Recent News

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07/29/2010

Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties:

Coastal Community Foundation awarded seventeen grants through the Charles Webb/Ed Croft Endowment totaling $69,800.

The Charles Webb-Ed Croft Endowment was established in 1994 by the Board of Directors of the Charles Webb Center to help special needs children in Berkeley, Charleston,and Dorchester Counties. A special needs child is defined as any child diagnosed with a disability, whether it be mental or physical. This encompasses any child with hearing, vision, or speech impairment; orthopedic, muscular, or neurologic problems; mental retardation; or any other debilitating disease or injury.

In 1928, Charles Webbís son, Rutledge, was diagnosed with polio. With the help of friend Ed Croft, Webb convinced the Rotary Club of Charleston to establish the Crippled Childrenís Society of Charleston County, which provided services for disabled children.

Charles Webb passed in 1962 but his legacy continues today. Shortly after his death, the Charles Webb Center opened. When the Center was sold in 1996, part of the money made was used to start the Charles Webb-Ed Croft Endowment. This endowment awards grants to those organizations catering to children with special needs. Grant applications are accepted by invitation only and from nonprofit organizations or those sponsored by nonprofit organizations. The Webb-Croft Endowment is the largest field-of-interest endowment at Coastal Community Foundation with $1 million as an initial investment.


This yearís grant recipients:

Adaptive Gardens of the Lowcounty allows 70 special needs students tend the garden on Thornhill Farm during the school year.

Berkeley Citizens, Inc provides respite care for families of disabled children ages 6 to 17 and also holds an event annually to help raise money for respite care.

Camp Good Times of Charleston is a three week summer camp for children with Autism and their non-autistic peers.

Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding Inc helps preschool children with developmental delays or other specific disabilities.

Charleston Miracle League, Inc gives children with special needs the opportunity to play baseball and learn about being part of a team.

Childrenís Museum of the Lowcounty opens it doors one Saturday a month to children with special needs and their families so they have the chance to experience the museum and participate in activities they would not normally have the means to participate in.

Disabilities Foundation of Charleston County, Inc helps raise money for the Disabilities Board of Charleston County to help families with special needs children meet immediate and critical needs.

Dorchester Board of Disabilities & Special Needs gives children with developmental disabilities, mental retardation, autism, and other related disabilities the chance to be included in a community.

Family Connection of South Carolina, Inc invites special needs children and their parents to participate in events where they can gain social skills, build friendships, and have a good time.

Family Resource Center for Disabilities and Special Needs helps families understand and locate special education and other services for special needs children.

MUSC Foundation ñ Camp Hand to Hand is a one week day camp for children ages 3 to 5 with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. The camp uses constraint-induced movement therapy as an innovative approach to help the children.

Pattinsonís DREAM Academy helps children with multiple disabilities by integrating education and rehabilitation.

Rein and Shine Horses That Heal is a program that helps special needs children of all levels through horseback riding therapy.

Special Olympics of South Carolina ñ Area 6 allows athletes with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports and be recognized for their achievements.

Summerville Miracle League gives children with special needs in the Summerville area the chance to play baseball and be part of a team.

Wando Community Education integrates special needs children and non-special needs children in an after school program.

Walk for Autism ñ Charleston is an event to bring awareness to and raise funds for Autism.