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| Poster Image by John M. Hoffman |
For sixteen years the popular
fundraiser Art on the Beach & Chefs in the Kitchen has drawn hundreds of
visitors to Sullivan’s Island for an afternoon
house tour replete with over twenty-five artists selling their creations, live
music and tasty treats from chefs and food purveyors. On Sunday, Nov. 8 several architecturally
significant houses, artists’ studios and an historic battery will be part of
the tour benefiting Charleston Pro Bono Services which provides free legal aid
to over 800 people in our community each year.
With so many situations requiring a lawyer, Charleston Pro Bono Services
ensures that the doors of justice are open to all, regardless of income. They match low income clients with attorneys to
help solve problems ranging from custody to contractual issues to paternity.
Typical of their cases is “David”
who, when he approached the agency, was living in a camper after losing his job
due to years of severe bad health. The
Social Security Administration had already denied his claim twice but with the
help of a volunteer attorney from Charleston Pro Bono, David received a
favorable decision that provided a monthly income. Another client, “Mr. Morris”, came seeking
visitation of his son. Since he was not
married to the mother of the child, SC law had awarded the mother full
custody. With the help of a volunteer
attorney, Mr. Morris is now able to
visit his son weekly. Volunteer lawyers
also helped “Ms. Betty” who was being harassed by a usurious loan company who
had taken advantage of her poor mental health.
With the help she received, the loans were resolved. Another client, Mrs. Guerrero needed a
spelling error on her son’s birth certificate corrected. The error had created an avalanche of
problems with school enrollment and obtaining a passport. After the resolution she said, “When the
lawyers from this office helped us to correct the birth certificate then I was
able to get a passport and everything was resolved. So I’m very grateful to the
attorneys who helped us so much.” What
may be a routine case for the volunteer lawyers is often critically important
to the hundreds of clients who seek aid each year since the complexities of the
legal system can often be confusing and frustrating.
Over thirty artists are scheduled to
be on site during the tour to talk to patrons about and sell their creations
ranging from wearable art to paintings.
Many artists come every year including jewelry maker Marion Berry who
said after last year, “Totally enjoyed being an artist at this event. Had a great time meeting everyone that came by and shopped with me.” The celebrated poster artist this year is John Michael Hoffman whose impressionistic paintings are full of vigor, vitality and texture. He will be meeting people at Sandpiper Gallery that day. |
| The VIP party bus will be a lively addition. |
During the event, patrons can drive
or bicycle around Sullivan’s Island using a
map provided with their tickets. A new
option this year offers a VIP ticket with party bus transportation. Tickets for Art on the Beach and Chefs in
the Kitchen are $40 in advance, $45 the day of the tour or VIP tickets for $100
which includes lively, comfortable transportation with libations and
commemorative gifts. Tickets may be purchased on line at http://www.charlestonprobono.org,
at Sandpiper Gallery on Sullivan’s Island or
at the ticket booth at Battery Gadsden (1917 I’On) on Nov. 8 starting at
noon. Sponsors include Jerry and Cheryl Kaynard, Mt. Pleasant Urgent Care, RPWB law
firm, Lucky Dog Publications, Lowcountry Sun Publications, Herlong and
Associates, Pratt-Thomas Walker and area restaurants and food purveyors including the Old Village
Post House, The Granary, Bull’s Bay Saltworks, Palmetto Brewery, Lowcountry Olive Oil and the
Americano.
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