KIAWAH ISLAND DIGEST | 3
Members Raise Over $100,000
for Local Humanitarian Efforts
The Kiawah Cares Foundation’s first annual Humanitarian
Aid Fundraising Campaign generated just over $100,000
in donations to fund a variety of powerful programs
addressing hunger, housing and wellness for the young
and old in 2019.
“We know our Kiawah community members
are eager to support humanitarian efforts, but
we were absolutely blown away by the immense
generosity that this campaign generated.”
COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
Cares is committed to supporting their future expansion,
and will fund the replacement of equipment that was
recently stolen.
The Community Home Improvement Project (CHIP)
coordinates critical home repairs for Sea Island residents
in need. Kiawah Cares will provide funding for CHIP
to purchase materials for repairs. Often homes have
been damaged by storms, or age has created significant
livability issues.
This campaign was a comprehensive effort to address a
wide range of needs on neighboring Johns and Wadmalaw
islands. “We have relationships with local nonprofit
partners who we trust and who are exceptionally worthy
beneficiaries,” said Kiawah Cares’ Holly Newman. “We
know our Kiawah community members are eager to
support humanitarian efforts, but we were absolutely
blown away by the immense generosity that this campaign
generated. We are so proud of our community and the
positive local impact we will be able to make in 2019!”
The goal was to raise $60,000 in six weeks to fund a set
of foundational Sea Island humanitarian efforts, as well
as provide resources to mobilize quickly when worthy
needs require immediate support. “Donations came in
so rapidly in the last week of December, that we didn’t
realize how dramatically this campaign would surpass our
goal,” exclaimed Newman.
When the campaign concluded, donations amounted to a
total of $104,000. Kiawah Cares will be able to continue
funding programs like Meals on Wheels (reducing
hunger and supporting seniors), the Community Home
Improvement Project (providing home repair to those in
need), Made with Love (bringing comfort to veterans,
students and seniors), the Barrier Islands Little League
and Going Places (promoting recreational opportunities
for youth). The foundation is also well positioned to
support new urgent needs and emerging initiatives.
Going Places’ mission is to provide disadvantaged kids
with their most basic childhood right - the right to joy.
Kiawah Cares has the exciting opportunity to fund a
donation of 135 bicycles to be given to every student at
Frierson Elementary School on Wadmalaw Island. This
massive surprise giveaway is slated for May.
Kiawah Cares helps fund daily meals for seniors through
Meals on Wheels. Meals on Wheels currently serves daily
meals to 38 seniors on the Sea Islands and the number is
climbing.
Finally, Kiawah Cares will continue to support a special
group of local crafters, known as Made with Love. This
group works tirelessly making hundreds of handmade
goods that provide comfort to students, teachers, families,
and pet rescues.
For Barrier Islands Little League, Kiawah Cares will
sponsor two teams, the Kiawah Bobcats. This sponsorship Learn more about Kiawah Cares’ impact and programs at
will give 16 children the chance to participate. Kiawah kiawahcares.org.