Helping and Lending Outreach Support (HALOS) is a Charleston-based organization formed in 1997 by Dr. Eve Spratt. The mission of HALOs is to provide resources and special opportunities to abused and neglected children and their caregivers through partnerships with faith-based and other community organizations.

For sponsorship details or to donate, visit www.halos.dojiggy.com. For more information about HALOS contact Elisa Mundis Strickler by calling (843) 953-3715, or visit www.charlestonhalos.org.

Join us on Daniel Island this Mother’s Day weekend on Saturday, May 12 for the 9th Annual Moms’ 5K Run, benefitting the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation for Postpartum Depression Awareness. This is the largest fundraiser for this foundation, with proceeds benefiting education, support and healing for women in the Lowcountry suffering from postpartum depression.

“This event is for all of the mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, girlfriends and husbands out there who have felt the sting of this illness. For the rest of the population, the Moms’ Run is a perfect opportunity to enjoy some family-friendly fun while supporting a very worthy cause,” says island resident Dr. Risa Mason, the Foundation’s executive director.

The event’s Family Fun Day takes place on May 12 from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm at Blackbaud Stadium. Complimentary food and beverages for race participants, music and games will provide hours of entertainment for the entire family. A $10 donation is appreciated from those not running in the race who wish to be part of Family Fun Day.

Packet Pickup and Race Day Registration starts at 6:30 am on Saturday, May 12. Registration will close at 7:45 am. The run kicks off promptly at 8:00 am from Blackbaud Stadium, and will be followed by the awards ceremony at 9:00 am. The course proceeds along Daniel Island Drive through Etiwan Park, and the finish line is located just outside Blackbaud Stadium.

On Friday, May 11 stop by TrySports in Mt. Pleasant from 4-8 pm for early packet pick up, and hear guest runner Holly Ortlund speak from 6-7 pm about Energy Gel Basics.

For more information about the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation, and details how to register to participate in the Moms’ 5K, visit ppdsupport.org.

Serena Williams signs autographs for fans on Daniel Island.

Happy fans attend the Tuesday night session.

The world’s top tennis stars are on Daniel Island this week for the Family Circle Cup, and the action is getting more intense by the day. Warm temperatures and an all-star lineup have helped draw record crowds for the 40th anniversary of this WTA Premier event.

Among the players who have moved on to the second round of the tournament are Nadia Petrova and Venus Williams, who returned to the WTA just a few weeks ago at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami after an injury last fall. The second round began Tuesday, with No.2 seed Sam Stosur, No.4 seed Vera Zvonareva and No. 5 seed Serena Williams among the winners. Stosur was the 2010 Family Circle Cup champion, and Zvonareva is a two-time runner-up here: She lost to Serena Williams in 2008 and to Stosur in 2010.

On Thursday, the folks from ESPN2 will begin their coverage of the tournament, which continues through Sunday, April 8.

But the tournament goes well beyond serving up great tennis. All week long, the Grand Lawn has been the central gathering spot, with an open bar and live music – a great place to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Family Circle Cup. And on Saturday, a very special event will commemorate the tournament’s 40th anniversary. “40 Love: A Night of Empowerment Celebrating 40 Years of the Family Circle Cup” will feature appearances by Billie Jean King and many other former Family Circle Cup Champions.

The Family Circle Cup is a great time to be out and about on Daniel Island. There are still tickets available – visit familycirclecup.com for details. And if you can’t make it, be sure to tune into ESPN2 this weekend to check out the action.

The Battery will host its home opener — and kick-off official celebrations of the team’s 20th anniversary – on Saturday, April 14 when they face the Richmond Kickers at Blackbaud Stadium. Look out for their special “retro ’93″ jerseys, and be sure to stay after the match for a celebratory fireworks display.

Single-game, group and season tickets are available for the 2012 season, starting at just $10. For more information and to purchase tickets visit charlestonbattery.com or call (843) 971-GOAL (4625).

The tents are up, the courts and grounds at the Family Circle Tennis Center are in prime condition and some of the world’s top tennis stars are making their way to Charleston’s island town for a week of competition. The Family Circle Cup, a WTA Premier Event, takes place March 31 – April 8 right here on Daniel Island. ESPN2 will broadcast coverage of the tournament starting on Thursday, April 5.

2011 FCC Champion Caroline Wozniacki

Among those scheduled to compete this year are Samantha Stosur, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Marion Bartoli, Sabine Lisicki and Jelena Jankovic. They’ll be competing for a $749,160 purse during the week-long event.

The Grand Lawn

But the tournament goes well beyond serving up great tennis. All week long, the Grand Lawn is the place to be, with an open bar and live music – a great place to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Family Circle Cup. And this year, a very special event is planned to commemorate the tournament’s 40th anniversary. “40 Love: A Night of Empowerment Celebrating 40 Years of the Family Circle Cup” takes place Saturday, April 7 and will feature appearances by Billie Jean King and many other former Family Circle Cup Champions.

The Family Circle Cup is a great time to be out and about on Daniel Island – come check out the action! Visit familycirclecup.com for ticket information.

When Bishop England relocated from downtown Charleston to Daniel Island 14 years ago, the school’s track program was among the many sports that surged following the move. With its own track (the school formerly shared many of its athletic facilities with the College of Charleston) and an entire island to explore, it launched the first “Daniel Island Cross Country 5K” fundraiser to support the growth of the Track and Cross Country teams.

Fourteen year later, the route is more “town” and less “country,” and like the island itself, the race has improved with age. Designed to accommodate everyone from highly competitive athletes to casual walkers, it’s a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the fabulous spring weather we’ve been experiencing here on Daniel Island.

