The 30th Annual Charleston Boat Show has issued a fund-raising challenge to the 27th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival to see which event can raise the most money for the people of Haiti. All proceeds will go directly to Water Missions International to provide clean drinking water.

The Facts

The goal is to see which event can raise the largest amount of donations for Water Missions International’s efforts in Haiti.

100 percent of all donations will go directly to Water Missions International, headquartered in Charleston (West Ashley behind Seacoast Church)

Water Missions International has already sent 32 water purification systems to Haiti but many more are needed.

Water Missions International has committed a total of 100 water systems to the people of Haiti to address their water crisis.

Each system provides clean water for up to 5,000 people per day.

$25,000-$35,000 will fund one safe-water, disaster, response project.

A safe-water, disaster-response project includes the construction of a water purification system, transportation to Haiti, set-up and staffing throughout the disaster. After the immediate need has been met, the system is then relocated to a permanent, sustainable location, continuing to provide to the people of Haiti. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving!

If every attendee at the Boat Show and the Oyster Festival donates $5, we can fund two disaster-response projects in Haiti.

The Charleston Boat Show and the Lowcountry Oyster Festival are two of the most popular, well-attended events in the Lowcountry. Jacqui Bomar and Kathy Britizus, the event producers, would like to utilize the recognition of their events as a way to get patrons involved in helping out.

While the challenge is real, the Charleston Boat Show and the Lowcountry Oyster Festival seek to dramatically and jointly expedite the efforts of Water Missions International in Haiti. Time is of the essence.

With the help of boat- and oyster-lovers alike, everyone can help bring clean water to the people of Haiti.

The Events

Charleston Boat Show:
January 22 – 24 (Friday, Noon‐6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.‐6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.‐5 p.m.)
Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston (FREE parking)
Tickets are $8 per adult (bring 5 canned goods for the Lowcountry Food Bank and receive $2 off)

Lowcountry Oyster Festival:
Sunday, January 31 (10:30 a.m.–5 p.m.)
Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant (FREE parking)
Tickets are $10 per person in advance and $12 per person at the door

Follow the challenge on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoatsVsOysters.

It has been almost a full 24 hours that we’ve been on lock down at the Trio Compound. JM and I are struggling a bit but still working away for our CreateAthon recipients and the communities they serve. Super sleepy but very excited to present the projects to the clients!

Marketing plan…check! Logo…check! Banner…check! And the creative juices are still flowing. CreateAthon 09 in effect!

We’re about to finish up the Palmetto Medical Initiative marketing and communications plan…and WOW…they are an amazing bunch! Be sure to check out their Web site to learn more about their organization and how you can help make a difference.

Next up…The Good Neighbor Center. Another worthwhile cause that we are honored to be working with. Check out this story written in the Post & Courier last year…and let’s all try to be a little bit more appreciative of our Lowcountry Veterans. Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do for us and for our country!

Things are going well over here in the Creative Quarters of Trio! Just saw the logo designs for the Charleston Area Children’s Garden Project and once again, our designer
extraordinaire has outdone herself! Looks awesome, Roxy!

Working on the banner and rack card for Liza’s Lifeline now. Big shout outs to George with Expotrade Exhibits and Brent with Professional Printers for their discounted pricing for the materials needed to complete these projects! These new marketing pieces will definitely help this organization in their mission to provide education, support and awareness about the dangers of domestic violence.

Lots more going on and we’ll report back soon. Holla!

And we’re off! The 2009 CreateAthon has begun and the Trio crew is back in action. We’re super excited about the five non profits that we’ll be helping this year! Getting ready to hold a strategic planning meeting with Charleston Community Sailing…and away we go!

Trio recently had the opportunity to work with the Kiawah Island Community Association (KICA) to promote the purchase of Parcel 23 to their members. The purchase of this land will allow the association to secure a one-of-a-kind piece of real estate on the island. This plat of land is approximately 15.3 acres with natural buffers on all sides and home to a variety of native wildlife. This distinctive piece of real estate is the only one of its kind centrally located on the island. Unfortunately, this land is at risk of being developed and is presently zoned to accommodate up to 67 residential units. We are excited to know that KICA received their quorum of votes but we won’t know the outcome until after Dec. 18, 2008 at 5 p.m. The economy may hurt them in getting this passed but it will be nice to know that if it does pass, another large tract of land will be conserved and if developed in the future will be used for parks or however the property owners see fit.

Election Night in Grant Park from Justin Allen on Vimeo.

October has arrived. Do you know what that means? Yes, crisp fall weather is on its way and it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll top last year’s Halloween costume. But more importantly, The Nonprofit Nook’s October workshop is just around the corner!

Join us on October 15 from 5:30 until 7 p.m. for our workshop on the benefits of setting up an annual marketing budget and how to measure your results. Great economy or horrible economy - these benefits are important to realize and put into action. Jessica Munday, president of Trio Solutions Inc., will be hosting the workshop and will discuss not only the benefits of a budget, but will also show how to measure your return on investment dollars, as well as how to monitor your budget. Visit The Nonprofit Nook to register or call us at (843) 216-0442 for more information.

We have been non-stop since 8 a.m. this morning and we are knocking projects out! I have completed the coupon book for LEEP and designed the Web site for Field to Families. We are continuing to finish up the design for Camp Good Times… many more hours ahead of us, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I can’t wait for everyone to see our finished products! They are going to be awesome! To see the clients reaction will be worth all the effort everyone is putting in tonight.

Are you into Twitter? Be sure to follow Trio Solutions Inc.’s CreateAthon progress. Lots of great creative juices flowing.