Over $20,000 of backpacks and school supplies were donated through the 2024 Trident United Way Young Leaders United Virtual Back to School Supply Drive!

Volunteers sorted, organized and packed backpacks and supplies in early August and delivered the items to nonprofit partners and schools for distribution to students - including Cainhoy Elementary, Cross Middle High School, College Park Elementary, Septima P. Clark Academy, Neighbors Together and North Charleston Youth Resistance.

 

Trident United Way Young Leaders United and Donor Network members participated in a panel discussion led by Maria Kelly (Amor Healing Kitchen), Sam Haab (Charleston Parks Conservancy) and Kelly Duane (FoodShare South Carolina), moderated by YLU Chair Travis Frank (South Carolina Ports Authority). Attendees learned about the impact of access to nutritious food, community gardens and the concept of food as medicine.

We are incredibly grateful to our panelists who shared a wealth of knowledge and insights into equitable food access and sustainability!

Trident United Way Young Leaders United hosted the 2024 Cocktails & Conversations on March 14 at the Harbour Club at WestEdge. Attendees networked and connected prior to participating in three rounds of table discussions, led by established philanthropic leaders from the Trident United Way Tocqueville Society. It was a wonderful evening filled with meaningful conversation and leadership development. Thank you to all who attended!

We would also like to thank our wonderful table hosts Anne Forrest, Allison Grayson, DJ Hampton, Vicki Johnson, Wendy Kopp, Mark Lewis, Steven Mungo, Christine Owens, and Jeremy Willits for sharing your experiences and insights, and for your continued support of Trident United Way.

Over 600 backpacks were were filled with school supplies through the Trident United Way Young Leaders United backpack assembly volunteer event! These supplies will provide a much needed mid-year refresh to students in the Tri-County community.

1,400 backpacks and school supplies were donated through the 2023 Trident United Way Young Leaders United virtual supply drive and are being distributed through community partners in the Tri-County area. 120 volunteers participated in the supply drive packing over a two day period at the UPS Customer Center. Donated backpacks and supplies were delivered to Charleston Hispanic Association, CHS Promise Neighborhood (Mary Ford Elementary), Carolina Youth Develoment Center, Lowcountry Orphan Relief, McKinney Vento, My Sisters House, One80 Place, Our Lady of Mercy Community Outrech, St. Julian Devine Community Center, The Hope Center and Trident United Way Resource Connection Centers. Thank you to sponsors FORVIS, SelectHealth, Humana, UPS, Segra Club at Riley Park and Elliott Davis!

On Thursday, June 22, the Trident United Way Young Leaders United hosted a Lunch & Learn Moving Forward: Equitable Transportation at the Trident United Way offices. Panelists shared incredible insight on challenges and opportunities within our community around transportation and affordable housing, inspiring attendees to engage and advocate! Thank you to panel speakers Daniel Brock (Regional Strategist, BCDCOG), Janice Bergeron (President & CEO, RND Consultants), Katie Zimmerman (Executive Director, Charleston Moves) and Ross Appel (Councileman, City of Charleston), and moderator Travis Frank.

Trident United Way Young Leaders United hosted Cocktails & Conversations on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at the Harbour Club WestEdge. Attendees networked and connected prior to hearing from keynote speaker Giff Daughtridge and participating in three rounds of table discussions led by established philanthropic leaders from the Trident United Way Tocqueville Society.

It was a wonderful evening filled with meaningful conversation and leadership development. Thank you to all who attended!

"Three people laugh while discussing around a table. Similar groups can be seen at other tables in the background."

Mix and Mingle - Members of Trident United Way Young Leaders United joined members from Trident United Way Tocqueville Society for Mix and Mingle, held on April 28th, 2022, at The Harbour Club at WestEdge. Attendees heard from keynote speaker Jeremy Willits and then participated in three rounds of speed-networking discussions, providing the opportunity to connect with other philanthropic leaders in the community. Thank you to all who attended this event!

"Multiple volunteers stand around a pile of carboard boxes, books, and other school supplies."

Back(pack) to School Bash - Around 100 volunteers gathered at Firefly Distillery on August 4th, 2021, to pack the 2,700 backpacks with school supplies, all generously donated through the Trident United Way Young Leaders United school supply drive! The following day UPS personnel loaded and delivered the packed bags to local Title I elementary schools in the Tri-County area.

"A large group of people sits at multiple tables inside of a nice building with large windows revealing the dark outside."

Cocktails & Conversations – February 2020, current and prospective members of YLU enjoyed roundtable mentor sessions with Tocqueville members while enjoying food and drinks from The Workshop concept kitchens.

"Two volunteers lay smiling on top of a large pile of backpacks."

WOW! We are blown away by the success of our Young Leader's United kick off event! The Sip and Serve, sponsored by South Carolina Federal Credit Union, was a backpack packing event where they packed 450 BACKPACKS for Goodwin Elementary School - that's almost the entire school! This well exceeded the goal of packing 300 backpacks!

"A group of attendees sits around a round table and discusses, with similar tables seen in the background. The wall features the word 'Workshop,' underneath which hang a number of cooking supplies."

Cocktails & Conversation – April 2019, current and prospective members of YLU enjoyed roundtable mentor sessions with Tocqueville members while enjoying food and drinks from The Workshop concept kitchens.

"A group of attendees stand and smile near the front of a room."

Lunch & Learn with Hilary Johnson – February 2019, current members of YLU and employees of LS3P enjoyed an informative session with Hilary Johnson, CEO of HatchTribe, over boxed lunches in the beautiful offices of LS3P in downtown Charleston.

"A group of volunteers stands in front of a Christmas tree with a red festive angel on the top."

Holiday Volunteer Project at Neighborhood House – current members brought in covered dishes and gifts and played bingo with the seniors at their holiday party in December 2018.

"Volunteers stand and chat on two sides of a long table. The table is covered in childrens' backpacks and school supplies, being stuffed by the volunteers."

August 2018, Happy hour took on new meaning as we packed book bags with school supplies and encouraging notes for children in need. Charleston Promise Neighborhood received 91 backpacks stuffed with supplies and encouraging notes for children in need.