Helping Out for Aug. 7, 2019

Listen to this article

Helping Out highlights some of the many charitable events and activities going on in the Charleston area. ATTENTION: Submissions should now be made using our online form.

More than a dozen community members have volunteered dress in drag and perform a dance routine as the Divine Divas at Gay Bingo: Mad Hatter’s Ball, set for 6-10 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Charleston Area Convention Center.

The night is a fundraiser for Palmetto Community Care in its work helping those living with HIV in the Charleston region while providing free HIV testing, education and prevention resources.

The divas have been learning a dance routine choreographed by Tim Brown, a member of The Movement Union, a new contemporary modern dance ensemble in Charleston.

The Divine Divas for 2019 are:

• Tripp Accardo, who plays rugby with the Charleston Blockade
• Brandon Aiton, who works at Hawkes Learning
• Michael Biondi, one of the owners of Frothy Beard Brewing Co.
• Christopher Briggs, who works at Walmart; his drag persona is Kathleen Francis
• James Cherry, who works for Joint Base Charleston in the 628th Medical Group
• Michael Conwell, CEO Palm Island Inc.
• Chris Deer, owner of Tideline Aquatics
• Amy George, who is involved with Charleston Rugby, The Citadel, Air Force Reserves and Charleston County Emergency Medical Services
• Topher Larkin, who works at the Ryan White Wellness Center
• Emily Greenway, medical case manager at Palmetto Community Care
• Jonatan Guerrero Ramírez, who works for We are Family and is the editor at Beau magazine
• Tim Newborn, who works at Blackbaud and performs as Oshi Goode
• Michael Pound, who has volunteered with Charleston Pride, the Community Pride Board of Charleston Inc., Keep North Charleston Beautiful and more
• Meg Smith, who teaches at the College of Charleston
• Nick Stayrook, craft brand manager at Lee Distributors
• Ross Todd, local entertainer
• Kyle Wallace, who works in the craft beer community and runs charlestonbrewerylist.com
• Christopher Zuver, who works at Boeing

This year’s theme is the Mad Hatter’s Ball, and costumes are encouraged. Patti O’Furniture is back as the event hostess, ready to call out bingo numbers and keep the audience entertained.

Bingo prize packages will include spa treatments, gift baskets, event tickets, restaurant gift certificates and a vacation package.

General admission tickets are $50 and include bingo games and entertainment. Food will be available for purchase, and there will be beer and a cash bar. VIP tickets are $75 and include a pre-event reception at 5 p.m. with complimentary champagne, premium seating and a free drink ticket, bingo games and entertainment. Reserved tables range from $600 to $1,800.

Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina will host the inaugural Carolina Kingfish Classic Aug. 15-17.

The tournament will include beach parties with live music, two days of fishing and auctions, all to benefit the campaign for the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. Anglers will compete for prizes and the “King’s Crown” while participating in the fourth leg of the Southern Kingfish Association’s Division 3 tournament trail.

All the proceeds from Saturday’s beach party admissions and auctions will go to the MUSC campaign. The new hospital will be a place built around the needs of children, where they can feel safe, protected and surrounded by loved ones during their stay.

The Carolina Kingfish Classic is the 2nd tournament in Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina’s tournament series. The Carolina Billfish Classic was June 19-22, and the Carolina Sailfish and Wahoo Classic is scheduled for Oct. 2-5.

The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Roper St. Francis Physicians’ Endowment.

The grant will support the first year of the association’s five-year expansion plan, which is designed to increase access to services and help more blind and visually impaired adults achieve independence and employment.

The association helps blind and visually impaired adults in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties learn new approaches to daily life through the Own Your Life program. Approximately 300 tri-county residents have taken part in classes, therapy sessions, social opportunities and trainings.

The main training facility is in Charleston County. The association began offering classes at satellite locations in Summerville this year and is planning a second, permanent location in the north area.

Fetter Health Care Network, a Federally Qualified Health Center, is participating in National Health Center Week through Friday. Each day this week has a theme, such as Children’s Health Day or Patient Appreciation Day.

The annual event is hosted by the National Association of Community Health Centers and the Health Center Advocacy Network to raise awareness about health centers across the country. This year’s theme for the week is America’s Health Centers: Rooted in Communities.

The schedule of events for Fetter Health Care Network’s celebration is:

• Monday was Patient Appreciation Day
• Tuesday was Children’s Health Day
• Today is Community Partners Appreciation Day
• Thursday is Health and Wellness Day
• Friday is Health Center Staff Appreciation Day

S.C. Rep. Joe Jefferson of Pineville will join Fetter at its Elijah Wright Health Center, at 1681 Old S.C. Highway 6 in Cross at 12:30 p.m. today.