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.
Crisis Ministries has acquired Summerville’s homeless shelter, Palmetto House, and will provide guests with access to previously unavailable services like legal and employment assistance. The acquisition formalizes a long-standing relationship between the two organizations. Crisis Ministries took over management of the shelter in 2010 to help ease a transition in its leadership. Palmetto House was closed temporarily to allow for an overhaul of systems and structure, and reopened in May 2011.
Crisis Ministries’ success bringing the shelter in line with modern management philosophies led its board to acquire Palmetto House. Community partners such as the Summerville Family YMCA and Moms Clinic are providing additional services to residents. Palmetto House opened in 1989 as temporary housing after Hurricane Hugo. Today, it serves up to 20 women and children each night in Summerville and Dorchester County, providing meals, shelter and case management at 107 Elks Lodge Lane.
WINGS for kids, an afterschool program teaching social emotional learning techniques to at-risk youth, is hosting a parenting seminar from 10-11 a.m. July 9 at the Charleston County Public Library, 68 Calhoun St. The event is targeted at parents to help them deal with miscommunication and power struggles in their households during the summer time, but can also apply to educators. The seminar will focus on various social and emotional learning tips and techniques that are used at WINGS for kids programs.
 Pictured, from left, are John Harrell, peanut farmer and National Peanut Board secretary; Deena and Bob Coyle of the National Peanut Board; Stacey Denaux, CEO of Crisis Ministries; Raffaela Marie Fenn, National Peanut Board president and managing director; and Mark Fenn, National Peanut Board volunteer. (Photo/Provided) |
The National Peanut Board presented Crisis Ministries with a $5,000 cash donation and peanut products for the soup kitchen on June 19. This donation is part of the “PB 4 Breakfast” campaign, which encourages peanut butter lovers to share their favorite morning recipe on Facebook. The public can visit www.PB4Breakfast.com and vote for their favorite recipe. For each vote, the National Peanut Board will donate $5 toward organizations that feed the hungry.
 Chef Jason Ulak |
RiverTowne Country Club donated 300 meals to East Cooper Meals on Wheels on June 20 as part of Charleston Chefs Feed the Need. Chef Jason Ulak prepared meatloaf, peas and carrots, and corn for the homebound recipients.
Cane Bay Plantation is hosting a family friendly event, Independence at Cane Bay, while promoting the work of Water Missions International, which provides clean and safe water for third-world nations across the globe. The event is 5-10 p.m. July 4. Activities include arts and crafts, food, entertainment, a Slip ’n Slide and fireworks.
The fourth annual Low Country Jazz Festival has expanded to three days and features a slate of top contemporary instrumentalists of all types, including vocalist Al Jarreau, pianist Brian Culbertson, saxophonist David Sanborn, saxmen Gerald Albright and Ronnie Laws, pianist Alex Bugnon, guitarists Norman Brown and Matt Marshak and local favorite, trumpeter Charlton Singleton, conductor of the Charleston Jazz Orchestra. The festival — Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 — raises money for Closing The Gap In Healthcare Inc., which aims to decrease health disparities by providing information to underserved populations.
