During its monthly meetings at Bessinger’s Barbecue on Savannah Highway, the West Ashley-James Island Business Association (WAJIBA) typically offers local businesses and the public programs with a variety of speakers, who talk about issues important to the local community, ranging from politics to development, from traffic to business. But on Wednesday, Nov. 15 WAJIBA veered from its usual meeting format to give back to the community. In total the non-profit business group donated to three different organizations.
WAJIBA president Bradley Adams handed representatives from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Carolina Youth Development Center, The Charles Webb Center, and the West Ashley High School DECA club checks in the amount of $1,000 each.
“This time of year there are so many great organizations doing great things, but the [WAJIBA] board felt that these three organizations were important because they all deal with youth in our immediate community,” said Adams, who is the co-owner of A&A Insurance on Sam Rittenberg Blvd.
This was the second year in a row WAJIBA has donated to the Charles Webb Center, which is located Evergreen Street in the Ardmore neighborhood. A developmental day care operated by the Disabilities Board of Charleston County, the Charles Webb Center focuses on children with special needs from age 6 weeks to 10 years old. Director of the Charles Webb Center Darneyelle Washington was on hand to receive the $1,000 and tell WAJIBA members and guests exactly what they do at the center and how the money will help.
It was also the second time WAJIBA has given to Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). Christina Hoffecker, local director of BBBS, was on hand to accept the check and tell the group about how many children in the Lowcountry they match up with mentors every year and how many more are on a waiting list waiting to be matched.
For Adams, BBBS has a special place in his heart. He has been actively involved in the program for the last four years, serving as a “Big” to two local children. “It’s just my way of personally giving back,” he said. “And I get just as much out of being a mentor as the they do. Maybe more. We take so much for granted every day that it really helps me appreciate the guidance I had growing up and helps me be a better parent.” For the fourth year in a row Adams will host a toy drive for BBBS at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16 at Sojourn Coffee, located at 1664 Old Towne Road.
While Adams has a personal connection to Big Brothers Big Sisters, he sees West Ashley High School’s DECA club as a fitting organization for a business group to donate to. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. The West Ashley chapter had a couple representatives on hand to accept the check and talk to the group about what they do at the school and how the donation will help.
“On behalf of all our DECA members, I’d like to thank WAJIBA for this generous donation,” said Terry Stutts Jr., the DECA advisor at West Ashley High School. “The kids are blown away by it!”
