A Basketfull of Hope

Carolina One’s Charleston Central office on Orleans Road hosted a fundraiser last week, benefitting the Charleston Basket Brigade, a 501(c)3 dedicated to bringing the community together to feed families in need at Thanksgiving in the area. According to Karena Sturgis, a realtor with Carolina One, it costs $30 to put together a basket of food that feeds a family of six to eight people for Thanksgiving. Sturgis says that Carolina One raised $1,890 last Thursday, enough to feed 63 needy families in the Charleston area.
On Tuesday before Thanksgiving hundreds of local volunteers will help assemble the baskets (actually boxes) full of all the makings of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, from turkey and sweet potatoes to dressing and gravy to cranberry sauce and more.
According to Sturgis, Carolina One supports several charities but the Charleston Basket Brigade is the largest one and one that hits close to home, particularly this time of year. “There’s unfortunately a real need,” says Sturgis. Families are identified through local schools and churches according to need. Sturgis serves on a committee of seven at Carolina One who work on the Basket Brigade fundraising. She says the goal for the company is to ultimately raise $10,000 for the charity.
Sturgis and her fellow Carolina One realtors invited clients, agents from other companies, all surrounding businesses, and community members  they’re in contact with to come out and enjoy a lobster roll and contribute to the cause.
Local food truck The Immortal Lobster came out to Carolina One’s Orleans Road office, donating a portion of every delicious lobster roll to the cause. Eighty-six lunches were served. Plus there was a silent auction with some great prizes, ranging from a night at Charleston Place Hotel to gift certificates to area restaurants and gift baskets from Holy City Brewing, Firefly Vodka, and much more, including a complete Thanksgiving meal from Swig & Swine.
“The community just really came together and did an amazing job. It was wonderful how many people participated.” said Sturgis.