GOOD NEWS: Trident United Way to make $2.1 million in local grants

Trident United Way announced last week it would make $2.1 million in grants over three years in 33 programs delivered by 22 nonprofits in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties in its three core areas:  education, financial stability and health.

“While parts of our region are thriving, economic improvements over the last few years have not been experienced by our most vulnerable neighbors, and many areas of our region are still feeling the effects of the Great Recession,” said Chris Kerrigan, TUW president and chief executive officer. “These organizations and programs are aimed not just at providing momentary relief, but at creating lasting change to improve the lives of people and families across the region.”

Organizations that will receive funding include:

Berkeley Seniors, Inc.; Carolina Youth Development Center; Charleston County School District; Charleston Promise Neighborhood; Children in Crisis of Dorchester County; Communities in Schools of the Charleston Area, Inc.; Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center; Dorchester Seniors, Inc.; East Cooper Community Outreach; Family Services, Inc.; Florence Crittenton Programs of South Carolina; Habitat for Humanity Berkeley County; Helping Hands of Goose Creek; Lowcountry AIDS Services, Inc.; Lowcountry Food Bank, Inc.; Metanoia Community Development Corporation; One80 Place; Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services, Inc.; Palmetto Warrior Connection’ Reading Partners, Charleston; Tricounty Family Ministries; and Wings For Kids, Inc.

In other Good News:

Lowcountry poet P-Nut returns May 14:  Legendary Lowcountry poet Joseph “P-Nut” Johnson will return to the main branch of the Charleston County Public Library on Calhoun Street from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday for an afternoon of poetry and storytelling.  His books will be available to buy and he will be available to autograph them.

Rain barrel sale is now on:  Charleston County residents can purchase a 100 percent recycled rain barrel for $68 — less than half of the normal $149 price — as a part of the county government and Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium’s effort to encourage residents to conserve water and protect water quality.  You can purchase through the program’s website — http://www.rainbarrelprogram.org/ashleycooper — and pick up the barrel at the Lonnie Hamilton III Public Services Building (4045 Bridge View Road, North Charleston) from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. June 4.

Local efforts rewarded: More than 20 awards will be given by Community Pride, Inc. of Charleston County on May 13 when it holds its 50^th annual awards luncheon for outstanding improvements to improve the community.

“There is tremendous value in recognizing the individuals, clubs, businesses, and government or civic organizations that are dedicated to providing a cleaner more attractive environment for citizens and visitors to the area,” said Michael Pound, chairman of the Pride board of directors.

The award winners for 2016 are:

• Garden Clubs Awards:  Environmental Education Award 1^st Place – Berkeley Hills Garden Club; Environmental Education Award 2^nd Place – Flowertown Garden Club; Community Improvement Award 1^st Place – Town and Village Garden Club; Community Improvement Award 2^nd Place – Council of Garden Clubs of Greater Charleston
• Adopt-A-Highway Awards:  1^st Place – Boeing South Carolina; 2^nd  Place – Secession Camp #4 Sons of Confederate Veterans; 3^rd Place – Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church and Boy Scout Troop 20; Honorable Mention – Michelle Sinkler
• Johnnie Dodds Education Awards:  1^st  Place – Ashley Cook, Ashley Hall; 2^nd  Place – Brooke Haynie, Charleston Collegiate
• Captain Pride Awards:  CARTA Adopt-A-Stop Program, Charleston Abandoned Vessel Removal Project. Enough Pie, Lowcountry Greens, Moe’s Crosstown Tavern, Nancy G. Wood, Nancy Gilbert, S.C. Adopt-A-Beach Program, Seamon Whiteside & Green Heart Project, Veryl Sullivan
• Spirit of Cooperation:  Charleston Water Keeper and S.C. Department of Natural Resources
• Mamie Williams Award: James Island Pride
• Gene Ott Award:  Germaine Jenkins
• Barrett S. Lawrimore Award:  Virginia DeBose and Tri-County Master Gardeners.