HeARTist, John Agostino enjoys riding the Dutch bicycle around Hampton Park

HEART offers this handcrafted Dutch Bicycle to the first person that donates $1,500 to HEART's Special Needs Nature Field Trips GoFundMe Campaign

Local designer and HEART supporter, Ben Gibbins created and donated a Dutch bicycle for HEART to transport our recreational equipment to the park. HEART loves Ben! We quickly outgrew the bike and put it in our first annual fundraiser, Big HEART Raffle. The bike was our most valued at $1,600 and popular raffle item. It raised the most money for HEART that night. HEART supporter, Emily Barrett won the bike and donated it back to HEART for further fundraising efforts. Emily, you rock!

Today, HEART offers this handcrafted Dutch Bicycle to the first person that donates $1,500 to HEART's Special Needs Nature Field Trips GoFundMe Campaign

Chris Peery learning video production at HEART

THIS CAMPAIGN RAISED $16,500--THANK YOU MIDGE, CHRIS, & FRIENDS!

HeARTist, Chris Peery and his mother, Midge have taken HEART's nature field trip fundraising campaign to the next level and are giving it their all! Chris who works part-time at Krispy Kreme donated $200 of his own money to HEART! Midge wanted to make Chris's contribution go further by setting up a MARGARET M. PEERY IRREVOCABLE TRUST matching grant challenge. Midge says;

"I will match every dollar you give on or before September 30,2016, up to $5,000. All donations will be tax deductible because HEART is a 501c3 organization. I am asking you to consider adding HEART to your list of worthy causes – to make a donation. No amount is too small."

Below, I have copied Midge's letter to her family and friends. In it, she describes what HEART means to her and Chris. Midge sent out 58 personalized emails and will be mailing letters to those who are not on email. We could not be more grateful for Midge's generosity, passion, support, and hard work!

MIDGE'S LETTER...

August 14, 2016

Dear Friends and Family,

Chris and I have found a wonderful organization that works with special needs adults. The name of the group is HEART. HEART has been serving the greater Charleston area for the last two years. Please go to http://www.heartsc.org/mission/ to learn what they have accomplished in those two years. Chris has been a member of HEART for the last six months. Both of us think it is heaven on earth.

HEART had planned to help support itself and continue its growth by establishing a small business, HEART's Handmade. The Heartists would make dog biscuits and bow ties, and sell them at a farmers market. HEART is making a course correction because SC state law said “no”. HEART is establishing itself as a professional Artist Guild and Theatre Company for adults (21+) with disabilities. Their mission is to provide an innovative art and theatre community that promotes creative expression, independence, dignity and community integration for adults with disabilities. HEART provides professional artist mentors to work with the Heartists and support them in their self-expression. They produce quarterly “community invited” visual and performing art shows called heART Shows. It’s wonderful to see the community show up in support and witness the pride the Heartists exude. In July, they produced a musical adaptation of Happy Days where Chris played the role of Richie Cunningham and danced the twist. Chris’s favorite classes so far are drumming, yoga, dance and puppetry.

Because the cost of activity programming, monthly field trips, and associated transportation needs (heavily financed $20,000 bus) overwhelm the monthly membership fees, HEART has obtained supplemental funding through fundraisers and several financial grants. It is seeking to obtain further grant support and is also looking for an experienced grant writer to help with this project. HEART faces the difficult financial goal of covering $10,000 in annual expenses for twice a month nature field trips to Blissful Dreams at Tuxbury Farm on the Wando River and once a month Eco field trips via Barrier Island Eco Tours. These nature field trips inspire HEART members in their art, stagecraft, and life. Chris loves these trips where Heartist ride and groom horses, do farm chores, take nature walks, make nature inspired art, learn about ecology, engage in river play and have picnic lunches.

Chris at Tuxbury Farm on Wando River with HEART

HEART is asking for the community’s financial help in funding its programing and transportation needs. In support of this effort, I have established a Margaret Peery match campaign. I will match every dollar you give on or before September 30,2016, up to $5,000. Our donations will be tax deductible because HEART is a 501c3 organization. I am asking you to consider adding HEART to your list of worthy causes – to make a donation. No amount is too small.

Checks should be made payable to HEART, indicating Margaret Peery Match, and mailed to 611 Rutledge Avenue Apartment B, Charleston, SC 29403.

You can read and see more about the Heartists and their program activities on the web page heartsc.org. There are several pictures of Chris in the five minutes video on the homepage. There is also a page called ‘MEET THE HEARTISTS’ where you can look at each member’s gallery of photos.

Thanks everyone for any help you can give.

Much love,

Midge