston RBI program, putting together two Charleston Yankees teams, an age 13-15 squad and a 16-18 year-old team.
Charleston RBI is designed to:
Six players from the Junior Charleston Yankees Club have been selected to participate in the 2010 Perfect Game Showcase in Atlanta this weekend. Perfect Game USA’s mission is to further the development and career of talented high school baseball players.
They will participate in a baseball combine at the East Cobb Complex in Marietta, Ga., intended to showcase their talents for the scouts and college coaches in attendance.
Perfect Game USA alumni include former RiverDogs and major league players Carl Crawford, Elijah Dukes, Austin Jackson and BJ Upton.
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The Unitarian Church in Charleston has received a $200,000 grant from the Department of Interior, National Park Service through the Save America’s Treasures grant program, for the preservation and rehabilitation of its 160-year-old sanctuary.
Ninety-six grants totaling $20 million were awarded in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities and Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The Unitarian Church in Charleston was the only Save America’s Treasures grant awarded in South Carolina for 2009.
The Unitarian Church in Charleston is the second-oldest church house on the peninsula and the English Perpendicular Gothic Revival-style building is designated a National Historic Landmark.
The Unitarian Church will be able to complete the restoration of the interior of the church, including replastering and repainting the fan-vaulted ceiling in the nave and chancel.
For more information on this project, contact the Unitarian Church in Charleston at 843-723-4617 or see pictures of the restoration online.
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The Mortgage Lenders Association of Greater Charleston has recently adopted Lowcountry Orphan Relief as one of its charitable efforts. Association members participated in a bowling fundraiser May 20 at the Elks Lodge West Ashley.
Also, in addition to annual donations to the Pope Scholarship Fund at the state level, the association has given $1,000 scholarships to two students. The Wilma Adams Scholarships, which are awarded annually, were presented June 3 at North Charleston City Council Chambers.
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The Charleston Wine & Food Festival has announced that Lowcountry Local First will be the event’s signature charity this year. Festival supporters and guests raise money to directly benefit the organization.
Lowcountry Local First, a 501(c)(3) organization, works to strengthen community support for independent locally owned businesses and farmers. The festival’s 2011 charitable donation will be used to support the group’s Farm Fresh Food program.
The Farm Fresh Food program works to increase the number of locally based farms and farmers; provide greater access to land suitable for agricultural production; integrate locally grown foods into area schools and institutions; and enhance public awareness about the significance of supporting local famers.
The Ultimate Critics Dinner, to be held Sept. 1 at The Cottages on Charleston Harbor and the Ticket Launch & Benefit Party on Sept. 2 at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina will be fundraisers for the organization. Both have already sold out to the public.
The Charleston Wine & Food Festival is scheduled for March 3-6, 2011. The four-day event has been called one of the top five food and wine festivals in the U.S. by Forbes Traveler.
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We Are Family, a local organization that provides support services and leadership development for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youths ages 16-23, will be the beneficiary of a fundraising event featuring art, food and wine.
The event, co-sponsored by the Alliance For Full Acceptance, will take place from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 27 at Aster Hall Gallery, 481 King St.
The lineup will include the work of artist Sandy Logan and will include an art auction, hors d’oeuvres, a wine tasting by Barefoot Wineries, and designer cupcakes by Cupcake. Auction items will consist of paintings by local artists Jen Bennett, Sharen Mitchell, Jeffrey Hair, Ann Foley and Angela Hall.
Admission is $10 and includes drink specials at Dudley’s and Club Pantheon with the presentation of a wristband. All proceeds will go to We Are Family.
This fundraiser comes on the heels of the recent repeal of Prop 8 in California, a constitutional amendment which barred same-gender couples from the 1,138 rights and responsibilities associated with marriage.
Ordered tickets in advance by calling Aster Hall at 843-789-3580.
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Leadership Charleston is seeking 10 nonprofit partners for its Class of 2011 to work on projects throughout the 10-month program.
The group will work with Charleston-area nonprofit organizations that are members of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.
The Community Leadership Projects are designed to accomplish the following objectives:
The following are samples of the types of projects being considered; programs are not limited to these examples:
One team from last year’s class worked with the American Red Cross Carolina Lowcountry Chapter on the Ready When the Time Comes program. The team helped the Red Cross streamline the training program, shortening the training module from five hours to one hour. As a result, the Red Cross has secured more participation from area employers and trained more volunteers to participate in the program.
The team also became certified trainers, volunteered for the Haiti repatriation operation at Charleston Air Force Base and suggested targets for sponsorship of the program. Ultimately, the American Red Cross Carolina Lowcountry Chapter doubled its corporate partners, volunteers trained, and overall sponsorship dollars for the program.
Submit project proposals to Graham Drayton via e-mail by Aug. 30. For more information, call Drayton at 843-805-3034.
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Charleston Halos recently completed its back-to-school program for children under Department of Social Services care.
Through contributions from sponsors and partners, Halos outfitted 516 children with school uniforms and supplies. The group also helped outfit several students from the program who recently left for college.
The children will now begin the new school year with clothes and school supplies to help them learn and succeed. According to program coordinator Pam Brooks, “The best part is that they look (and feel) just like every other child in class with shiny new ‘stuff’ to call their own.”
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Through Sept. 30, Sticky Fingers restaurant is offering guests a free appetizer when they bring in an unopened ream of copy paper.
This is the second year Sticky Fingers has offered this promotion. According to the 2010 NSSEA Retail Market Awareness Study, teachers spent an average of $356 of their own money on supplies and resources including copy paper.
“The goal is to assist local teachers and schools who have been impacted by budget cuts,” said Robert Patterson, operating partner in Mount Pleasant. “Sticky Fingers is proud to support our local communities. This is a great way to help supply Charleston-area schools with the paper they need.”
Guests who bring a ream of unopened copy paper to Sticky Fingers will receive a free appetizer up to $7.99 in value with the purchase of an entree. Guests can designate their school of choice by writing the school’s name on the side label of the ream.
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