2-1-1 Helpline: Get Help & Find Resources serving Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties

SC 2-1-1 Helpline serves as a safety net for all individuals needing help finding assistance, by helping improve the effectiveness and coordination of health and human services across the state.

The 2-1-1 Helpline program provides information about and referral to health and human service resources available in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties.

The service is available 24/7, 365 days per year.

It is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL.

Available by phone 24 hours per day Volunteer Care Prosperity Charity Navigator Charleston SC Charity United Way Donate/ Donation GuideStar Trident 211 Volunteer Opportunities  Nonprofit /Non- Profit Organizations Charleston South Carolina Community Service Near Me
Available online at sc211.org
Download the SC 211 App Available by phone 24 hours per day Volunteer Care Prosperity Charity Navigator Charleston SC Charity United Way Donate/ Donation GuideStar Trident 211 Volunteer Opportunities  Nonprofit /Non- Profit Organizations Charleston South Carolina Community Service Near Me

You can use SC 2-1-1 in three ways:

  • 1. Dial 2-1-1 on your phone to speak with an agent.
  • 2. Search for services in your community at SC211.org.
  • 3. Download the SC 2-1-1 App on your mobile device.

Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie issues new proclamation adopting Governor McMaster’s non-essential business order

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Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie today issued a new proclamation mirroring South Carolina Governo Henry McMaster’s Closure of Non-Essential Businesses executive order.

Haynie’s new order revokes his order issued March 31 limiting businesses to only those that are deemed to offer essential services and instead calls for the closure of non-essential businesses as defined in McMaster’s Executive Order 2020-17. Haynie’s new proclamation maintains the Stay-at-Home Order as well as the prohibition of short-term rental leasing. The order is effective through April 15.

Charleston Historic Tours teaming up to raise funds to displaced restaurant employees

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Captain Bryan Bialock of Charleston Historic Tours is teaming up with local area restaurants to provide funding support to displaced restaurant workers during this time of need.

100% of all funds collected are going directly into the hands of the former employers to support food, bills, and medical expenses.

Why is Bryan taking on this project?

“I worked for 5 years as a shipping analyst for OOCL. I had an idea to start a bar tour on weekends and these guys made it happen. It built up to the point where last year I quit my full-time job to do 5 different types of tours and without these managers and service staff allowing my groups to come by and treating them like royalty it would not be possible and I would not be doing what I love. This is my small thanks for their contribution to my own success.”

If you would like to contribute, Bryan has sent up a Venmo Account where you can contribute directly

Charleston Jazz Society Seeks Volunteers for Presenting Jazz Events

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The Charleston Jazz Society is considering sponsoring a jazz performance series and is looking for volunteers to organize and run about 6 small concerts a year. If you are interested in becoming part of the volunteer staff, please contact jazz@csatennis.com for more information.

No prior experience or knowledge is necessary other than the desire to spread the joy of live jazz to a larger part of the Charleston community. However, skills in marketing and publicity as well as event planning would be helpful for some of the positions available.

Summerville Dream To Promote Streaming By Local Musicians

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Story by Rob Rosenblum

In order to help area musicians to continue to perform for their audiences, Summerville Dream, a Summerville based non-profit, will highlight and promote recorded video performances.

The man behind this effort is local folk-rock guitarist and singer Dan Riley.

Riley has played frequently at Home Grown Brew House and hosts the Knightsville Porch Jam at Knightsville general store open house.
 
“What I am doing is a collaboration with Summerville Dream’s Steve Doniger,” Riley said..” People had been chatting about how we could feature musicians who normally play live. I’m a singer and songwriter and organize events and part of a network of musicians.  I’m just a friendly guy trying to connect with as many people as possible.”

“I am reaching out to musicians and asking them to send videos to me to be featured on the Summerville Dream page,” he explained.  “All we need is a simple video on their phone or Facebook live. It has to be music they own the rights to or public domain.”

Riley asks that you send files and links and biographical information to him by email at danrileysongsmith@gmail.com. If they have an electronic tip jar, include that information as well. If you have trouble sending larger files, try using www.wetransfer.com, a free data transfer site.

