Charleston Daily

Charleston Daily is a concept in community. Its mission is to promote, assist, and celebrate in everything Charleston, South Carolina. By partnering with businesses, community leaders, volunteers and events, we are spreading the love that is Charleston. As this city continues to grow and prosper, we want to help spread the message to all about how wonderful this community is. Charleston is about the people, community, water, land, history, heritage and the true southern warmth it brings with each and every day.

Lowcountry

Benefitfocus Launches Benefitplace.com Providing Lower Cost Health & Benefit Options for Displaced American Workers

April 22, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Platform offers essential benefit alternatives for people in a time of transition

Charleston, S.C. – April 22, 2020 – Benefitfocus, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNFT), a technology platform provider enabling rapid innovation for employers, health plans and consumers, has activated the next phase of its recently announced “For You” initiative to support employees of customers who have lost their job in these challenging economic conditions. Today the company launched www.benefitplace.com, a new website that makes accessible a variety of affordable individual and family health plans for employees who have been offered COBRA by their employers and are seeking lower-cost alternatives, as well as a variety of other products and services to support the well-being of displaced workers through this time of crisis and beyond.

“Connecting America’s workforce to the products and services that improve their health and financial well-being is at the core of what we do, and this is more relevant today than perhaps any time in the past 50 years,” said Ray August, president and CEO of Benefitfocus. “We are in a period of severe economic crisis and many workers fear for their continued health and other benefits coverage. With the launch of benefitplace.com, we’re here for our customers’ employees and their families to continue access to affordable and quality options.”

Now, with BENEFITFOCUS BENEFITPLACE™, as employers are faced with a cycle of workforce transition, affected employees have ready access to high-quality, cost-effective benefits. Within Benefitplace, workers who have been displaced and need options will be able to access:

· Health Plans: Flexible options for employees to purchase short- or long-term health plans for individuals and families in addition to ACA exchange policies or COBRA offered by their former employer

· Supplemental benefits: A comprehensive catalog of discounted benefit related products and services, such as dental, vision and accident coverage

· Year-round access: As affected employees transition into new job opportunities, or as family needs change, Benefitplace offers a range of options for them to make changes and select new benefits that will meet their life needs

· Employment Resources: Access to temporary or freelance employment opportunities with Benefitplace partners and customers

· For Life: Ability to maintain individual plans regardless of employment status, and stay connected to their prior employer for possible re-engagement when the business climate improves.

The launch of Benefitplace.com furthers the company’s mission to connect people with the benefits that improves their lives. As employers deal with this period of crisis, Benefitfocus offers tools and support to enable future return-to-work initiatives. To learn more, the business community is invited to join the ongoing series of webinars to discuss employee well-being, the national relief effort, business continuity strategies and HR best practices to inform employers’ pandemic response.

Connect with Benefitfocus

Access www.benefitplace.com

View webinar series

Like Benefitfocus on Facebook

Follow @Benefitfocus on Twitter

Follow Benefitfocus on LinkedIn

Follow Benefitfocus on Instagram

About Benefitfocus

Benefitfocus (NASDAQ: BNFT) unifies the entire U.S. benefits industry on a single technology platform to protect consumers for life. Our powerful cloud-based software, data-driven insights and thoughtfully-designed services enable employers, insurance brokers, health plans and suppliers to simplify the complexity of benefits administration and deliver health, wealth, property and lifestyle products through a world-class benefits experience. Learn more at www.benefitfocus.com, LinkedIn and Twitter. 

Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Actual results or performance might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: the need to innovate and provide useful products and services; privacy; security and other risks associated with our business; the immature and volatile nature of the market for our products and services; risks related to changing healthcare and other applicable regulations; our ability to compete effectively; management of growth; our ability to maintain our culture and recruit and retain qualified personnel;  and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in our SEC filings, copies of which are available free of charge within the Investor Relations section of the Benefitfocus website at http://investor.benefitfocus.com/sec-filings or upon request from our investor relations department. Benefitfocus assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. 

Lowcountry

Palmetto Project is #heretohelp with your insurance and unemployment benefit options

April 21, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

We want you to know that during the COVID-19 stay at home order, Palmetto Project and Insure SC staff are working remotely and we are still #heretohelp.

If you or a family member have recently lost a job and/or insurance, please call us so that we can discuss your health insurance and unemployment benefit options.

Our staff is committed to helping all South Carolinians access quality, affordable preventive, primary, and specialty healthcare services. We are also able to help you navigate state government to access benefits and services for which you qualify.

