Recognized as a nonprofit in 1993, the Charitable Society of Charleston is a 100 percent volunteer-run organization created to support the philanthropic needs of Charleston’s community. With special attention to nonprofits serving children, elderly and the disabled, the organization has granted more than $1 million to nonprofits promoting overall community wellness.
Every month, a team of members participates in volunteer projects:
The “pizza and games crew” hits the Windwood Farm Home for Children and Family Services in Awendaw, SC on the first Tuesday of the month. A treatment facility for abused and neglected boys, this organization welcomes volunteers for the raucous good time that generally accompanies pizza party and board game nights with familiar volunteer faces.
On the second Wednesday of the month, volunteers head over to One80 Place in downtown Charleston, the organization’s facility which specifically houses women and children. Hangout time and game night with kids at One80 place is fun for everyone involved and gives mothers an opportunity to invest in the skills and resources they need to move beyond homelessness.
Third Thursday of the month means monthly Happy Hour (recent venues include Royal American and Taco Boy) and a night of assembling comfort and care packages for East Cooper Meals on Wheels. Soap, shampoo, washcloths and crossword puzzles make a big difference for Charleston area elderly neighbors and adults with disabilities.
The fourth Tuesday of the month is Bingo Night with Sweetgrass Village Senior Living residents in Mount Pleasant. Volunteers are in charge of calling out numbers, teaming up with fellow table members and handing out the variety of prizes which CSC provides each month.
Special events with this organization include the Reindeer Run to benefit MUSC Children’s Hospital, as well as an annual Oyster Roast held in the Charleston Visitor Center Bus Shed. According to 2011-2016 Board President Cristen Jones, the Reindeer Run has raised nearly $600,000 for MUSC Children’s Hospital, now under construction. Recent beneficiaries of the Oyster Roast include the Green Heart Project, WINGS for Kids and Louie’s Kids. A small portion of proceeds raised for each event is also contributed to Charitable Society of Charleston’s Endowment with Coastal Community Foundation, which has granted funding to nineteen nonprofit organizations in need since 2007. Kudos to CSC for their Grants Committee selection process: this 100% volunteer-run organization selects a Grants Committee based on members with the most volunteer hours.
With guidance from Coastal Community Foundation’s team of engaged leaders, this organization surprised nonprofits Operation Home and Carolina Studios Corporation with grants for general operating funds in 2016. Operation Home increases safety and accessibility through the coordination of critical home repairs for residents of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester County. They have completed more than $1 Million worth of repairs free-of-charge for low-income residents since 1999. Grantee Carolina Studios Corporation teaches students how to create, arrange and record music through a software program that also teaches valuable computer skills. Their two locations, one at 22 Mary Street in downtown Charleston, and another Mobile Studio mean increased access for the student population of Charleston County.
If CSC volunteers are not working one day a week with Windwood Family Farm students, with families at One80 Place, packing up care packages for East Cooper Meals on Wheels or playing Bingo with Sweetgrass Village residents in Mount Pleasant, they can be found planting seeds with the Green Heart Project and elsewhere in the Charleston community.
To learn more or get involved, please visit www.charitablesocietyofcharleston.org.
