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 South Carolinians begin filling their 2011 individual income tax returns, a group of state leaders are reminding residents that tax season is a great time to help charities and causes. Sixteen charities are highlighted in the S.C. Contributions for Check-Offs form. Using S.C. Tax Form I-330, taxpayers can write in any amount they wish to donate next to the name of the group or groups. Enter the total donation on line 17 and then again on line 28 of S.C. Form 1040 of the individual income tax return.
Organizations participating in this program are:
- Endangered Wildlife Fund, administered by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
- Children’s Trust Fund, administered by the Children's Trust of South Carolina.
- ElderCare Trust Fund, administered by Lt. Governor's Office on Aging.
- S.C. Veteran's Trust Fund, administered by Office of Veterans Affairs.
- Donate Life South Carolina.
- S.C. First Steps to School Readiness Fund, administered by S.C. First Steps.
- War Between the States Heritage Trust Fund.
- S.C. Litter Control Enforcement Program, administered by PalmettoPride.
- S.C. Law Enforcement Assistance Program.
- K-12 Public Education Fund, administered by the S.C. Department of Education.
- S.C. State Park Contributions, administered by S.C. State Park Service.
- S.C. Military Family Relief Fund, administered by Military Family Relief Fund.
- S.C. Conservation Bank Trust Fund.
- S.C. Financial Literacy Trust Fund, administered by the S.C. Department of Education.
- S.C. State Forests Fund, administered by S.C. Forestry Commission.
- S.C. Department of Natural Resources Fund.
Comedian Aziz Ansari is performing in Charleston on Friday to benefit his alma mater, the S.C. Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics. That performance and additional performances at Theatre 99 are sold out. Born in Columbia and raised in Bennettsville, Ansari is a 2000 graduate of the Governor’s School. He went on to New York University, where he graduated in 2004 with a marketing degree. Ansari then shifted his career to become a comedian and actor. He is well known for his role as Tom Haverford on NBC’s Parks and Recreation. An accomplished stand-up comedian, Ansari was named “The Funniest Man Under 30” by Rolling Stone in 2011.
Carolina Girls, in conjunction with Y102.5, is launching an annual campaign to identify women in the Charleston community who exemplify what it means to be a true Carolina Girl.
“I’ve come to define a Carolina Girl as a woman comfortable in her own skin and willing to help others before herself,” said Stephanie Davis, Carolina Girls owner. “She creates positive change, gives back to her community and inspires others with her actions.”
To nominate a Carolina Girl, visit one of the stores three locations in Mount Pleasant, West Ashley or Kiawah Island/Seabrook or email info@shopcarolinagirls. A celebration in December will honor the 12 monthly winners. Each winning nominee will receive a prize package valued at $500 and a lifetime Carolina Girls membership of 10% off at all three stores.
Amy McEvoy, mother of five and co-founder of The Journey House, has been selected as January’s Carolina Girl. In 2010, McEvoy’s youngest child, Ansley, was diagnosed with Stage 3 Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. During Ansley’s treatments at MUSC, McEvoy watched displaced families drive hours to clinic visits and struggle with the cost of lodging. So on Nov. 15, 2011, she founded The Journey House to provide a home for families receiving treatments at MUSC. McEvoy, along with family, friends and a newly-appointed board, has a goal in 2012 to purchase the land where The Journey House will be located.
 Local restaurants are raising money for Pet Helpers by offering special menu items Feb. 9-11. (Image/Provided) |
Dance the night away on Feb. 14 when the Joe Clarke Big Band performs a Valentine’s Day Dance from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the School of Arts. Tickets are $5 at the door for students; $10 general admission. Proceeds benefit the School of Arts Piano Department. For more information, visit www.joeclarkebigband.com.