Text PALMETTO to 56512 to receive our Palmetto Project text alerts

Lowcountry

Mayor Tecklenburg outlines a 3-Step Plan from Response to Recovery

April 19, 2020

by Charleston Daily 1 Comment

When the City of Charleston issued the stay-at-home order a few weeks ago, the primary goal was to “flatten the curve” so as to not overwhelm our hospital capacity and to greatly reduce the spread of contagion. I have been encouraged by the most recent numbers which are a testament to our citizens staying smart, staying distanced, and listening to medical experts. The plan to “flatten the curve” has and is continuing to work and we must be vigilant to keep Charleston from becoming a “hotspot”.

As we continue to flatten the curve, it is time to ready our strategic reopening to avoid any resurgence or spikes of the virus. I view this challenge in three ways:

• Protecting the lives and wellness of our citizens
• Keeping our hospitals from being overwhelmed
• Maintaining economic activity and core government services until a vaccine or treatment becomes available

Step I, we are still in the midst of, we are not out of the woods yet as we will continue to practice steps to stop the spread of the virus.

Step II, A strategic reopening relies on certain healthcare conditions being in place and then appropriate actions that we are planning for now:

After a strategic reopening, we can then start Step III of the plan to fully restore our economy with added resilience but we must rely on the advice of our medical experts. To see the full slideshow on the three-step plan for recovery that was discussed this week at City Council, click here.

I know this has been an unprecedented and tough time for our community, our state, and our nation but I also have faith in our resilience. Working together and keeping Charleston from becoming a “hotspot” will greatly increase our economic recovery. Thanks to everyone for your collaboration!

Sincerely,

Mayor John Tecklenburg

Lowcountry

Charleston Announces Adopt a Local Restaurant Campaign

April 18, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Charleston Announces Adopt a Local Restaurant Campaign

Charleston, S.C.- April 17, 2020 – Lowcountry Local First (LLF), Charleston’s 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to cultivate an economy anchored in local ownership, has partnered with local business coach Thomas Heath to launch the “Adopt a Local Restaurant” campaign. Aimed to help the Lowcountry’s food and beverage companies and their staff stay afloat during the COVID-19 crisis, this campaign encourages the community to participate in one of two ways:

“Adopt” your favorite local restaurant, brewery, distillery, or wine distributor by pledging to order from them a minimum of once a week (be sure to call the restaurant directly to place your order).
If your favorite food or beverage business has paused its operations, “adopt” them by pledging to contribute to their employee fund or virtual tip jar.

“The initial idea for the campaign came to me after I ordered takeout from one of my favorite local restaurants, the Grumpy Goat on James Island,” shares Heath. “I saw how much they were struggling and decided right there that I would ‘adopt’ them by ordering take out at least once a week while encouraging others to do the same.”

“The new Adopt a Local Restaurant campaign aims to further engage our Charleston community in assisting our beloved food and beverage employees during this time of desperate need,” shares Lowcountry Local First Executive Director Jamee Haley. “Our hope is that hundreds and eventually thousands of locals will participate is this generosity movement and give back to our favorite Charleston restaurants that have always given so much to us.”

Patrons who wish to pledge their support are encouraged to upload this graphic to their social media, filling in the blank to signify they are adopting a restaurant in one of the two ways listed above. In addition, Charleston food and beverage businesses wishing to be “adopted” are encouraged to upload this graphic to their social media. Both restaurants and patrons should use the hashtag #adoptarestaurantchs when sharing their campaign experiences. A list of businesses offering take-out / delivery and more can be found at buylocalchs.com.

The Adopt a Local Restaurant campaign is made possible with the support of local graphic designer Andrew Barton and PR professional Charlotte Berger.

For more information on the Adopt a Local Restaurant campaign, including access to graphics, visit www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/adopt.

Lowcountry

When the World United in Music – Through the Years

April 16, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Musicians, actors, and celebrities coming together in song for a cause have been part of our global culture for a long time. It is times like that that we look to reflect. What better way to reflect than to look back at some of the group musical causes.

Voices That Care – Supporting ou Soldiers (March 13, 1991)

Do They Know Its Christmas – Band-Aid (Recorded November 25, 1984) – Famine Relief in Africa (UK)

Tears Are Not Enough – Northern Lights – Recorded February 10, 1985 – Famine Relief – Canada

Imagine – Unicef World Version – Recorded September 23, 2016

We Are the World – Recorded January 28, 1985 – Famine Relief – United States

We Are the World for Haiti – Recorded February 1, 2010 – United States

Artists Against AIDS Worldwide – What’s Going On – Recorded October 30, 2001

Rap Against Dictatorship – 2018 Worldwide

Playing for Change – What a Wonderful World – 2012 – Worldwide

Broadway for Orlando – 2016 – What the World Needs Now

Lowcountry

Charleston, SC Based Blackbaud Customers Find Extraordinary Ways to Serve Public During COVID-19

April 15, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good, is highlighting three of its many customers making a direct impact on issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As nearly every industry around the world is affected by the pandemic, the social good community continues to demonstrate its resilience and dedication to supporting those in need despite the challenges presented by COVID-19.

