The inaugural Charleston Philanthropy Week, an exciting endeavor put forth by the leaders of several area nonprofit organizations, began with a boom last Wednesday— the booming baritone voice of Hugh McColl, Jr., that is, whose keynote speech resonated in both tone and message as he recalled his time as Chairman and CEO of Bank of America. The rapt audience, populated with both philanthropists and development officers, extended a warm standing ovation to the Bennettsville native, who shared both humorous and thought-provoking insights into the world of charitable giving on a large corporate scale. When he offhandedly disclosed that Bank of America makes $100 million each day, expressions of disbelief rippled through the audience. McColl’s earnest response— “That’s a lot of money!”— elicited laughter from the crowd.
Taking a page from Mr. McColl’s altruistic view of corporate philanthropy was Bill Medich, senior vice president of S.C. Bank and Trust, who sponsored the week-long series of events. Those responsible for the planning of Charleston Philanthropy Week included Jennet Alterman (Center for Women), Courtney Ellicott (Charitable Society of Charleston), Julia Forster (Spoleto Festival USA), Tish Lynn (Coastal Community Foundation), Kenton Morrison (Gibbes Museum of Art), and Weesie Newton (Women Making a Difference). Good job, ladies.
On Wednesday night, close to 300 people gathered at Lowdnes Grove Plantation to celebrate Women Making a Difference’s fifth annual grants distribution party. Full disclosure: I wholeheartedly embrace the mission of this group, more accurately described as a giving circle, and I hold a leadership position on the executive committee. Since the group’s inception in 2002, it has raised more than $200,000 to fund grants for local initiatives that seek to improve quality of life for women and children in Charleston. The 15 outstanding charities that received 2006 grants can be found on www.womenmakingadifference.com. Lex Opoulos, owner of Lowndes Grove, is especially benevolent when it comes to working with non-profits, and he deserves a gold star in my book for the endless string of worthy events that take place at the picturesque venue.
The ballroom of Spoleto Festival USA’s headquarters at 14 George Street was the site of lively discussion on Thursday afternoon when the Center for Women hosted a panel discussion on Women and Philanthropy: Why and How We Give. Five women, each representing a different cause and a difference approach to charitable giving, shared personal experiences with the 59 women and lone male, Bill Medich, in attendance. Panelists included Emily Abedon (Operation Home), Leah Greenberg (Coastal Community Foundation board member), Priscilla Robsinson (social philanthropist), Nina Sossamon (founder of the the temporarily on-hold Starting Spaces), and Weesie Newton (Women Making a Difference).
Thursday night ushered in the most spectacular eye-popping event currently on the local party circuit: Darkness to Light’s Circle of Light gala. Held in a series of behemoth tents that were clustered upon Marion Square, the gala was bathed in red and adorned with paper lanterns, votive candles, and live Koi. The somewhat dramatic arrival of Greg Woo (a VJ from MTV Chi and MC of the gala), who was carried into the tent by four men, signaled the start of dinner. At my table, conversation centered around Amy Tumbleston and Corey Brown’s March nuptials and yet-to-be-determined honeymoon destination. They purchased a trip to NYC at last year’s D2L auction and had hoped to find a trip to Asia amongst the live auction lots (unfortunately, no). I wish them luck with their planning and new life together.
To capture the attention of a large crowd can be an exercise in futility, but a solemn hush fell across the crowd when the trailer for a new documentary that exposes the rampant child sexual abuse by Father Oliver O’Grady, a vile pedophile who carried out his abuse for years while clergy in the Los Angeles diocese looked away, played across the ceiling of the main tent. Word is Deliver Us From Evil has been short listed for an Academy Award. Click here to watch the trailer.
Ubiquitous charity auctioneer Doug Warner commanded what seemed to be a record amount for the 12 lots, which included trips and entertaining packages. A definite highlight came early in the auction when guests were asked to make pledges in $100 increments to sponsor the training of one adult to know how to recognize and responsibly react to the signs of child sexual abuse. Paddles waved frantically as guests pledged to sponsor one to two adults. Then, someone pledged $1,000, and the proverbial dam broke. From that point on, it was a steady stream of $2,000 pledges (training for 20 adults), and it was exhilarating.
I was talking with family friends after the dinner (Red Drum, and it was scrumptious), when the faint sound of Earth, Wind, and Fire drifted in from the adjoining cocktail-hour/after-dinner-dancing tent. I immediately bolted toward the dance floor, where I found the belle of Charleston Philanthropy Week, Weesie Newton, and her husband Tradd, who was channeling the Scissor Sisters. I believe he dusted off some of his dance moves for the first time since the 70s. All that was missing was a big blond afro! Good show.
Caritas.
Ida
