That’s right….he is back once again…..but this year he is fifty seven friends strong. Mike Gorski and his Friends have generously secured $57,000 that will now be used to match dollar-for-dollar donations made by you, the residents of Kiawah, Seabrook, and Johns Islands.
Yes folks! They are matching dollar-for-dollar of your donations made, it’s a win-win for both Backpack Buddies programs which are Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island and the Backpack Buddies Group of Kiawah Women’s Foundation. The two organizations are both 501(c)(3) nonprofits whose mission is to feed local, hungry, school children on the weekends. These children receive breakfast and lunch at school but are food insecure on weekends and school holidays. As you can imagine, they have had to adjust their distribution efforts to provide weekly bags of food to hungry children to include in person students along with also trying to reach virtual students. They are currently providing approximately 400 weekly bags to children on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. At the request, of community social workers, they are also assisting 30 of the most “at risk” of hunger households with weekly large family bags of groceries. As more students begin to go back to school, we anticipate our weekly bag count to return to 600 plus level.
Mike Gorski, Owner of Island Transportation, launched this project 5 years ago to help raise additional funds for both Backpack Buddies’ programs. Each year the Challenge has proven to be more successful to raise funds for these 2 separate programs that serve so many children in need. Here is the yearly recap:
2017 – $ 8,800
2018 – $28,000
2019 – $40,000
2020 – $80,000
2021 – This year’s goal $100,000
But he needs your help to achieve this lofty goal. Some resident donations have been coming in and Mike reports that we are off to a good start but the momentum needs to continue and the donations need to keep coming in. Like it has already been stated, the Friends are matching your donations made dollar-for-dollar. All of your donations are tax-deductible as permitted by law.
Making a resident donation is very easy. Just call or text Mike Gorski at 864-316-3894 and tell him your donation amount. He will provide all of the details for the different ways that you can make your donation.
Thank you in advance for your support and please island residents don’t forget to get your donation matched dollar-for-dollar by making your donation now before the campaign ends at the end of March!
-Submitted by The 2021 Gorski Challenge Committee