Do You Have an Idea to Make the Daniel Island Community Even Better?

Here’s your chance to make it happen. The Rotary Club of Daniel Island, along with the Daniel Island Community Fund and The Daniel Island News, are sponsoring a community improvement contest. Residents are invited to propose a project that would improve the quality of life on Daniel Island, producing a specific result that can be enjoyed by residents of Daniel Island. The person or group who proposes the winning project will be expected to execute the project to completion by December 31, 2012. The sponsors of the contest will provide up to $1000 to cover out-of-pocket expenses for each of two project categories:

A project that benefits the Daniel Island community at large
A project that benefits the children on Daniel Island

Daniel Island residents, families and organizations are eligible to apply. Only requests that strictly abide by the guidelines will be approved for submission. Requests that are deemed political, religious or aimed towards for-profit business purposes will not be considered.

If you would like to submit a proposal for consideration you must:

1. Have your idea meet the required criteria;
2. Be prepared to execute the project and recruit members or groups, as necessary, to make it happen;
3. Prepare a cost budget, not to exceed $1000 (sponsors will not provide overruns);
4. Complete a project application, which can be found at thedanielislandnews.com, dicommunity.org, danielislandrotary.com

Applications should be submitted to Sue Detar via email at sdetar@thedanielislandnews.com or in person at The Daniel Island News office (225 Seven Farms Drive, Unit 108) by Friday, May 18.

One winner for each category will be chosen and announced at the Rotary Duck Race on Daniel Island Saturday, June 2.

For more information about the Daniel Island community improvement contest visit www.thedanielislandnews.com.

Hit Us With Your Best Hundred Shots at the Hundred Holes for HALOS Golf Tournament

Lend your support Monday, May 14 at the 3^rd annual Hundred Holes for HALOS golf tournament at the Daniel Island Club, where individuals will play 100 holes marathon-style and teams of four will play a traditional 18-holes to raise funds for local abused and neglected children. The event takes place from 8 am until 5 pm, with the marathoners golfing all day long to attempt their 100 holes, and the foursomes starting their 18 holes at noon. Each team and marathoner must raise $1000 to participate. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, plus snacks and drinks throughout the day. A reception will be held for players after the tournament. Non-golfers are welcome to support the cause by purchasing tickets to attend the after-party .

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.

Daniel Island Kitchens & Gardens on Display

Back for its second year, the Daniel Island Kitchen & Garden Tour will take place on Saturday, April 28 from 2pm – 5pm. Sponsored by the Charleston County Medical Society Alliance (CCMSA), the event benefits area organizations that provide critical healthcare services to Lowcountry communities in need.

Smythe Park is the focus of the event this year, and four lovely homes in this island neighborhood will be open for tour. Each home will feature both a unique kitchen and garden. The featured designs and demonstrations at each location have been carefully planned and will offer food tastings, beautiful tablescapes and outdoor retreats. Participating sponsors include Et Cetera Gourmet, Laura Alberts Tasteful Options, Coastal Cupboard and Our Local Foods.

Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at Island Expressions, Laura Alberts Tasteful Options and Zinnia, or at any of the tour homes the day of the event. For more information about the Charleston County Medical Society Alliance visit www.ccmsalliance.org

Pork ‘n Pearls this Saturday!

It’s back!  The highly anticipated Pork n’ Pearls Pig & Oyster Roast will take place on Saturday from 3:00pm – 7:00pm at Pierce Park Pavilion. Grab your oyster knife and get ready to shuck plenty of fresh oysters.  Other offerings will include succulent roast pork, chicken and an array of savory sides. And be sure to wear your dancing shoes! The Shem Creek Boogie Band will be playing a variety of beach music, R&B as well as some good old rock and roll.  There will also be special entertainment for the kids.

