Arts, etc. formally kicked off its season with the first luncheon of the year on October 1st at the River Course Ballroom. It was a beautiful day with a hint of fall in the air.
Karen Curth welcomed everyone and assumed the President banner for the first time after leading the Events effort for two years prior. She reminded us that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Most of the women in the room raised their hands when asked if they had been impacted by/close to someone fighting this challenging disease.
Several new Arts, etc. members in attendance were acknowledged. Karen also highlighted the work of the new committees, which have been so helpful in supporting organization’s operations. These committees include Fundraising (Chair: Lisa Quadrini), School Liaison (Chair: Amanda Wrigley), Communication and Media (Chair: Lorraine Lilley), Art Auction and Event (Chair: TBD), Member Welcome (Chair: Bettie Tullis), Luncheon (Chair: TBD), and Grants (Chair: Mary Maloney).
Karen shared information about the numerous grants Art, etc. awarded this year and the arts organizations which provided the resources. The grants totaled $200,000, raised last year through member donations, business sponsors, the Art & House tour, and the Art Auction. She reminded members to check out our enhanced website and to sign up for our November Member Mingle event on November 13th from 4:00 to 6:00. This will be a fun, fundraising gathering at the Marsh House where members can bring guests. The program will include a wine tasting organized by Somm Wine Bar along with charcuterie board selections. There will be games, a raffle, and musical entertainment provided by the Charleston Jazz Orchestra. Our December Luncheon will be held at the Sandcastle, featuring artist Mary Whyte.
October is the kick off for the Arts, etc. Member Donation Campaign. Since this is our 25th Anniversary, we have an ambitious goal to raise $200,000. We already have $20,000 in commitments from board members and committee heads. Former President Amy Creamer spoke to the group about the need to find a volunteer to take on the Vice President/Events Coordinator role. This is a key position for the organization and comes with a board seat and support from a large committee and our expert staff.
The luncheon guest speaker was Henry Blackford, who founded the Vision to Learn program in South Carolina in 2021. This program does student vision screening and is staffed with optometrists who visit Title 1 (low-income area) schools, offering eye exams and glasses at no charge. Their efforts in Charleston and Dorchester County have enabled over 40,000 students to be screened and placed in over 12,000 pairs of glasses – having a major impact on their educational experience.
Henry talked about the obstacles he faced in starting the South Carolina program. Henry was a banker who had experience leading fundraising for United Way. He and his wife were inspired by a television documentary about a Vision to Learn program connected to the Wilmer Eye Institute. He approached the Storm Eye Institute at MUSC in 2018, and they were willing to provide the seed grant of $125,000 to start him on his path to creating a similar program in South Carolina. A major impediment was an SC law that restricted glasses to be acquired at establishments of licensed optometrists, but he worked with lobbyists change the law to allow this program to start helping school children with vision issues. They have had a positive impact on students in the area, often improving their academic performance after receiving vision assistance. In some cases, their screening exams find other health issues that are treated at pediatric specialists. It was inspiring to hear about another nonprofit like Arts, etc that is making a difference in our local schools.