How ECCO’s New One-Stop Shop Helps Neighbors East of the Cooper
Release Date: 11/19/2025
Honoring 9/11 in the Lowcountry: 6th Annual Memorial Motorcycle Ride
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The 6th Annual Lowcountry 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride is coming to Mount Pleasant. Organized by Founder Gary Goldman and Vice Chair Haley Andringa, this powerful event brings motorcycle riders, patriots, and community members together to honor the lives lost and ensure we never forget. Starting and finishing at the Omar Shrine Temple, the police-escorted ride features classic rock from Better on Wine, food from Special Ops Catering and Blondies Bagels, drinks from Raising Cane's, and interactive displays, featuring KultureCity's mobile sensory trailer, "The Hive.". Proceeds from hats,...
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6th Annual Sportsman Banquet: Having Fun While Funding Free Medical Care
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Mark your calendars for August 1st! The 6th Annual Sportsman Banquet, hosted by the Omar Shriners, is returning to the Omar Shrine Center at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, SC. Host Brian Cleary sits down with Treasurer Kenny Skipper and Recorder Jim Gates to preview an all-inclusive night of premier dining, an open bar, and high-energy fun featuring live and silent auctions, games, and a 50/50 drawing. The prize lineup is staggering—ranging from high-end hunting trips and guided fishing tours to a fully prepared Beaufort Stew dinner for 20, and even a raffle for a live Boykin Spaniel...
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What happens when you combine environmental cleanup, competitive art, and community giving? On this episode of the Mount Pleasant Podcast, host Brian Cleary talks with Jim Haag, President and Director of The Beautification Transformation Project (TBT Project). Drawing on his background from the Savannah College of Art and Design, Jim launched this unique initiative after noticing heavy debris piling up along local corridors like Highway 17 and Rifle Range Road. At its core, TBT is about reimagining our relationship with the environment by turning "waste into wonder". Jim’s vision is to...
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Wild Birds Unlimited: Attracting and Enjoying Your Local Birds
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info_outlineECCO's One-Stop Shop: The Future of Community Outreach in East Cooper
In this important conversation, host Brian Cleary sits down with Stephanie Kelley, Executive Director of East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO), to discuss ECCO's mission and the incredible expansion of their main facility in Mount Pleasant, SC.
ECCO is a vital human services organization serving everyone who lives or works East of the Cooper River, a mission that started 36 years ago after Hurricane Hugo. Today, they continue to help the community navigate the "storms blowing through their lives every day."
The New One-Stop Shop: Simplified Help, Maximized Dignity
Stephanie Kelley explains the vision behind the newly renovated facility on Six Mile Road. Instead of opting for a costly new building, ECCO expanded the current main facility by almost 3,000 sq ft to achieve a crucial goal: bringing all core services together in one place.
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Consolidated Services: The Clothing Closet was moved back into the main building, and the medical and dental clinics were placed on the same side with a shared reception area.
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Grace and Dignity: The renovation creates a welcoming and streamlined environment, ensuring that neighbors in need only have one entrance to navigate to access services like food, clothing, financial assistance, and the medical/dental clinic.
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Improved Efficiency: This one-stop approach has significantly improved how ECCO provides help, making it easier for clients to access everything they need in a single, focused visit.
3 Ways to Engage with East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO)
While everything ECCO provides to its neighbors is free, the cost of services is real. Stephanie shares three powerful ways individuals and local businesses can partner with ECCO to give back:
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Volunteer: Give your time to support the clinics, clothing closet, or other services.
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Partnerships: Local businesses can form partnerships to support ECCO's ongoing mission.
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Giving Back: Financial contributions are essential to ensure services remain available to all in the community.
Find Help or Provide Help Today:
To find out if you qualify for assistance, or to learn more about volunteering and giving opportunities, please visit:
https://ECCOCharleston.org (Look for the "Get Help" or "Provide Help" sections on the homepage.)