List of GoFundMe Efforts in the Lowcountry supporting local businesses

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Here is your opportunity to support the local businesses you have come to love in their time of need:

Fundraisers in Charleston, South Carolina

Fundraisers in North Charleston, South Carolina

Fundraisers in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Fundraisers in Summerville, South Carolina

Fundraisers in Johns Island, South Carolina

Fundraisers in Charleston AFB

Fundraisers in Ravenel, South Carolina

Leading Skin Care Manufacturer ROYAL LABS, of Charleston, S.C., Ramps-Up Production to Meet Demand for Hand Sanitizer Spray and Hand Wash

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With grocery stores, hospitals and senior living facilities reporting shortages of hand sanitizer and hand soaps due to continued impact of COVID-19, Royal Labs Natural Cosmetics, Inc., has expanded its production line to…

CHARLESTON, S.C. – March 27, 2020 – (Newswire.com) – With grocery stores, hospitals and senior living facilities reporting shortages of hand sanitizer and hand soaps due to continued impact of COVID-19, Royal Labs Natural Cosmetics, Inc., has expanded its production line to accommodate unprecedented demand for sanitizers and soaps in the coming weeks.

“With over 80K sq. ft of manufacturing space and the capability to produce, pack and ship large volumes of finished goods with quick turns, we see this is an opportunity to step up and provide an important service, using the resources and infrastructure that we already have in place.” – Dee Heffernan, VP Sales & Marketing

The formulator and manufacturer behind some of the most trusted brands in the natural wellness sector for the past 35 years, Royal Labs has a reputation for developing high-quality skin-care and personal care products that are as effective as they are health-conscious.

“We’ve always prioritized integrity and quality in our supply chain and have, over many years, developed relationships with some of the best producers of raw materials in the World. This has allowed us to maintain a consistent end product that is safe and affordable for our customers.” – Paul Lieber, Founder & CEORoyal Labs is currently shipping online orders for hand washes under its Deep Steep brand and is taking bulk orders for hand washes and hand sanitizers on a first-come, first-serve basis, with priority given to hospitals and government-run establishments. To place an order, please contact sales@royallabs.com

Royal Labs Natural Cosmetics is a private label contract manufacturer of premium personal care and skin-care products. Learn more at royallabs.com

Charleston, SC based Vikor Scientific to Release COVID-19 Testing

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CHARLESTON, S.C. — Vikor Scientific™ is a high complexity CLIA certified and CAP-accredited laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina that is in the process of validating the COVID-19 testing, which is expected to be released this week pending FDA approval. The testing will be conducted via the QuantStudio™ 12K Flex Open Array from Thermo Fisher, which is an industry-leading instrument for PCR testing and has the capacity for high throughput, allowing Vikor to test a high volume of patients daily.

Vikor is working closely with the FDA for continued guidance on expediting the approval process. Vikor is already testing for the common Coronaviruses via their Respira-ID™ molecular panel. They have specifically dedicated 2,000 of their 22,000 square feet of their headquarters at WestEdge to the COVID-19 testing for Coronavirus and are preparing for 100,000 kits to be available for shipment to customers by Wednesday of this week.

Vikor’s testing has a 24-hour turn-around-time from sample arrival at the lab and can accurately detect over 40 pathogens known to cause Respiratory illness. Just as important, they have one of the largest antibiotic resistance gene panels on the commercial market.

It is vital during this time to remember that while the COVID-19 virus is our most recent and urgent pathogen invading the United States, there are many other significant pathogens leading to hospitalization and death daily.  Vikor’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Bill W. Massey, urges providers to conduct full panel testing to not only detect or rule out COVID-19 but to also determine what may be causing the patient’s symptoms. The causative pathogen could be viral, bacterial, or co-infection and lead to significant illness, hospitalizations, and death.

To order testing kits from Vikor Scientific, please call 854-429-1069 or email Covid19@vikorscientific.com.

