Columbia, SC (WLTX) — Since 2012, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving has been designated Giving Tuesday, a global day for kicking off the charitable season and end of the year giving.
Last year 150 countries from around the world participated in #GivingTuesday and over $300 million was raised online, according to givingtuesday.org.
Locally, you can give online or check out the wish lists posted on non-profit websites and donate items in person.
Every year, South Carolina’s Secretary of State Mark Hammond compiles a list of the best and not-so-good charitable organizations on the Angels and Scrooges List. To be designated an Angel, organizations must devote at least 80% of total expenditures to charitable programs, have been in existence for at least three years, make good use of volunteer services, receive minimal funding from grants, and are compliant with the SC Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act.
This year’s Angels, with the percentage of their expenditures that went to program services, includes Ballet Spartanburg, Inc., 87.2% ; Carolina’s Kids (Hartsville), 84.7%; Central Carolina Community Foundation (Columbia), 93.6%; Community Kitchen, Inc. of Myrtle Beach, 80.9%; Florence Crittenton Programs of South Carolina, Inc. (Charleston), 89%; Good Neighbor Free Medical Clinic of Beaufort, 96.8%; Helping Hands of Georgetown, 90%; Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS) (Columbia), 91.2%; United Christian Ministries of Abbeville County, 87.3%; and YouthBase, Inc. (Greenville), 88.2%. Home Works America, Inc, was designated a 2018 Honorary Angel for service to the people of South Carolina during the floods of 2015 and 2016 and its program service percentage of 91.2% in 2016.
For a list of tips for charitable giving and of all professional solicitor contracts currently on file with the Secretary of State’s Office, see the 2017-2018 Wise Giving & Professional Solicitor Report online at www.scsos.com.
SOME MIDLANDS CHARITIES This list is not meant to be comprehensive
Central Carolina Community Foundation, links area charitable people and businesses with areas of need in the community, www.yourfoundation.org
Columbia’s Women’s Shelter, aid for homeless women in need, 3425 N. Main St., womenshelter.org
Sistercare, help for survivors of domestic violence and their children in Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Kershaw and Fairfield counties. 1820 Morlaine Dr., Cayce, www.sistercare.org/get-involved
Oliver Gospel Mission, Serving the homeless community in Columbia since 1888. Oliver Gospel Mission aids men at 1100 Taylor St., and women and children through Toby's Place. www.olivergospelmission.org
Senior Resources, coordinates services and resources, and encourages personal choices that allow Midlands seniors to remain independent. Under the Senior Resources umbrella are programs such as Meals on Wheels, Pet Pals, Wellness Centers, and Foster Grandparents. 2817 Millwood Ave., www.seniorresourcesinc.org
Transitions, the largest homeless shelter in the Midlands providing programs and services for men and women over the age of 18. 2025 Main St., transitionssc.org
Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS), provides service dogs and animal assisted educational and recreational activities for children and adults with physical disabilities and social needs. 221 N. Grampian Hills Rd., Columbia, paals.org
Pawmetto Lifeline, a no-kill animal rescue organization solving pet overpopulation in the Midlands. 1275 Bower Parkway, pawmettolifeline.org
PetsInc, a pet rescue and adoption organization that places over 1,200 animals into adoption or temporary foster homes each year. 300 Orchard Lane, www.petsinc.org
COMMON WISH LIST ITEMS
Non-perishable food items, canned goods, coffee, tea, creamer, sugar, sugar free items, baby food, salt & pepper shakers
Paper plates, paper towels, plastic cups and utensils, tall kitchen garbage bags, aluminum foil, cling wrap, zip lock storage bags
Toilet paper, travel size deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, ethnic hair products, Band-Aids, body wash & soap
Laundry detergent (regular and HE), dryer sheets, liquid fabric softener
Cleaning supplies, baby wipes, disinfectant, bleach
Phone cards, gas cards, $5/$10 Walmart or other store gift cards
Blankets, pillowcases
Pet food (cat, dog, dry or canned)
UPCOMING CHARITY EVENTS
For One & Y’all, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov, 27, Women’s Rights and Empowerment (WREN), 1241 Main St. Any donation to WREN’s Accessibility Fund through Nov. 27 gains the donor entry to the event. WREN was created to advance the health, economic well-being, and rights of women, girls and their families in South Carolina through advocacy, education, empowerment, and coalitions. https://www.facebook.com/events/322207791908395/
The Power of Plugging In, 7:30-9 p.m. Nov. 27. United Way of the Midlands Young Leaders Society, 1818 Blanding St. Learn how community engagement can benefit you personally and professionally with panelists Elizabeth Nkuo Johnson, Director of Community Relations for BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, and Todd Miller, Chief Marketing Officer for Palmetto Health. Tickets $10/YLS donor, $15/guest, or $20 at the door https://www.uway.org/events/learning-leaders-power-plugging?fbclid=IwAR3TTVuVfgN3GOuAsWLP9DZsTGejaUwOA_35IPkAuD2PXQ4rsIrCKLqo4-I
Generosity Feeds, 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 1, Strom Thurmond Wellness Center, 1000 Blossom St. Sponsored by MOD Pizza, sign up to make and package 10,000 meals in 2 hours. All meals will be given to children in Richland County who struggle with hunger. Family-oriented event, children three and older can participate. Register at https://www.generosityfeeds.org/sc/columbia/431
Time for Art, 7-10 p.m. Dec. 8, Columbia Museum of Art, hosted by Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR). Bid on works of original local art by using hours of volunteer community service rather than money. tickets $79.74 to $147.99 https://www.facebook.com/events/433619973795914/
Stuff A Bus, 5 a.m.- 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. Collecting new, unwrapped toys, non-perishable food items and monetary donations at the following Walmart locations: Dec. 7: Forest Drive, Manning, Orangeburg, Dutch Fork, and Lexington; Dec. 14: Two Notch, Harbison, Sumter, and Garners Ferry Road.
