Charities awarded grants

Eleven local charities received grants totaling $85,000 this week thanks to a group called Women Making a Difference.

"This is huge," said Sloan Cooper, executive director of Pattison's Academy. The $9,000 grant it received will pay to rent buses for the children with severe disabilities it serves.

"Without it, these kids would not be able to go on field trips," Cooper said. "This allows them to be able to get out of their house, even out of their bed, and do activities that typical children do at camp."

The other charities that received grants are: Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding, HALOS, Louie's Kids, Lowcountry Food Bank, Lowcountry Orphan Relief, Magdalene House, Operation Home, Our Lady of Mercy Outreach, Teacher's Supply Closet and WINGS for Kids.

The charities received grants Wednesday. Katie Dukes, one of three founders, said the annual event is her favorite night of the year.

"I think it's important for our membership to understand that every dollar they give makes a difference in the life of a woman or a child," Dukes said. "And hopefully tonight they see the organizations, what they do, how they're actually helping, and that we are hopefully keeping one woman or one child off the streets, or helping one child lose weight that couldn't otherwise do it, and that we're making a huge difference."

Women Making a Difference is a giving circle, a group of women who have joined forces to pool their money and make a considerable impact on the community, particularly by providing grants to local initiatives working to enhance the quality of life for area women and children. Since its inception in 2002, it has generated more than $450,000 to fund local grants.

The group is striving to build a community of women philanthropists, and membership is open to all women.

Visit WomenMakingADifference.com.

Reach Kristen Hankla at 937-5548 or khankla@postandcourier.com