Last year this event – one part “swank,” the other part “down home” – raised more than $18,000 for Windwood Farms, an organization that offers residential and outpatient programs designed to provide a happier and healthier life to severely abused children in the Lowcountry. Tickets cost $35 for adults and $10 for children ages 4-15. Kids 3 and under are free.  Don’t wait to buy your ticket at the event – this oyster shucking festival sells out fast! For tickets and event information, click here.

About Windwood Farm
Windwood Farm is a residential treatment center for boys ages 6-16 who require therapeutic intervention due to emotional or behavioral problems caused by abuse, neglect and/or family trauma. This year, Windwood Farm celebrates 27 years of service to the community and is expanding its program to include outpatient services to reach more children and families than ever before.

Daniel Island Christmas Tree Initiative A Success

Twenty local businesses, individuals and organizations donated their time and efforts this year by decorating holiday-themed Christmas Trees that were raffled during the Daniel Island Holiday Festival on December 3rd.  The beautiful trees raised $1,273 that the Daniel Island Community Fund then matched, bringing in a grand total of $2,546 benefiting the boys at Windwood Farm Home for Children.  However, the trees represented far more than just the spirit of Christmas. They brought awareness to a cause that affects more than 19,000 abused and neglected children annually in South Carolina.

“This initiative exceeded our expectations, not only from a financial perspective, but it was great to see how quickly people would get involved once they realized what the cause was,” said Kristin Power, Director of Development at Windwood Farm. “Once again The Daniel Island Property Owners Association, The Daniel Island Community Fund and all that represents this great community, came to the aide of our boys in a big way.  For that I cannot thank you all enough!”

The initiative will be back in 2012 so stay tuned for information next fall on how you can participate.  Also, mark your calendars for Saturday, February 25 when the Daniel Island POA office and Windwood Farm will partner together for the popular annual “Pork n’ Pearls” oyster roast.  More details to come!

Shop And Give Back At This Weekend’s Daniel Island Holiday Festival

The annual Daniel Island Holiday Festival takes place this Saturday, December 3, and this year planners are pulling out all the stops. In addition to the Festival’s popular showcase of more than 100 local vendors selling everything from handmade crafts and jewelry to unique gifts of all kinds, there will be an expanded offering of live music and entertainment for all ages. Santa will be making an appearance, there will be Cookie Decorating and Holiday Craft stations, face painting, jump castles and – brand new this year – an ice skating rink!

While you’re out enjoying the festivities, be sure to look out for the festive display of Christmas trees that are part of Daniel Island’s Christmas Tree Fundraiser for Windwood Farm Home for Children. A selection of island and area residents and businesses have gotten into the holiday spirit by decorating and donating 19 four ft. trees, each dedicated to one of the amazing boys that currently reside at Windwood Farm, an environment of help, hope and healing for at-risk youth and families who have been traumatized by the effects of severe abuse and neglect. For a $5 donation to this important Charleston non-profit organization, you can enter to win the tree of your choice!

From traditionally-decorated trees to creative themes like Candy Land, “Gone Fishing,” Dr. Seuss and Star Wars, you’re sure to find the perfect small tree to complement your holiday decor. Enter to win the tree(s) of your choice as many times as you like. The winners will be drawn and announced at 4 pm at the end of the Holiday Festival (you do not need to be present to win).

The Daniel Island Community Fund has agreed to match money raised by this initiative, so be sure to come out and support this important cause!

For further information about the Daniel Island Christmas Tree Fundraiser, click here.

Park Day Returns to Daniel Island This Weekend

Looking for something fun to do with family and friends this weekend? Look no further as Park Day, one of the Daniel Island’s most anticipated annual events, returns to the banks of the Wando River this Saturday, October 22 from 11 am – 5 pm. This is a fall festival not to be missed! If you’ve attended Park Day in the past, you know all about the wide offering of food, entertainment and fun for the entire family. But this “day of giving” also incorporates a significant mission to help generate funds and awareness for some of Charleston’s most important charitable organizations.

