Gift with wings

  • By Jake Blocker
    The Post and Courier
  • Posted: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Thursday, March 22, 2012 8:10 p.m.
  • Text size: A A A
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley recites the 157-word WINGS for Kids creed, and went through some of the gestures Monday at Memminger Elementary School in response to a challenge issued by Charleston attorney Rusty Bennett, who donated $10,000 to the organizati
Wade Spees /The Post and CourierCharleston Mayor Joe Riley recites the 157-word WINGS for Kids creed, and went through some of the gestures Monday at Memminger Elementary School in response to a challenge issued by Charleston attorney Rusty Bennett, who donated $10,000 to the organizati

Charleston attorney Rusty Bennett put his money where Mayor Joe Riley's mouth was Monday afternoon, issuing a challenge to raise money for WINGS for Kids Inc.

The challenge was that if Riley could recite the WINGS creed from memory, Bennett would donate $10,000 to the WING after-school program.

"I did it for such a worthwhile cause," Riley said. "It makes me feel wonderful. The generosity of Rusty Bennett is extraordinary."

WINGS is a nonprofit organization that fosters emotional and social growth in elementary school-age children, teaching them how to behave well, make good decisions and build healthy relationships.

"I have a long history with WINGS and am familiar with the impact it makes in the lives of these kids," Bennett said. "The lessons learned in the program are foundational for everything in life that they do."

Ginny Deerin, founder and chief executive officer of WINGS, said the program's values are reflected in its creed, which states, "I am a friend. I support and trust. Working together is a must."

"A big part of what we teach is how to support each other," Deerin said. "WINGS is the only program that brings a social and emotional education into an after-school program."

Bennett's donation did not go unnoticed by the children attending the after-school program.

"It was great," said Tavaris Mitchell, a second-grader at Memminger Elementary School. "South Carolina's going to be rich."

The program at Memminger serves about 130 students.

"We want to teach the creed and help the students understand it and practice it so when they leave they will have a strong set of 'wings' to carry them through life," Deerin said.

Reach Jake Blocker at 937-5922 or jblocker@postandcourier.com.