Read what some of our volunteers have to say about the CBB!

Got something to share? Please tell us your story in the comments at the bottom of the page…

“This year’s Basket Brigade is now in the history books. It seems as if every year we learn a little more about how to make it better.

You ladies developed this event 13 years ago with a special thought well within your hearts. You then made it one of the biggest donation events in the Tri-County area. Kudos to you and all that have supported event over the years!

I feel honoured to be a part of it all and really look forward to making it happen all years passed and many years to come.

Thanks for inviting us to being a small part of this organisation. We all know the recipients are in need of this program and starts the Holidays out in the right direction. It’s all about giving!”

Craig Kelly
Piggly Wiggly / Lowcountry Grocers

“Thank you so much. What an awesome event. Especially for people like me that are new to the area and empty nesters! Great change of pace!  I love Charleston! What a giving city! Happy Thanksgiving!”

Karen S.

“Great job in the organisation of Basket Brigade!  I had my daughter, little grandsons, and their cousin in tow. It was a very important lesson for all of us.  I’ll be there next year!!”

Rosamund L.

I chose to deliver boxes with a friend/parent to homes on Johns Island. It was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and the first house we pulled up to had broken windows with sheets hanging over them, it was cold and chilly. Some of the buildings people used as addresses looked like there was not any running water or electricity in them and they had sheets for walls inside what looked like an old cinderblock building with only two sides. At the very first house, a man came out and thanked us over and over, we were halfway to the door with the boxes and he insisted that we put them down and said he would carry them across the yard. His eyes filled with tears as he thanked us. Needless to say, my friend and I cried most of the morning, each home appeared more heartbreaking than the previous. It was one of the coolest things that I have done. It really makes you feel good when you do something for someone less fortunate than you.”

Jenny W.

This was my first year participating in the Basket Brigade event! Me, my brother-in-law, and my daughter joined forces. I had signed up a month prior to do box delivery. It is Tuesday before Thanksgiving and (3) days prior to this day, my husbands’ father passed away. I didn’t know with all the emotional events taking place in our household, whether I could hold up to my commitment. I am so glad that I did!! What an awesome feeling to give families less fortunate the opportunity for a Thanksgiving meal that they would not have had otherwise. I feel blessed beyond measure and will most definitely continue be a part of this heartwarming event!”

Lisa W.

“I went and volunteered at the basket brigade this week after seeing it mentioned in one of your newsletters (helped with setup on Monday and made some deliveries yesterday in Wadmalaw) – what an incredible operation that was to see!  It was fun to take part, so I appreciate your newsletters!  Thank you.”

Sue

“Giving thanks for giving back at work”

I recently changed professions to follow a lifelong passion for “home.” Change is exciting yet scary even in the best circumstances. Change comes with doubt like wondering did I make the right change, did I join the right company, have I positioned myself for success in business and life?

Today, those doubts disappeared. I am thankful for joining a philanthropic company. Carolina One Real Estate founded the “Charleston Basket Brigade,” where an army of volunteers coupled with local businesses join together to prepare and deliver boxed meals for local families in need ~ over 20,000 meals distributed in the Charleston area. The Brigade partners are BI-LO, Momentum Marketing, and Communities in the Schools.

My husband and I volunteered as “drivers” where we distributed meals to actual family homes. As we arrived for duty early this morning in a constant driving rain, we were overwhelmed by the sheer number of volunteers from giving parking lot instruction to packing meals to loading each of the volunteer vehicles with the meal boxes; obviously endless man-hours were spent just planning driving routes and maps to get the drivers to the family homes not to mention planning, organizing, collecting food, collecting money, and wooing sponsors. A well-oiled machine of smiling faces and warm “happy thanksgiving” wishes sent us en route.

The Charleston Basket Brigade’s motto is “When a community comes together, magic happens,” and it did. Humbly, I am thankful for the changes in my life and thankful for giving back at work.”

Shannon P.