We already know Columbia is a strong, loving, and giving community — now’s your chance to let that giving spirit shine. This morning marks the start of Midlands Gives, a day of giving that benefits a variety of local nonprofits across the Midlands.
The annual event hosted by Central Carolina Community Foundation makes it easy to give to local nonprofits that have worked tirelessly both before + throughout the pandemic.
The 18-hour Midlands Gives online giving challenge begins at 6 a.m. and runs through midnight on May 4 | Photo provided
By the numbers:
480+: Record-breaking number of local nonprofits that Midlands Gives supports this year
18: Number of hours the giving challenge lasts
11: Number of counties whose nonprofit organizations Midlands Gives supports
$150,000+: How much money the event offers in prize incentives, matching funds, and more
$12 million: How much has been raised for local nonprofits since Midlands Gives’ inception in 2014
How to participate:
○ Midlands Gives’ online giving platform features a leaderboard, prize tracker, and searchable profiles for participating nonprofits.
○ You can add multiple organizations to a "shopping cart" with donations of $10 or more (think: just two trips to Starbucks — which can add up if you encourage your friends to donate, too).
○ You can also set up monthly or quarterly automated recurring gifts to the nonprofits of your choice.
○ This year, a new nonprofit category and search filter has been added to support organizations that are Black-led + Black-benefiting.
Bonus: Throughout the day, Central Carolina Community Foundation's staff will be broadcasting live from the Foundation's Facebook page to share nonprofit stories, prize announcements, interviews with sponsors + more. Ⓟ
Which nonprofit are you supporting during Midlands Gives?
TryThis
- Star Wars Trivia Night | Tues., May 4 | 7-9 p.m. | The Grand | Free | Show off your Star Wars knowledge at themed trivia. ✨
- May the 4th be With You | Tues., May 4 | 6 p.m.-2 a.m. | Social Bar and Lounge | Free | Come dressed as your favorite Star Wars character. 💫
Talk
WaterCooler
Talk
Arts
- Paint and Pour | Tues., May 4 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Blended Bakery | $40 | Create a masterpiece and munch on hors d’oeuvres. 🎨
PlanAhead
- Art on State | Fri., May 7 | 5-10 p.m. | 100-200 Blocks of State Street | Free | Enjoy live music, local food + beverages during this year’s Art on State. Ⓟ
Cola Compass is hosting a weekly photo contest this month to celebrate National Bike Month and National Preservation Month. Each week, share a photo to your Instagram stories or feed and tag @colacompass + @bluebikesc, then a random winner will be selected to receive a free month from Blue Bike.
#ProTip — Share a photo of your favorite building or local landmark and don’t forget to include why it’s your favorite for bonus points. Happy pedaling. 🚲
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Just use #COLAtoday on social media.
Weather
- 88º | Scattered thunderstorms | 60% chance of rain
Community
- The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program is now open to help provide fresh produce for eligible seniors + support local farmers. The $5 checks are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be spent at approved farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs. (WLTX)
Biz
- Richland Library and LRADAC were selected as 2 of the Top Workplaces in South Carolina for 2021. The library ranked No. 5 in the mid-sized company category and LRADAC’s CEO was named 1 of the top leaders of the year.
Arts
- Steel Hand Brewing is looking for 8-10 artists to attend the Woodstock event on May 29, which will feature live music, live tie dye + more. Interested artists can apply to sell their one-of-a-kind items here.
TodayIs
- National Teacher Appreciation Week and we want to know who’s giving away freebies for area educators because they deserve all the treats. If you know of any, do us a solid and let us know here so we can help spread the word. 🍎
Edu
- The 2021 My First Library program, through the Original Six Foundation, is providing 1,250+ kindergarten students summer reading books to 16 SC schools. The book fairs will be held in 8 school districts, including Richland County, that the Department of Education has determined as the highest-need areas. 📚
Cause
- Harvest Hope is in need of 30+ volunteers this week to help pack 1,000 boxes of food at the facility located at 1117 Bluff Industrial Blvd. to be distributed in the Midlands community. Interested in lending a hand? Sign up for 1 or more of the open shifts from 9 a.m-11 a.m. here.
- Nephron Pharmaceuticals recently partnered with the American Red Cross of South Carolina for a blood drive at their West Columbia campus. ICYMI, Nephron donated $50,000 to the organization last year. Ⓟ
WaterCooler
- The Gamecocks have 2 top women’s golfers to keep an eye out fore. Both No. 1 Pauline Roussin-Bouchard + No. 2 Ana Pelaez have set multiple program records and the team is heading to the NCAA Women’s Golf Playoffs May 10-12. (The State)
- Shane Beamer and the Gamecock football team have received a commitment from a 3-star linebacker, who was previously expected to play at the University of Georgia. Donovan Westmoreland is the third commitment in the previous week, in addition to 4-star quarterback Braden Davis + safety Tyrese Ross. (The State)
Number
- 500. The number of wins that Pelion’s baseball coach, Barry Fogle, reached last week. The wins have been added together over his 34-year career, including the 21 years he has coached the Pelion Panthers. ⚾ (Cola Daily)
Dish
- Still figuring out your Mother’s Day brunch plans? Enter: The Grand, offering a gourmet omelet station in addition to its regular menu, plus build-your-own Bloody Marys. 🥂Ⓟ
Shop
- ICYMI, you can score this CAE hat, this shirt + more from Columbia Metropolitan Airport’s new online store. Browse all CAE swag here. 🛍️Ⓟ
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