The race starts at 9 am in front of Bishop England on Seven Farms Drive and follows a scenic route through Daniel Island’s picturesque neighborhoods, parks and trails before finishing back at the school. Kids under the age of 12 are invited to participate in a special “Kids’ Fun Run,” which will start immediately following the race. Cash and other prizes will be awarded to winners in all age groups, and all children participating in the Fun Run will receive medals.

Bishop England High School has played a significant role within our community over the years – please come out and support the Track and Cross Country teams by taking part in this great springtime event! For more information and to register, click here.

Some of the greatest names in women’s tennis will come to Daniel Island April 7 for a special celebration commemorating the tournament’s 40 years and the birth of the top professional sport for women.

In September 1970, the birth of women’s professional tennis was launched when nine female tennis players signed $1 contracts with World Tennis publications publisher Gladys Heldman to compete in what would become the Virginia Slims Series. The Original 9, as they were called, included Billie Jean King, Rosie Casals, Nancy Richey, Kerry Melville, Peaches Bartkowicz, Kristy Pigeon, Judy Dalton, Valerie Ziegenfuss and Julie Heldman. Competing in events like the Family Circle Cup, these women helped pave the way for tennis to become the number one professional sport for women.

On April 7, a special tribute to these women will take place at “40Love: A Night of Empowerment Celebrating 40 Years of the Family Circle Cup.” The evening will include a reunion of the Original 9, including Billie Jean King and first-ever Family Circle Cup Champion Rosie Casals. Honorary coaches Billie Jean King and Virginia Wade will lead a star-studded World Team Tennis-style exhibition with former Family Circle Cup champions Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Tracy Austin, Martina Hingis and Rennae Stubbs. Tennis legend Jimmy Connors and American standout Aaron Krickstein will also participate.

“This commemoration is designed to celebrate our 40th year in professional tennis, and honor the incredible women who made it all possible with their courage and steadfast determination for equality,” said Bob Moran, Tournament Director of the Family Circle Cup. “The Original 9 served as a catalyst for change in not only women’s tennis, but helped shift our country’s attitude toward equality as a whole. I truly believe that this is an evening that should be experienced by every generation from daughter to grandmother.”

The event will take place at Family Circle Tennis Stadium beginning promptly at 7:00 pm on Saturday, April 7th. Tickets are available starting at $20 at ticketmaster.com.

(Updated 2/29/12)

Soccer fans, head on out to Daniel Island! The Charleston Battery is in the midst of it’s pre-season schedule. Charleston’s professional soccer team will be playing a mix of college and professional teams throughout the remainder of pre-season as it sets its sights on the USL PRO opener on April 7 at the Richmond Kickers. The first home game, also against the Kickers, is scheduled for April 14.

Charleston Battery soccer is a terrific way to spend an evening with family and friends. Be sure not to miss the Fun Zone! Open 60 minutes before kick-off through the end of each home game, this interactive soccer theme park has activities for kids of all ages.

The remaining pre-season schedule is as follows:
March 3 vs. Chicago Fire 7:15 PM
March 7 at Coastal Carolina University 5pm
Mar 10 at Atlanta Silverbacks, 4pm
Mar 17 vs. Clemson University/College of Charleston, 2pm
Mar 24 vs. Wilmington Hammerheads, 4 PM
Mar 25 vs. Coastal Carolina, 2pm
Mar 29 at Carolina Railhawks TBD

Come check out the action at Blackbaud Stadium. Special group rates are available. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at charlestonbattery.com or by calling (843) 971-GOAL.

Calling all Family Circle Cup Tennis fans!  This is your chance to be an integral part of one of Charleston’s signature events.  The Family Circle Cup is currently accepting applications for 375 adult volunteer positions for the March 31 – April 8 event.  This year, the Family Circle Cup will be celebrating its 40th consecutive year, right here in the Best Tennis Town in America, Charleston, SC.

“Without the outstanding efforts from our volunteers, the Family Circle Cup wouldn’t be the world class event it is today,” Eleanor Adams, Family Circle Cup Tournament Manager, said. “They are the reason the fans have such a memorable experience at the event each year and we greatly appreciate their generosity and dedication.”

A good portion of the tournament’s pool of volunteers and temporary staff are island residents, who are proud to have this world-class event take place in their hometown and take pride in the fact that their contributions go a long way towards making the tournament a success. Last year was no exception.  Nancy Heinz, a long-time resident of Daniel Island’s Codner’s Ferry Park neighborhood, served as the Family Circle Cup’s Volunteer of the Year. To read her story, click here.

Adult volunteer opportunities this year involve 17 areas including Guest Services, Player Lounge, Transportation, Media Center, Information Technology, Ticket Office, Ushers, Food & Beverage, Adult Ball Crew and other areas.  The volunteer uniform fee is $60 and provides a week full of benefits.  For more information about adult volunteerism, direct inquires to Jo Cooper, Volunteer Coordinator at Jo.Cooper@familycirclecip.com or by leaving a message on the Family Circle Cup Volunteer Hotline at (843) 849-5309.  Applications are available on line at familycirclecup.com

Daniel Island’s Bishop England High School football team claimed their first state championship title recently by defeating Central High School to a record 10-0 shutout. It was the Bishop’s seventh shutout of the season and a testament to a strong defense that has proved to be indestructible all season.

It was the football program’s 400th victory since the school first fielded a team in 1944. It was also the football program’s first state championship, and the school’s 100th state title overall.

A huge congratulations to the Battling Bishops and their outstanding playing ability. Charleston’s Island Town could not be more proud!