“Since its inception 11 years ago, Park Day has raised more than $250,000 for more than 50 local non-profits,” says Jimmy Bailey, Vice President of Community Services. “It’s a great opportunity to come out and enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities while giving back to the community.”

On tap this year are live musical performances, arts and crafts activities, a custom playhome raffle, sailing on the Wando River, garden clinics, an oyster roast, educational wildlife exhibitions, dog activities and more. Also returning is the popular Pie Baking contest presented by the Daniel Island News. The creator of the winning entry will receive $250 cash + $250 to donate to the charity of their choice.

All events take place on the banks of the Wando River in front of Daniel Island’s Sales and Information Center on River Landing Drive. Park Day admission and parking are free. Some events require a nominal fee in order to raise money for participating non-profit organizations. For complete details about the day’s lineup of events and activities, visit danielislandparkday.com

Daniel Island Paints The Town Pink!

Last weekend marked the 18th anniversary of the Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure, and the tenth year this popular event was held on Daniel Island. The race is the largest annual fundraising effort for the Komen Foundation’s Lowcountry affiliate. There was record-breaking participation this year, with 11,000 people registered. The affiliate is expected to reach its lofty fundraising goal by the end of October: $1 million to support breast cancer prevention, research and support programs.

In an effort to support the race and its mission, many Daniel Island businesses got into the spirit earlier this month by participating in the annual “Paint the Town Pink” window painting contest. Dozens of festive windows, combined with pink ribbons tied on the street trees along the race route and pink memorial banners lining Seven Farms Drive in the island’s downtown, set the scene for a very successful race day celebration.

The sunny, cool weather served as the perfect backdrop for the race and hundreds of breast cancer survivors were honored as racers dressed in their finest “pink.”  It was truly a special day for the race against breast cancer.

Rotary Club Hosts SIP of Daniel Island

The Rotary Club of Daniel Island will host the 2nd annual SIP of Daniel Island to benefit Water Missions International on Wednesday, April 6 from 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm. This is the perfect opportunity to “sip” and “sample” beverages and menu items from the island’s popular restaurants!   Ali Baba, Daniel Island Grille, Dragon Palace, Dublin Down, Et Cetera, Laura Alberts, Queen Anne’s Revenge, Sermet’s Courtyard, Vespa and Wasabi will be participating in this sociable, fundraising event.

Last year’s event raised $5,000 for Water Missions International, and this year the group’s goal is to sell 500 tickets, enough to raise $10,000 towards safe water systems.

Tickets can be pre-purchased for $20 by contacting Bob Wood at roberstwood@homesc.com or Bill Stevens at wes92142@yahoo.com.  Tickets will be available the day of the event for $25.  Tickets will also be available at the participating restaurants until 5:00 pm on Tuesday, April 5th.

About Water Missions International
Water Missions International is an engineering relief and development Christian nonprofit.  Its engineers, staff and volunteers design and provide sustainable, safe water solutions to disaster victims worldwide and people in 49 developing countries.  For more information go to www.watermissions.org

“Backhands & Birdies” at the Daniel Island Club

Whether you enjoy playing a round of golf or serving a few balls on the courts, you are invited to join Junior Achievement as non-profit organization hosts a unique fundraising event that will feature the best of both sports. The inaugural “Birdies and Backhands Classic” will take place at the Daniel Island Club on Friday, April 1st.  Junior Achievement’s annual golf tournament has been a success for more than 15 years, but this year it has expanded to include a round-robin doubles tennis tournament.

Sponsorship packages are still available and include gifts, lunch and tickets to the awards reception at the Park Club following play. Foursomes start at $1,600 and the tennis tournament is $80 per doubles team. Visit www.JACoastalSC.org for more information.

About Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement of Coastal South Carolina is a 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to inspiring and educating students on how to succeed in a global economy. With the Junior Achievement program curriculum, volunteers empower students with the knowledge they need to be productive workers, good citizens and informed consumers. Junior Achievement programs inspire students to be self-advocates willing to take a leadership role in their future economic success.

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