“At Blackbaud, our vision is to power an Ecosystem of Good® that builds a better world, which is especially critical during these times,” said President and CEO Mike Gianoni. “As COVID-19 continues to challenge all of us to work, act and think in new ways, our customers are rising to the occasion with determination, innovation and the fortitude needed to combat this crisis head-on. We wanted to shine a light on a few of the thousands of actions being taken by our customers as we all work to support one another during this time.”

Protecting Children from Abuse During Quarantine
As a nonprofit working to prevent child sexual abuse, Darkness to Light has responded to COVID-19 with new resources to protect children impacted by the unintended consequences of social distancing and quarantines. Darkness to Light recognizes that 30% of children who are sexually abused are abused by family members. Child protective organizations are concerned that although there is a decrease in reports of abuse during this time, this is likely due to children’s reduced contact with other adults and not reductions in abuse itself. “For so many children, school and extracurricular activities provide a refuge, and now they may be feeling more helpless and hopeless,” said President and CEO Katelyn Brewer.

Darkness to Light has taken the following actions to help children who may be more vulnerable at this time: Quickly developing new resources for safe parents and caregivers dealing with new, complicated situations. Compiling resources for teachers on creating a safe, online learning experience. And releasing a completely new training resource on protecting children during times of crisis at no charge.

Organizers have received a resounding response to the free training with more than 1,200 signing up within the first week after the new resource was introduced the last day of March.

Supporting and Showing Gratitude For Those on the Frontline of COVID-19
As efforts accelerate worldwide to provide relief from the ravages of COVID-19, PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP) and The PepsiCo Foundation recently announced a more than $45 million initiative focused on helping people and communities most affected by the pandemic. In addition to funding vital support—including protective gear for healthcare workers and testing and screening services—the company already is in the process of distributing more than 50 million nutritious meals to at-risk populations by supporting food banks and other partners around the world. The company also is working with Global Citizen to support One World: Together at Home —a night of uplifting entertainment and community to thank the people leading the fight against COVID-19—which will air this Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m. EDT.

Additionally, recognizing that PepsiCo employees around the world also want to help their communities in this time of crisis, The PepsiCo Foundation is offering a two-to-one match for all employee charitable contributions through Blackbaud’s YourCause platform for the next four weeks. The PepsiCo Foundation will contribute up to $2 million in support of nonprofits chosen by employees and providing COVID-19 relief globally.

Providing Entertainment and Supporting Performing Arts During COVID-19
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will stream a benefit concert celebrating Disney on Broadway’s 25th anniversary on Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m. EDT at broadwaycares.org/disney25stream and on its YouTube channel and Facebook page. The family-friendly stream, free to all, will support Broadway Cares’ COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund. Best known for its “red bucket” fundraising after live theater performances, Broadway Cares is raising funds for those in the theater and entertainment communities in need of urgent health care and emergency financial assistance during this pandemic and work shutdown. Hosted live by Disney star Ryan McCartan from his family’s home, the stream will also feature interviews with other Disney on Broadway performers throughout the evening. Donations will be matched dollar for dollar by a group of Broadway producers.

Learn more about how Blackbaud customers are making quick shifts and taking action during the global COVID-19 crisis here.

About Blackbaud
Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good. Serving the entire social good community—nonprofits, higher education institutions, K–12 schools, healthcare organizations, faith communities, arts and cultural organizations, foundations, companies and individual change agents—Blackbaud connects and empowers organizations to increase their impact through cloud software, services, expertise and data intelligence. The Blackbaud portfolio is tailored to the unique needs of vertical markets, with solutions for fundraising and CRM, marketing, advocacy, peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate social responsibility, school management, ticketing, grantmaking, financial management, payment processing and analytics. Serving the industry for more than three decades, Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, and has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Inquiries
media@blackbaud.com

Lowcountry

America’s Song (Original Lyrics)

April 15, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

Canvas of Clouds
Valleys of Red Rock
Rivers empty into the guardians of the hills
Valleys are the eternal footprints in time
Etchings in the hills
Miles of green color our land

From ocean to ocean; sea to sea
In the belly of the canyon is the heart of this great land

The faces of heroes echo off the mountains
Plains stretch from state to state
Patches of farmland remind us of pastures ahead
Bison roam, cows graze, birds sing

Reach out your hands, join together and sing out loud
Men, women, and children join as one
Raise your hats to the sky
Let the wings of freedom reign high above the clouds

(Music)

Essence of America
Smiles of children
Laughter like waves crashing on the shore
Cliffs hover a million miles below
The bottomless ocean fills out infinite dreams
Cars racing search of a paradise called America

