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.
The second annual Lowcountry Field Feast takes place Nov. 14 at Rosebank Farms, 4455 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island. Described as a true farm-to-table experience, the event honors local produce, seafood and ambience.
Proceeds will benefit Lowcountry Local First’s Farm Fresh Food, a sustainable agriculture program that aims to increase the access and availability of local and sustainable food products for Charleston chefs, grocers, and consumers.
Between 3 and 8 p.m. guests will sample local fare pulled from the gardens of the farm and the waters surrounding it. James Beard Award winner Mike Lata of Fig restaurant will prepare the dishes.
The festivities take place by Haulover Creek in the backyard of Rosebank Farms, Sidi Limehouse and Louise Bennett. Tickets are $125, and seating is limited. To purchase, go online or call 843-853-9120.
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Parents Anonymous of South Carolina has been award a grant by the Children’s Trust of South Carolina for its child abuse prevention strategies targeting several audiences statewide:
- New parents
- Low-income parents
- Pregnant and parenting teens
- Fathers
- Grandparents
The Children’s Trust is the designated agency for disbursing funding from the Department of Health and Human Services’ community-based child abuse prevention initiative. The award will be used to further the North Charleston-based organization’s Pathways to Strong Families initiative in Jasper and Beaufort counties, which works to minimize the risk factors that lead to child abuse and neglect.
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During the first week of November, Piggly Wiggly will donate $1 to the Charleston Basket Brigade for every Facebook user who “likes” its company’s fan page, for a total donation of up to $1,500.
The campaign is part of a community initiative to feed 1,300 Charleston families on Thanksgiving Day. Other partners in the movement, headed by Basket Brigade founders Michelle Scarafile and Pam Hartley, include Carolina One Real Estate, Communities in Schools and Momentum Marketing.
The total fundraising goal is $39,000, which would provide the necessary $30 for each of the full meals. Individual and corporate donations are tax-exempt and can be made online. 100% of donations go toward the purchase of food.
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The Verizon Wireless Call Center and the College of Charleston have partnered to work toward prevention of dating violence and domestic violence. The college launched its Red Flag Campaign Oct. 18, placing 200 miniature red flags at various high-traffic areas around the campus.
Verizon also brought its HopeLine phone drive to campus Monday, giving students a way to support victims and local domestic violence organizations by donating no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories. Through Nov. 30, any student who donates a cell phone will be entered to win one of two $50 gift cards. Drop-off can be done between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. the Office of Victim Services, at 67 George St.
Campaign events this week include a dinner theater, which features a screening of a movie with domestic/dating violence, followed by a discussion. That takes place at 8 tonight at Berry Hall.
Verizon and the National Network to End Domestic Violence have partnered in a text-to-donate program, through which Verizon customers can make a $10 donation to the anti-violence network by texting “HOPE” to 41010. Verizon will waive text fees and apply the donation the customers’ next monthly bill. HopeLine from Verizon will match donations up to $50,000
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Blackbaud fundraising software The Raiser’s Edge has been given its third user satisfaction award.
The 2010 Donor and Member Management Solution Software Survey, conducted by the independent nonprofit marketing research firm Campbell Rinker, gathers information on user satisfaction, pricing preferences, purchasing habits and organizational scope.
The Raiser’s Edge is used by more than 13,000 nonprofits around the world and enables the organizations to communicate with constituents, manage activities and make decisions basked on market segmentation and analysis.
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The city of Charleston Employee Health Fair is taking place today at the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium. City employees and spouses will be provided with complimentary access to physician consultations and health services and activities.
The city has partnered with the Medical University of South Carolina, Roper St. Francis HealthCare, Palmetto Primary Care and the Trident Sleep Lab to provide employees with access to a variety of services, including bone density screenings, cancer risk assessments, lung testing, diabetes care and treatment for sleep apnea and disturbances.
Employees will also have the opportunity to enjoy activities and demonstrations promoting health and wellness.
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Coastal Community Foundation’s Neighborhoods Energized to Win fund recently awarded $34,197 to 15 neighborhood groups in Charleston and Colleton counties. Projects awarded include community beautification programs, after-school tutoring and senior center activities.
As part of the grant, two representatives from each organization must attend four courses at the N.E.W. Fund Development Leadership Institute, a four-part series held once each month from June to September to teach leaders strategies for improving their communities.
The 2010 program has been supported by the following grants and endowments managed by Coastal Community Foundation:
- N.E.W. Fund Endowment
- Zucker Family Endowment for N.E.W.
- Rural Endowment
- Rhodia Endowment
- City of North Charleston
- Bakker Family Fund
- Annual gifts from donors
The following organizations received grants:
Alfred Williams Community Life Center
To provide an opportunity for the community to engage in sports, fitness and physical activities by sponsoring indoor/outdoor athletic sports and exercise programs, the community center will use funds to help facilitate an Exercise-to-Live Project.
Cannonborough-Elliotborough Neighborhood Association
All funding will be used to help provide the downtown neighborhood with a thriving garden called the “Bogarden,” complete with benches, tables, educational signage, pet waste bags and trashcans. Workshops will be held to educate the community on the importance of the project and ways it can be replicated in other areas of Charleston.
Concerned Citizens of Sol Legare Foundation
Funding will go toward the restoration of the Seahorse Farmer’s Lodge. The lodge will be transformed into a learning center for all ages and will be located in the heart of the community around Folly Road. When finished, exhibits will educate the public about the coastal African-American’s role in America during and after the Civil War. There is a large-scale re-enactment scheduled for April to commemorate the 54th Massachusetts’ first engagement.
