Good morning, Charleston. Last week, we gave y’all a list of fundraisers + drives that benefited those in the community affected by COVID-19. While these are always great opportunities to help those in need, many of y’all wanted to know ways you can volunteer andphysically lend a helping hand to others in our community during this time.
Here is a list of volunteer opportunities around the Charleston area that will get you moving, helping + spreading love.
Lowcountry Food Bank ○ Volunteers will assist in packing food boxes for those in need. ○ Check here for sign-up schedules.
Blood donations ○ Recent cancelations in blood drives have resulted in 200,000 fewer donations in the U.S. than expected. ○ Blood donations at this time are approved by the FDA, and are desperately needed. (Wellness screenings before donations and extra precautionary measures are being taken to ensure health and safety) ○ You can donate blood through Red Cross or The Blood Connection.
Enough Pie’s “Community Buddy” program ○ Volunteers get paired with up to five elderly “buddies” from local nursing homes + assisted living facilities that they call to check up on several times a week. ○ This is a great opportunity to help these residents feel less isolated, and have a listening ear. ○ A Google spreadsheet allows volunteers to track things they pick up on during conversations that residents might need – from specific food requests to medical supplies – for the staff to deliver. ○ Apply here.
Charleston Area Senior Center’s “Adopt a Senior” program ○ Volunteers get paired with a home delivery food recipient and are responsible for checking up on them and ensuring they have what they need, which would include delivering meals to their porch, picking up items from the store, etc. ○ Email to get involved.
Katie’s Krops’ “Seeds of Change” program ○ Kids can email Katie’s Krops to have a packet of vegetable seeds be delivered to their homes. ○ Subject the email “Seeds of Change” + include a mailing address in the body. ○ Kids are encouraged to plant seeds + share their harvest with neighbors and those in need
Tricounty Family Ministries ○ Volunteers help pack + pass out supplies and food. See more opportunities here. ○ Hours are Mon., Wed., + Fri. from 10 a.m.-12:45 p.m. ○ Email for more information. ○ Sign uphere.
Trident United Way Teacher Thank-A-Thon ○ Trident United Wayis collecting cards to share with teachers to show appreciation for all of their hard work and dedication to students in the local community. ○ Cards can be completed electronically, and there is no limit to the number you can complete. ○ Fill out digital cards here, or email to receive a set of physical cards.
○DHEC reports there has been a total of 1,293 cases of coronavirus and 26 deaths in South Carolina, as of 5 p.m. Wednesday. Yesterday, officials announced 210 new cases + four more deaths related to coronavirus across the state.
○ Home Depot and Costco both announcednew regulations yesterday to help keep customers and employees safe and healthy. Costco is now limiting entrance to two people per membership card + Home Depot is limiting the number of shoppers in stores at any given time. Both chains are closing before 7 p.m. to allow for extra cleaning and restocking time. (WSPA)
○ CofC announced it will begin refunding students for charges related to on-campus housing, parking and meal plan fees.
○ DHEC is creating a COVID-19 databaseto provide EMS dispatchers with information relating to the people + places where they are called to respond. Details are limited right now about what the database will include. (WCSC)
○ The South Carolina Department of Education released several new directives this week on grading and coursework for the remainder of the school year. Students will receive numeric grades that are a combination of their third and fourth quarter grades. Districts will be able to decide individually if grades will be determined by evaluating participation, administering assessments, or a combination of both.High school seniors will still be eligible to graduate this year. (Greenville News)
○Boeing is temporarily donating three of its Dreamlifters – massive cargo planes that are ordinarily used to transport parts used to build 787 Dreamliners – to the federal government to help transport COVID-19 supplies. (Business Insider)
Hey, there. Looking for today’s #MustDo events? In accordance with the
CDC’s recommendations regarding public gatherings, we have decided to postpone public event coverage for the time being. We look forward to bringing you Charleston’s #MustDo events soon (until then, feel free to submit your virtual events
here).
Danny McBride’s kids didn’t know that, though, when their dad woke them up, told them to get ready for school, and drove them all the way to the building. All to say, “Sike,” and drive them back home.
While normally kids would be excited to not have class, the boredom is getting too real for kiddos – and the antics are getting too real for their parents.
Did you get away with any pranks yesterday? Share your funny April Fools’ stories with us by replying to this email.
#DYK that your photo could be featured in our newsletter? Just use #CHStoday on social media.
ForFamilies ○ Roper St. Francis and the Charleston County School District have launched Operation Kid Care,which provides daycare for up to 30 children of healthcare staff, free of charge. The 6:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. program at Memminger Elementary School (20 Beaufain St.) gives kids the opportunity to work on homework, spend time outside, + do crafts. Special measures are being taken to ensure the health of the staff and children with temperature checks, sanitation of equipment after every use, and limited interaction with large groups. (WCSC)
Closed ○ Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse recently announced the permanent closureofits 55 South Market St. location. A note on its website expressed gratitude for its staff and the support of the Charleston community for the past five years. (WCIV)
Art ○ You can now visit the Gibbes Museum of Art via Google Street Views, which allows you to virtually walk through all of the exhibits on display. For the full experience, “visitors” can pair the walk-through with audio from the Gibbes’ mobile app, which explains each piece on display. ○ You can now shop at the Gibbes Museum’s store online. The digital store showcases the creativity of regional artists + collaborates with artists on exclusive products like jewelry, gifts, art supplies and books. Each week, the site will feature a “Word of the Week,” which is a piece previously on display at the museum that can be purchased. Every purchase is tax-free + directly supports the museum. Browse products here.
Contest ○ Ghost Monkey Brewing is hosting aT-shirt design competition to give those taking a swing at crafts while stuck at home a fun challenge. Come up with your best design and submit it through email by midnight on April 14. Top three entries will be voted on via social media, and the winner will receive $50 cash + a $50 Ghost Monkey gift card.
Trending ○ Think you’re Bill Murray’s biggest fan? Take a shot at this quiz describing various roles he has played, which you have to match with the corresponding film + character name. Did you get 100%? Scroll to the bottom to find the answer key. (The Post and Courier)
VirtualEvent: ○ Join The Citadel for a virtual open house at 11 a.m. to learn more about the variety of graduate programs, and at 3 p.m. for undergraduate programs. Perfect for those interested in learning more about graduate programs or their college transfer program.Ⓟ
DealsOfTheDay ○ Already eaten all your quarantine snacks? The New Primal is offering 25% off your entire order when you use code CHStoday at checkout. Offer is one per customer and expires 5/31. Ⓟ ○ When you purchase organic wheat stem drinking straws from Holy City Straw Company, they will donate 50% of all sales to CHS food bank when you use promo code: Strawsforthecause at checkout. Offer expires 4/12. Ⓟ ○ Does your business have a special offer or promo you want to further promote?Canndid Media will turn it into a 15 second promo video for only $29. To take advantage of this offer, email them with the subject line CHStoday. Offer expires 4/30. Ⓟ
If you’re like us, one of your quarantine to-do list items is self-care.That also means hair care.And we just found out aboutHairstory’s New Wash product: a new alternative to traditional shampoo + conditioner.
DYK? When you wash your hair, the detergents in shampoo often strip all oils (good and bad), resulting in your scalp over-producing oil. New Washcleans without detergent, only removing excess oil, dirt + styling products – keeping your scalp healthy. Ⓟ
ICYMI: For the next two weeks, non-essential SC businesses are required to close. Read more about SC Governor Henry McMaster’s order + what businesses are affected here.
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