Non-Profit Briefs - July 26, 20018

CHARLESTON BASKET BRIGADE RECEIVES $7,000 GRANT FROM EXCHANGE CLUB OF CHARLESTON

The Charleston Basket Brigade (CBB), a nonprofit committed to bringing the community together to provide Thanksgiving meals to local families in need, has received a $7,000 grant from The Exchange Club of Charleston. One hundred percent of the donation will be used to provide families with food this Thanksgiving, stated a press release.

The Exchange Club of Charleston, a local chapter of The National Exchange Club, raises funds for Lowcountry charities, student scholarships and community needs each year via the Coastal Carolina Fair, an event that’s been providing family-friendly fun and entertainment since 1957. In 2017, 90 worthy organizations and students in the Lowcountry received more than $800,000 in support from the previous year’s Fair. This will be the CBB’s third year as a benefitting charity partner.

“The Exchange Club of Charleston supports so many crucial organizations that make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry citizens,” said Pam Hartley, CBB co-founder. “Each year they gift us with a generous increase, and we’re so grateful. So many dedicated volunteers work at the Coastal Carolina Fair each fall to make this donation possible. Heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you!”

Recently celebrating the organization’s 10th anniversary, the CBB’s efforts in 2017 raised $105,000 and fed 3,500 Charleston Tri-County families (approximately 21,000 people) with the help up of more than 300 volunteers. Since the organization’s inception, more than $745,000 has been raised, providing food to about 25,000 families.

Costing roughly $30 to feed a family of six, the generous donation given by The Exchange Club of Charleston will help to feed at least 230 families this Thanksgiving. Each family will receive a box of food to cook an entire Thanksgiving meal – a 10-12 lb. turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, fresh rolls, and a pumpkin pie. To learn more about donating or volunteering this Thanksgiving, please visit http://charlestonbasketbrigade.com/.

EMERGENCY BLOOD SHORTAGE: RED CROSS ISSUES URGENT CALL FOR BLOOD DONORS

An emergency blood shortage is prompting the American Red Cross to issue an urgent call for eligible donors of all blood types – especially type O – to give now and help save lives.

The Red Cross escalated its call for blood and platelet donors after a difficult Independence Day week for donations. More than 550 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups than during a typical week as individuals across the country celebrated the holiday and enjoyed summer activities, stated a press release. This could equate to as many as 15,000 fewer donations than needed.

“Each and every day, individuals across the country depend on blood and platelet donations for lifesaving treatments and emergency care, so it’s critical that people donate now to meet these needs,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “Whether you’ve never donated or give a couple of times a year, you’re needed to give as soon as possible to help save patient lives. Yours may be the donation a patient is counting on.”

The need is especially critical for type O blood donors, according to the release. Type O is the most in-demand blood type and often the first to be depleted from hospital shelves during a shortage. Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations. Type O positive is the most common blood type and can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

CITY OF CHARLESTON BUSINESS AND NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES TO PARTNER WITH ENVOLVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The City of Charleston Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) Division is partnering with Envolve Entrepreneurship (Envolve), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to provide various support services and resources for Charleston’s entrepreneurs.

Through this partnership, Envolve and BNS will host a series of workshops and webinars for start-up and early-stage businesses in Charleston in preparation for an upcoming business plan competition, hosted by Envolve. The competition’s winners will receive funding, mentorship, and a range of additional support services for their business. The competition is open to both budding and experienced entrepreneurs in Charleston, and the application is available via Envolve’s website, https://envolveglobal.org/.

Envolve CEO Christopher Upperman said, “The city of Charleston is heating up and becoming a hotspot in the south for start-up activity and a logical expansion city for Envolve. Our programming helps communities sustain growth by supporting entrepreneurs through business education, resources, and awards. We’re excited to partner with the city of Charleston Division of Business and Neighborhood Services to empower Charleston’s next generation of business leaders.”

“We are excited to partner with Envolve to provide resources and new opportunities to Charleston’s entrepreneurs,” added City of Charleston Business Services Manager Jordan Lanier. “Our city has great entrepreneurial spirit, which will be both highlighted and strengthened by Envolve’s competition and award.”

Envolve was created by the social responsibility division of international business, the Libra Group. It integrates the Libra Group’s former American Entrepreneurship and Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award programs, which have declared 35 winners since 2012, supporting job creation and economic growth in Greece and the USA. To learn more visit www.envolveglobal.org. For more information on the City of Charleston Business & Neighborhood Services Division, visit www.charleston-sc.gov/businessservices.