CCDP: Share with the Community!

Donate to the CCDP Blessing Box

The Charleston County Democratic Party needs a hand with some of our efforts to help the local community, including the Blessing Box in front of the CCDP Office in West Ashley. Our Blessing Box serves a clientele with few to no facilities for cooking. If you would like to help stock the Blessing Box, you can leave items in the Box at any time or drop off items at the Office (open Wednesdays 11-1 or by appointment).

When donating items for the Blessing Box:

DO donate non-perishable items that will hold up in the weather.
- canned vegetables and meats/fish, sauces in jars, boxes of rice or pasta are all good to donate.
- to make it easier for others to use the Blessing Box: donate items that don’t require milk/butter/oil to prepare, and get cans with pop-tops that don’t require can openers.
DO donate small personal care items that will fit in the blessing box.
- examples include toothbrushes, toothpaste and deodorant.
DO NOT donate any open or expired items.

Thank you! Everything contributed to the Blessing Box makes a great difference for our community.

Lowcountry Period Project Supplies Needed!

Additionally, did you know that our volunteers build period packs in support of the Homeless Period Project? The project provides pre-made kits for homeless shelters and nurse’s offices at Title IX schools in the Lowcountry. These items are a luxury to homeless women and girls, and many are forced to choose between hygiene and food. Please consider donating the following items so that we can continue to support this amazing project!

individually-wrapped feminine pads
individually-wrapped tampons
individually-wrapped wipes
individually-wrapped panty liners

Email wecare@charlestondemocrats.com to arrange a drop off time, or come attend a County meeting at the Office to see for yourself.

Thanks again for your generosity!

Nominations for CCDP Chair/Vice Chair

The CCDP nominating committee is still seeking nominations and applicants who are interested in serving as the next CCDP Chair or Vice Chair. If you wish to serve or nominate someone for one of these positions, please click on the “Apply Now” Button below. Applicants are encouraged to submit a one-page resume or brief description of why they want to serve as Chair or Vice Chair.The application window will be open through tonight, February 15th. The nominating committee will share its recommendations prior to the Charleston County Convention.

(As a reminder: the First Vice Chair shall be of a gender different from the Chair, the Second Vice Chair shall be of a race different from the Chair, and the Third Vice Chair shall be between the ages of 18 and 36 years of age. These officers shall be residents and voters in Charleston County and serve a two-year term.)

Apply Now

Join the East Cooper Democrats Leadership Team!

South Carolina’s Democratic Presidential Primary will be the first in the nation making this one of the most exciting times to get involved in the Democratic Party!

Have you wanted to get more involved but needed help figuring out where to start? Here’s your chance! The East Cooper Democrats want energetic, passionate members to join our leadership team in the Mt Pleasant area!

The leadership team’s duties include:

Planning our monthly meetings.
Putting out our monthly newsletter.
Representing East Cooper Democrats with our county party.
Organizing the East Cooper precincts and GOTV efforts.

The leadership team meets monthly to plan our club events or, at a minimum, has quarterly meetings per the bylaws. The time commitment is usually less than 5 hours a month. We are looking for a team of 7 to commit for the next two years. If you are interested, please email eastcooper@charlestondemocrats.com. Please include your name, email, and phone number, and the nominating committee will reach out to you.

South Carolina Legislature UpdateThe Republican-controlled South Carolina legislature started its new year in January and has already started acting on a number of extreme pieces of legislation. We’ll be spending the next few weeks looking at how the state legislature is handling several important issues, and this week we’re covering abortion and reproductive health legislation.

Abortion & Reproductive Health
In January the SC Supreme Court ruled that a 6-week ban violates the SC Constitution, and the reaction among Republicans has been harsh.

The only female on the Supreme Court (and author of the ruling that struck down the 6-week ban) retired in January, and on Feb 8 the legislature replaced her with a male justice. South Carolina is now the only state in the United States with an all-male Supreme Court.

Both the SC House and SC Senate are moving ahead with attempts to ban abortion. The House bill bans abortion at conception with some exceptions for rape, incest, fetal abnormalities and the mother’s health. Republican co-sponsors of H 3552 and H 3774 in Charleston County include Gary Brewer, Joe Bustos, Kathy Landing and Matt Leber.
The Senate bill bans abortion at 6 weeks and removes exceptions for rape or incest after 12 weeks. S 0474 has already passed the Senate and must be reconciled with whatever the House finally passes. Charleston-area Republican senators who voted for the abortion ban include Sean Bennett, Chip Campsen and Brian Adams.
The bills passing through both chambers of the legislature would require doctors to document their visits with patients, would create financial penalties and time in jail for doctors, and leave open the ability to prosecute friends and family for helping a woman to procure an abortion.

Some Other Republican Reproductive Health Bills:

A bill introduced in the SC House (H 3579) would add abortion to the manslaughter charge.
H 3549 in the SC House would define an embryo as a “person” and would dramatically alter the rights a woman holds over her body. Charleston-area Representatives Kathy Landing and Matt Leber are co-sponsors.

Tell Your State Representative & Senator to Vote Against H 3552, H 3774, and S 0474

Democratic Reproductive Health Bills:
Democrats in the legislature are using their voices in the SC House to promote reproductive freedom, and using their numbers in the SC Senate to fight the most radical legislation from passing.

H 3911 (“Reproductive Freedom Bill of Rights Act”) in the SC House would guarantee the right of a woman to an abortion up to the point of viability and would help offer quality prenatal and postnatal care. Democratic Representatives Spencer Wetmore, Marvin Pendarvis and Leon Stavrinakis are co-sponsors, and the bill is currently being reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee.
S 0349 in the SC Senate would add a section to the SC Constitution that would guarantee that the state will not interfere with reproductive decisions or healthcare.

Tell your State Representative to Support H 3911

Upcoming Events

MON
FEB 20
6 PM

James Island/Folly Beach Democrats — February Meeting

Join us on February 20th at the James Island Town Hall (sign in and social time at 6:00; meeting starts at 6:30)

Our primary topic for the month is Party Organization from the precinct level to the State Convention and everything in between.

This will also be our last meeting before the March 12th Oyster Roast and we will need everyone’s help to make this another successful fundraiser and a heck of a good time.

RSVP Here>James Island Town Hall>

TUE
FEB 21
6:30PM

St. Paul’s Democrats Club Meeting

Because our regular meeting day is Ash Wednesday, the St. Paul’s Democrats Club will meet at the St. Paul’s/Hollywood Library, 5130 SC-165, in Hollywood, on TUESDAY, February 21, at 6:30 pm instead.

You can also join us by video and by conference call, via Zoom using the link below and Meeting ID: 875 2758 5645 with Passcode: STPaulclub.

Zoom Link>St. Paul’s/Hollywood Library>

TUE
FEB 28
7 PM

East Cooper Democrats Monthly MeetingJ

oin us for our monthly meeting. We will elect our new leadership team members to lead us into the 2024 General Election.

RSVP Here>Snowden Community Center>

SUN
MAR 12
3 PM

James Island/Folly Beach Annual Oyster Roast

Join the fun at our annual event — in addition to Bowen’s wonderful oysters there will be varieties of chili, hot dogs, fried fish and red rice.Beer, wine and water will be available for purchase at the event.Save $5 by using this link to buy tickets in advance versus purchasing on the day of the oyster roast.

RSVP Here>Bowens Island Restaurant>

THU
8:30AM

Coffee with Democrats

Join fellow Democrats for a cup of coffee and great conversation on Thursdays.at Wildflour Pastry from 8:30-10 AM. No specific topics. Come for the whole time or just a little while.

Wildflour Pastry>

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