Dream Center North Charleston
Funding will support the center’s efforts to help operate the Adopt-a-Block program in the North Charleston, Remount Road area with an average block including 40-50 homes. The program works through teams that go out and develop relationships with communities and its leaders on a monthly basis, to help meet the physical needs of the community.
Lincoln School Advisory Board
Funding will help support a summer camp that provides educational enrichment and literacy development for children between the ages of 3 and 14. There will also be an after-school program that will aim to use the funds to give 50 children each $50 scholarships.
Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities
Funding will support a two-day Transportation Career Fair at the Accabee Community Center for Mary Ford Elementary, Morningside Middle and North Charleston High School students, along with residents of the alliance community. The career fair aims to expose students, residents and business owners to careers and vendor opportunities available in close proximity to their neighborhoods.
Maryville/Ashleyville Neighborhood Association
The association will use the funding to support the efforts of installing improvements that include three new neighborhood signs and landscaping under those signs and around other community areas.
The New Rosemont Homeowners Association
Funding will support the operation of a summer camp. The camp will take place in the summer and will provide enrichment opportunities as well as arts and crafts for children in the community. Computers will be made available for all residents to use. The association also hopes to use the money to help fund the Clemson Extension Program for all residents 18 and older.
Phillips Community Association
Funding will support the Adopt-A-Highway project and the Phillips community garden project. Funding will help secure school supplies, T-shirts and a storage container for supplies. The community has participated in the Adopt-A-Highway program since 1999 and won the award for best community in the program in 2005 and 2009.
Rosemount Community Senior Citizens
Funding will support the Rosemount Senior Citizens’ annual Black and White Ball and the Wii Fit exercise programs that will improve seniors’ coordination, motor skills and physical well-being.
Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival Association
Funding will support the costs associated with the marketing and promotional efforts for the 2010 Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival. This will include expanding the organization’s outreach to attract and increase the number of cultural tours and visitors.
Town of Hollywood/Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Funding will support the Neighbors Helping Neighbors initiative and provide a summer educational and leadership camp for children and youth ages 7-12. Approximately 90% of these youth are residents of Hollywood Manor, which is low-income housing.
Whipper Barony Neighborhood Council
Funding will go to support the Joy program, which serves individuals 55 and older in the community. Funds will allow the organization to purchase grants, which will greatly improve the program and help support community fellowship.
Wiltown Improvement Organization
Funding will support a six week (June–July) summer enrichment program for youth that provides educational and recreational activities, as well as nutritious meals. The grant will also go toward providing senior citizens with transportation so they can interact with other seniors, interact with campers and enjoy healthful meals.
Jacksonboro Community Center
Center funding will go to support educational programs that prepare students in the Jacksonboro area for a better tomorrow with the goals of increasing grades, decreasing the dropout rate in the community and preventing the attraction of gangs.
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Charleston Moves’ inaugural Ride the Route group bike ride takes place Saturday at 10 a.m. The 24-mile ride stretches from either Folly Beach or the Isle of Palms to the tip of the Charleston peninsula.
Folly Beach starters will take off from Folly River Park, while cyclists starting from the Isle of Palms will meet at 45th Avenue. The race will end at White Point Gardens at the corner of East Battery and Murray Boulevard.
Participants can attend the after-party from 1-3 p.m. at the Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, 19 Vendue Range, courtesy of New Belgium Brewery. Charleston Moves’ inaugural Rent the Route fundraiser will be recognized, and live music will be provided by Corey Webb and friends.
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On Monday, the volunteer organization Share Our Suzy presented a $20,000 check to the Roper St. Francis Cancer Center in the first installment of a $200,000, five-year donation.
The award was given in memory of Suzy McGrane, an S.C. photographer who raised money for breast cancer patients, even after being diagnosed with the disease herself. McGrane died in 2005.
The donation will support Roper’s Breast Health Navigator Program and additional programs to support its breast cancer patients, so that recovery, not financial obligations are the concern during treatment. A plaque honoring McGrane will be placed at the front of the Breast Cancer Center at Roper Hospital.
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More than 100 Alcoa employees from the company’s Mt. Holly plant volunteered in their communities as part of the company’s fifth annual Worldwide Month of Service. Thirty-five Alcoa employees and retirees participated in the Trident United Way Day of Caring project, helping beautify Westview Primary, Elementary and Middle schools in Goose Creek.
Employees helped in the setup of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, donated more than 40 units of blood to the American Red Cross and volunteered at Cypress Gardens’ Halloween in the Swamp.
As part of the program, several organizations were given Alcoans Coming Together in Our Neighborhood grants: Westview Primary School and the Charleston Green Fair each will receive $3,000, and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and Santee Circle Park will receive $1,500.
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On Nov. 6, “Movember” kicks off at Madra Rua Irish Pub in North Charleston.
Movember encourages men to start November clean-shaven and grow a mustache (known as a “Mo”) for the remainder of the month, seeking donations in the process.
Donations will benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LiveStrong to raise awareness about men’s health. The Charleston Gentlemen of Leisure, a group that raised $500 for the Movember Foundation last year, is hosting the party and seeking new members to participate in the fundraising.
The group has partnered with Madra Rua and Sweetwater Brewing Co. and the pub will donate 50 cents of each pint sold to the Movember team. Madra Rua will also sell paper mustaches for $1 each, to post on the walls of the pub with donors’ names. To celebrate a month of fundraising, an end-of-Movember party will be held Dec. 4 at Madra Rua.
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