Teachers praise freedom; soldiers defend it, and children dream of it

Peace is a five-letter word that can be seen through the eyes of a newborn
Mother Liberty our keeper and protector
Waving at the Staten Island Ferry
In her arms, freedom is safe bearing the words of our forefathers
Guarding her two children peace and independence

Prisons filled with oppression
Our homes a fortress
Together, hand in hand we will find the answer

Lowcountry

IEP Answers, a Charleston, SC Based Veteran-owned Startup Launches to Empower and Prepare Parents of Special Needs Children Prepare for their IEP/504 Meeting

April 15, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

IEP Answers Launches to Empower and Prepare Parents for Their Child’s IEP/504 Meeting

(Charleston, S.C., April 15) ––IEP Answers, a veteran-owned startup rethinking the Individualized Education Program/504 Plan process, announced its launch as a critical partner for parents seeking assistance in the IEP or 504 process for their student.

Navigating annual IEP/504 meetings is challenging, with confusing jargon that can make the process feel like learning a new language. IEP Answers breaks down the process into a parent-friendly format to increase confidence heading into IEP/504 meetings. Whether an IEP or 504, IEP Answers provides an expert review of a student’s individualized plan with identified positives and recommendations that parents can bring to the team for consideration. With tools from IEP Answers, parents can be an active team member in the IEP/504 process.

“As the father of a child with Autism, I saw firsthand the frustration and struggle the IEP/504 process can cause families,” said Scott Herman, founder of IEP Answers. “7 million U.S. families face this struggle each year. I believed there had to be a better way. We assembled an amazing team and created that better way – IEP Answers.”

Through IEP Answers’ proprietary system, parents can receive the Essential IEP Review gaining resources to succeed in their IEP/504 meeting. Users simply upload their child’s information that is securely shared with our state licensed reviewers. Conducted by a local expert, the results of the Essential IEP Review offer a non-biased review in plain language about a student’s services and/or supports.

The Essential IEP Review costs just $249 and is recommended annually or as needed. IEP Answers is available for scheduled follow-up calls so parents can connect with experts once a review is completed. Professionals on staff are also available for additional related services, including speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy as needed. IEP Answers currently offers services in Ohio, Michigan, South Carolina and North Carolina.

“IEP Answers’ goal is to provide parents peace of mind their child is receiving adequate support to match his or her needs,” said Herman. “Our Essential IEP Review includes review of IEP/504 and recommendations by local educational experts. This gives the parents the tools to be the best advocate and team member for their child.”

If our professionals feel they cannot help families, IEP Answers offers a 100% refund. By using our technology and expert team of professionals, IEP Answers can help families as the most affordable resource for IEP and 504 help.

For more information, visit IEPAnswers.com and get started with the IEP Essential Review today.

Lowcountry

GALLERY: Is this the new normal? The Quiet Streets of Charleston, South Carolina Speak Volumes

April 13, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

Walking the streets of Charleston, South Carolina and every city in America and around the world is sobering right now. The narrative is being re-written and we are all facing a possible new normal. For Charleston, South Carolina, a city that thrives on hospitality, culture, arts and an all-around sense of Southern charm, these streets are filled with a quiet fear and uncertainty.

Businesses are closed, development has slowed and an eery distance is placed between the locals that are just trying to find some form of normalcy.

These photos taken today tell a very visual story of a town longing and waiting for better days.

Fleet Landing – Waterfront dining is just a puddle of water

The nationally recognized “The Spectator” is hauntingly quiet without guests

No pedestrians, shoppers or horses at the City Market – Just empty benches and streets

For the Love of Charleston, Stop COVID-19

Common Messages All Around the City of Charleston, South Carolina

All Photos Courtesy of Mark A. Leon and Charleston Daily

Lowcountry

It’s About the Little Things We Do For One Another Now – “Tell Me About Your Day” – Original Poem

April 13, 2020

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

Tell me about your day
About the little things; the tiny details
Telling about the way you are seeing the world
I want to see it through your eyes
The way you feel others
The way you find goodness
How the sun shines in the eye of a storm
How your tears cleanse you from the drought
Your eyes light the darkness
Your hands make a child feel safe

Cry to me
Shower me with your feelings
Be grateful with faith and hope

Tell me about the way you found satisfaction in the laughter of a baby
Helping a stranger in need
Giving food to the mouths of those who starve

I want to hear all the details as we lay in bed
I want to fall asleep to the sound of your voice
I want to hear how you put color in this black and white montage

Tell me about your day

The next day, I will kiss you gently on the lips
Promise you it will be alright
Never let the world hurt you alone
I’ll hurt with you
Be close for all time
Nothing I won’t do to protect you

Each night with the setting sun, when you walk through that door, so beautiful with each passing day, you tell me about your day

Until my weary eyes close and my last vision is your beautiful soul
How lucky I must be to have you to tell me about your day for the rest of my life