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.
Central Carolina Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization serving 11 counties in the Midlands, recently awarded grants totaling $55,000 to seven nonprofits from the Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation, including some with ties to the Charleston area. The foundation, which is administered by Central Carolina Community, was established in 2000 to create an endowment that benefits children of South Carolina through education and music programs. Locally, Louie’s Kids received $10,000 to treat childhood obesity by supporting and implementing a program to serve obese students at Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science in North Charleston. The program, Fit Club, is based on practice models from weight-loss experts.
East Cooper Meals on Wheels is hosting the 14th annual Outback Steakhouse Charity Golf Classic Sept. 18 at RiverTowne Country Club in Mount Pleasant. This 18-hole Captain’s Choice tournament supports the delivery of meals to homebound seniors in the East Cooper area. Registration is $250 per player or $1,200 for executive teams. Each participant will receive a performance golf shirt, lunch and dinner from Outback Steakhouse, as well as complimentary beverages and snacks on the course. To register, visit www.ecmow.org.
During their Fourth of July celebration, The Ponds of Summerville, residents and their guests donated $450 to benefit injured U.S. service members through the Wounded Warrior Project. This was the third year The Ponds Conservancy sponsored the event. More than 300 people participated in the day’s festivities, including the Firecracker 4K fun-run/walk, a picnic and fireworks.
The Ponds — a 1,950-acre master-planned community in Summerville — has set aside 1,100 acres for its conservancy, giving residents access to a vast nature preserve that will not be developed. At each conservancy event, funds are collected and donated to a nonprofit organization.
The Wounded Warrior Project seeks to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members.
Join the Center for Women and Skirt in celebrating a woman’s right to vote Aug. 26 at The Women’s Party: Eat. Drink. Vote. at Alhambra Hall in Mount Pleasant. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres and wine, music by The Local Honeys, a photo booth and door prizes. Attendees also can register to vote or update their existing voter registration on-site, as well as meet local women who are running for or hold elected office. This event is a fundraiser for the Women’s Leadership Institute — a Center for Women monthly program series. The party is 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, through Aug. 23, and $30 at the door if available.
As part of its Brown Bag Lunch Series, the Center for Women is hosting a Newcomers to Charleston event where women can connect, share information and find resources. Speakers are Jennifer Buddin of The Little Black Book for Every Busy Woman and Holly Roberson of Go Charleston Deals. The free event is at noon Thursday at the Center for Women, 129 Cannon St. in downtown Charleston. Registration is required; call 843-763-7333.
Aqua Angels, part of the Charleston Parks Conservancy’s Park Angels volunteer program, help maintain plant life in Charleston’s city parks. Volunteers donate at least 10 hours of time from May to October watering parks in downtown Charleston, West Ashley and Daniel Island.
Volunteers have flexibility to water at times convenient to their schedules and in parks close to home or work. No experience is needed. A member of the conservancy staff will meet with a volunteer to explain proper watering techniques. Anyone wanting to volunteer can sign up online via VolunteerSpot. For questions or more information, visit www.charlestonparksconservancy.org or call 843-619-PARK.
Moe's Southwest Grill has pledged to donate 20% of its sales from two locations from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 15 to the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry. The two participating locations are downtown Charleston at the corner of King and Calhoun streets and the Mount Pleasant location at 900 Houston Northcutt Blvd.
The night will also include face painting and other activities. Also, anyone who purchases a meal between 5-8 p.m. will receive a free family pass to visit the museum that evening or following week of Aug. 21-24 during regular business hours. The funds donated will be used to create more educational enhancements in museum exhibits and for safety and play improvements.
The Greater Charleston Empowerment Corp. will sponsor a Minority and Women Owned Business Workshop devoted to explaining construction opportunities that will be available during construction of the Midtown Project at King and Spring streets in Charleston. The workshop is 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday at 556 King St. Development team members Hardin Construction, Regent Partners and Clement Crawford and Thornhill along with Theron Snype of the city of Charleston’s MBWE office will be on hand to answer questions. The development team will discuss the various phases of the project, types of work to be performed and project timeline. Workshop registration is not required. Refreshments will be provided and free parking is available. For information, call Anthony Moore Sr. at 843-789-4690.
Chase After a Cure will present Strikeout Childhood Cancer Aug. 11 at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park as the Charleston River Dogs take on The Hagerstown Suns. Chase After a Cure is selling tickets via its website with proceeds benefiting childhood cancer research at MUSC Children's Hospital. Tickets are $8 each. Chase After a Cure was established in 2009 shortly after founder Whitney Ringler's son, Chase, was diagnosed with a childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma. Chase After a Cure was established due to the lack of awareness and funding available for childhood cancer research.
The Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic is hosting the sixth annual Lowcountry Wine & Beer Festival and Silent Auction at Freshfields Village Sept. 2. The event will feature wine, craft beer, a buffet and live music by Lilly B’. The event is 4-7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance; $40 at the gate. Tickets may be purchased at Indigo Books at Freshfields Village, Kiawah Town Hall, Seabrook Island Real Estate, the UPS store on Maybank Highway, Schoen Ace Hardware on Johns Island, Forsberg’s Wine and Spirits, Hyams Garden & Accent Store, Paul’s Hairstyling on James Island, or at Dr. Marta Hampton’s office in West Ashley.
Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic provides no-cost medical care, diagnostic laboratory testing, and specialty referrals when needed, to uninsured/underinsured adults living or working on Johns, Wadmalaw and James islands. For information about the festival, contact Lori Leary at 843-768-3151.
Rising High Cafe’s Hoagies and Heroes campaign has partnered with the Center for Women to bring Charleston the Power Up Panini for the month of August. The sandwich was created by Terry Haas, featured Realtor on HGTV’s Designed to Sell and local Charlestonian. Ten percent of proceeds from the sandwich will benefit the Center for Women, an organization focused on encouraging empowerment and personal and professional success for women in the Lowcountry.
The Power Up Panini ingredients include: chicken breast, avocado spread, tomato basil pesto, sprouts and Provolone cheese all grilled in Focaccia bread. The sandwich is $8 and includes a side item and fountain drink. Additionally, each purchase of the Power Up Panini includes automatic entry to win a free one-hour in-home design consultation from Haas. Each month a local charity will select a spokesperson to build a sandwich on their behalf with a portion of the proceeds going back to the organization. Future sandwiches for the campaign will be created on behalf of A Dog for Kate, Lowcountry Local First and more.
The Charleston County Public Library offers a number of free events this month for children and adults. Small-business programs include counseling opportunities, a program on how to reach your target audience and a program to find out if your business is at financial risk. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.ccpl.org.
Ashley Park, an independent senior community, is hosting events for area seniors. A two-day AARP Safe Driving Class is at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday. At 2 p.m. Aug. 15, there will be a Let’s Talk Seniors Seminar on “Health Care in the Home: What You Need to Know” with Bright Star. Ashley Park is located at 1451 Tobias Gadson Blvd. in Charleston. For more information or to RSVP, call 843-571-6075.
Charleston County Parks have partnered with MUSC to offer free skin cancer screenings. Dermatologists on the MUSC Mobile Health Unit — a fully equipped doctor’s office on wheels — will be at Splash Zone Waterpark at James Island County Park from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. No appointment is necessary. For more information, call MUSC Health Connection at 843-792-0878.
The city of North Charleston, in partnership with area churches and businesses, will hold its fifth annual school supply giveaway from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Charleston Area Convention Center. School-age children who attend can receive supplies for the school year. Supplies will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is organized by North Charleston Police Department's Community and Police Panel.