 Color Me Badd will perform a benefit concert Feb. 29 for the Charleston Parks Conservancy. (Photo/Provided) |
The Wando-Huger Community Development Corp. is hosting “Raising the Curtain: African-American Niche of the Tourism Industry” at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Keith School on Clements Ferry Road in Cainhoy. This conference is focused on the growth and development of the African-American niche of the tourism industry. Cost is $25 and includes lunch and a reception at Huger’s. Register at www.wandohugercdc.org. Speakers include S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Director Duane Parrish, Charleston Mayor Joe Riley as well as representatives from Charleston Local Development Corp., the city of North Charleston, Berkeley County, Minority Business Enterprise, SCORE, the Small Business Development Center and JC & Associates.
The Pantry Inc., one of the largest independently operated convenience store chains in the Southeastern United States, is teaming up with BP’s Fueling Communities program to donate $10,000 to the Charleston County School District. The donation provides $1,000 to 10 schools in the district: Burke Middle/High School, Burns Elementary School, Drayton Hall Elementary School, E.B. Ellington Elementary School, Mt. Zion Elementary School, North Charleston Elementary School, Stono Park Elementary School, Sullivan’s Island Elementary School, Wando High School and West Ashley High School.
Lucky’s Southern Grill on James Island is hosting a grand opening BBQ Bash at 6 p.m. Feb. 8. The event is free and open to the public, and $10 donations will be accepted for the Save Veronica efforts. The BBQ Bash will feature a complimentary buffet and drink specials, including $3 Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka cocktails, $2 domestic beer bottles and $20 bottles of wine. The regular menu also will be available. Jaykob Hendrik and Dave Landeo will perform live music beginning at 6 p.m. Save Veronica is an organization dedicated to fighting for the rights of a 2-year-old girl and her adoptive family who live on James Island.
S.C. Federal Credit Union announced its second annual scholarship competition, awarding a total of $7,500 to three students to use for their college education. First prize is $4,000, second is $2,500 and third is $1,000. The online application will be available through Young & Free South Carolina, an initiative of the credit union, at YoungFreeSC.com/scholarship. Applicants must submit an application, transcript, letter of recommendation and written or video-taped essay response. Students are encouraged to share their extracurricular activities and community service involvement through the application and essay. Students should apply by March 15 and winners will be announced by April 30.
 Girl Scouts and supporters from across South Carolina will take part in Bridging to the Next Century on March 10, a daylong event dedicated to celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouting. (Image/Provided) |
On Feb. 23, Girl Scouts from across South Carolina will gather at the Statehouse in Columbia to kick off the 100-year celebration. On March 10 in Charleston, Girl Scouts and supporters from across the state of South Carolina will take part in Bridging to the Next Century, a daylong event dedicated to celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouting. This event will feature walks across the Ravenel Bridge, walking into the next century of Girl Scouting, as well as fun activities throughout the day.
The Spoleto Festival USA auction has added an online component this year. Using online auction fundraising service Bidding for Good, the Spoleto online auction allows participants from around the world to bid on the festival’s collection of exclusive and one-of-a-kind auction items. Notable online items include grounds tickets to the sold-out 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course; a biscuit house brunch for 25 at Callie’s Biscuits historic headquarters with bluegrass and Fat & Juicy Bloody Marys; an artist proof box set by Shepard Fairey, creator of the famous Obama “Hope” poster; and a VIP Festival Finale weekend complete with performances, accommodations, transportation and dining. Online bidding continues through 8 p.m. Feb. 12.
The online auction complements a live auction on Friday at Memminger Auditorium that features a private concert by jazz vocalist Nicole Henry. Proceeds from both auctions benefit the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, the festival’s signature orchestra in residence. Tickets to Friday’s event are $150 per person; call 843-720-1114.
The Tides Hotel on Folly Beach and BLU Restaurant and Bar are teaming up with Save the Light for the annual Save the Light Half-Marathon and 5K walk/run on Saturday. The race raises funds for the stabilization and restoring process of the Morris Island Lighthouse. The run will kick off Friday night at BLU Restaurant and Bar with a pasta dinner special from 6-8 p.m. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday near the pier at Folly Beach. The half-marathon is a run-only event; the 5K is open to runners and walkers. Register at www.actioncarolina.com.
Yes