AEC Punches Back at the Coronavirus

AEC’s Toy & Gift Giveaway

  • On Saturday, December 19, 2020, AEC sponsored a drive-through toy distribution for 144 families (417 children). AEC wishes to thank all of its partners, especially the Deep Well Project, the residents of Palmetto Dunes, Hilton Head First Presbyterian Church’s Knitters Club, the Salvation Army, and all others who supported this worthy cause.  
  • On Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020, AEC also sponsored a toy distribution for 50 families in Estill, SC (Hampton County). 

Donations of Backpacks Filled with School Supplies for Nearly 500 Students

Because learning matters so much, even during these challenging times facing the Coronavirus, AEC donated Christmas gifts of brand new backpacks filled with school supplies to Whale Branch Elementary and Middle Schools in Beaufort County. There is no limit to what we can do when we ALL work together!

AEC Takes a Huge Punch at Coronavirus by Upgrading its Legal Assistance Services

  • Since March of 2020, AEC has received a record number of requests from residents of Jasper, Beaufort, and Hampton Counties … all seeking assistance with legal matters, such as power of attorneys, wills, landlord tenant issues, employment rights, and more.
  • AEC reached out and asked South Carolina Legal Services, Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, and the University of South Carolina Law School for assistance in serving these Lowcountry residents. They all agreed to pitch in and provide assistance. As a result, literally hundreds of people have been served because of these strong partnerships. The quality of life increases greatly as organizations, businesses, and agencies come together for the purpose of serving our communities. Thank you!

Thanksgiving Dinner Distribution

AEC held its annual Thanksgiving Day Give Back Dinner, providing 1,000 catered meals to Jasper County residents. Multiple news outlets covered the event. Read more in our Newsfeed …

Food Distribution

  • AEC stepped up and fed 1,000 students during the Jasper County School District’s 2020 Spring Break.
  • AEC feeds many of Jasper County’s low-income residents through its food pantries in Coosawhatchie, Pineland, and Tarboro.
  • AEC’s food pantries have added additional days of distribution to provide additional food for Jasper County’s residents.
  • Because of the generosity of Jasper County’s neighbors (especially Hilton Head Island), AEC has more than doubled its food distribution.
  • Much of this help has been made possible with the help of AEC’s partners: Hilton Head First Presbyterian Church’s Work-in-Progress Ministry, Second Helpings, Lowcountry Food Bank, and All Saints Episcopal Church (HHI)). Work-in-Progress and other dedicated volunteers repeatedly shop, fill many vehicles, and then travel to Jasper County to help feed many of their neighbors who are in need.
  • A very special thanks to our partners who have enabled AEC to serve literally thousands upon thousands of households since the onset of the horrific Coronavirus.

Rental and Mortgage Relief and Utility Assistance

  • AEC works to provide rental and mortgage assistance relief to Jasper County residents.
  • AEC also assists some of Jasper County’s low-income residents through referrals to Deep Well.
  • AEC works to provide utility assistance to Jasper County residents, as well as through some of its partners (United Way of the Lowcountry, Beaufort-Jasper EOC, and the Salvation Army).

Drive-Thru School Supplies & Food Distribution

  • AEC collects school supplies and funds to help some of Jasper County’s low-income children.
  • AEC, and its partners, will host two drive-through school supply events during the 2020-2021 school year.
  • AEC provided school supplies for all of Jasper County’s Head Start students during the 2020-2021 school year.
  • AEC also provided much needed school uniforms to an estimated 1,000 Jasper County students for the 2021-2022 school year.
  • Thank you to the many volunteers, especially the Michelle Obama Club, who assisted in providing these much needed items.

Increasing Backpack Buddies Program

  • Because of the increasing support of the Beaufort and Jasper County communities, AEC will provide backpacks to 700 low-income students per week during the 2021-2022 school year.
  • Due to the generosity of the Lowcountry residents, AEC has by far the largest Backpack Buddies program in the state of South Carolina.
  • Overall, AEC provides 700 backpacks to elementary school students in the Jasper County School District, specifically 250 at Hardeeville Elementary and 450 at Ridgeland Elementary.
  • This tremendous increase was made possible by the strong partnerships AEC maintains with the Lowcountry Foodbank, the Deep Well Project, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, All Saints Episcopal Church, and First Presbyterian Church’s WIP Ministry.