Each year, the Exchange Club of Kiawah-Seabrook awards grants to organizations in the Lowcountry whose mission is to help the citizens of Johns and Wadmalaw Island. This year’s award ceremony, held Nov. 2 at the Seabrook Island Club, was a celebration of the great work being done by these organizations for the community. Recipient organizations are identified by Club member committees in five categories and organizations are vetted in detail, and in many cases Club members conduct on-site visits with the organizations prior to making the awards. It’s not unusual for the relationship between the organizations and Club members to extend beyond the grant, with Club members providing counsel and serving on the boards of various organizations. Since the program was launched, the Club has granted more than $2.5 million to organizations supporting Johns and Wadmalaw Island. Representatives from recipient organizations attended the event and were recognized for the significant contribution that they make to the quality of life on Johns and Wadmalaw Island. The Exchange Club of Kiawah-Seabrook is a service organization committed to community enrichment through the support and development of programs which focus upon the prevention of child abuse, youth development and education, Americanism, and community outreach.
The Club holds dinner meetings about every two weeks, providing an opportunity for fellowship and fun, along with a guest speaker discussing some aspects of life in the Lowcountry. Other activities include an annual holiday event and excursions to the Charleston Symphony throughout the year.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THIS YEAR’S AWARD RECIPIENTS FOR EACH CATEGORY:
Community Service/ Hunger and Mentoring
• Backpack Buddies
• Blessings Basket
• Meals on Wheels
• Sea Island Cares
• Sweetgrass Garden Co-op
• New Webster Food Pantry
• Fields to Families
• Hebron-Zion Food Pantry
• Hebron-Zion Senior Citizens
• AMOR Kitchen
• St. James Bethel AME Sunday Dinner
Health and Housing
• Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic
• Paraclete Foundation
• Habitat for Humanity
• Water Wellness Mission
Child Abuse/Prevention
• Dee Norton Advocacy Center
• Florence Crittenton Programs of SC
• Low Country Orphan Relief (LOR)
• HALOS
Youth and Education
• Angel Oak Elementary School
• Camp Happy Days
• Camp Hi Hopes
• Charleston Collegiate School
• Community and Schools
• CSO Education
• Edith Frierson Elementary School
• Haut Gap Middle School
• Mt. Zion Elementary School
• Youth of the Month
• High School Scholarships
Americanism
• Friends of the Fisher House
• Seabrook Island Veterans Day Golf Outing
If you are interested in learning more about us, please fill out a membership application form at ecks.memberclicks.net/ or contact Bob Leggett at rmlegg8@gmail.com