SOURCE Vikor Scientific

Local Charleston Artist Fer Caggiano is offering Free downloadable coloring pages to help cope and stay creative

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Local Charleston artist Fer Caggiano is doing her part to help children and adults cope with the isolation by offering free coloring pages in hopes we continue to let our creativity shine and reduce our stress levels:

Click Here to Select and Download

Message from Fer

Yes, my friends. Art comes to the rescue! I have made coloring pages available for free download so you can stay in the safety and comfort of your home and do some stress-free activity.

The first selection is available here, they are mostly pages to color for adults, but I am sure your children will enjoy as well.

To download you have to add them to your cart and check-out. NO CHARGES at all but that was the only way I figured how to do it on my website. You will receive a download link and there you go! Feel free to share with whoever you want and I would LOVE to see how you color my drawings so please send me a picture. You can share them on my Facebook page too.

Charleston Cares: Free School Meal Distribution and Restaurants Offering Free Student Meals

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  • Rio Chico Restaurant in Summerville – Monday to Friday11:00 am to 1:00 pm! Ages: 12 years and under
  • Burger King will be starting free meals to children on Monday, March 23, 2020
  • Ella & Ollie’s on Edisto Island – “If anyone needs any assistance with feeding their families please feel free to private message us. We will be glad to help however we can. All our love! – E&O crew” – Love the support for the Edisto Community
  • Eggs up Grill – Participating Locations include Albany, Anderson, Boiling Springs, Camden, Charlotte, Florence, Fuquay-Varina, McAlister Square-Greenville, Woodruff Rd.–Greenville, Pelham Rd.–Greenville, Garden City (2520 S. Highway 17), Greer, Holly Springs, Irmo, Knightsville, Ladson, Moore, Mount Pleasant, Powdersville, Spartanburg, Summerville, Sumter. Check individual restaurant pages for details/restrictions.
  • Zia Taqueria – If your K – 12th grader needs lunch it’s on us! Just bring them in and they’ll get a cheese quesadilla and a side of rice; Free of charge, No strings attached, from 11 to 3 every single day. Let’s take care of each other out there.
  • Jalisco Taqueria & Tequila – While the schools are closed between now and the end of the month, kids eat free. One free kid meal per adult.
  • Baroni’s Pizza – During the hours of 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday through Friday, at both of our locations (Mount Pleasant and West Ashley). This offer is only good for dine-in or take-out, and children must be present with valid ID.

The following sites have been designated for school meal distribution:

Charleston County

  • Carolina Voyager Charter
  • Charleston Charter for Math and Science
  • Charleston County School of the Arts
  • Charleston Progressive Academy
  • Chicora Elementary School
  • E.B. Ellington Elementary School
  • Goodwin Elementary School
  • Harborview Elementary School
  • Haut Gap Middle School
  • Ladson Elementary School
  • Laing Middle School
  • Sanders Clyde Elementary School
  • St. James-Santee Elementary-Middle School
  • Stall High School
  • West Ashley Middle School

Berkeley County School District – No cost to students 18 and younger

  • Baptist Hill Middle High Schoool
  • Berkeley High School
  • Boulder Bluff Elementary School
  • Cainhoy Elementary School 
  • Cane Bay High School
  • College Park Middle School 
  • Cross Elementary School 
  • Devon Forest Elementary School
  • Goose Creek High School 
  • Hanahan Elementary School 
  • H.E. Bonner Elementary School 
  • Jane Edwards Elementary
  • J.K. Gourdin Elementary School 
  • Sangaree Elementary School 
  • St. Stephen Elementary School 
  • Timberland High School

Dorchester School District 2

Meal pickup is between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

  • Alston-Bailey Elementary
  • Fort Dorchester High
  • Flowertown Elementary
  • Oakbrook Elementary, Spann Elementary
  • Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary School
  • Reeves Elementary.

Colleton County School District

9 to 11 a.m. Drivers will be able to receive their meals in their cars. Pickup locations are as follows:

  • Bells Elementary School
  • Black Street Early Childhood Center
  • Colleton County Middle School
  • Cottageville Elementary School
  • Hendersonville Elementary School