CreateAthon
CreateAthon was the brainchild of Teresa Coles, founder of RIGGS advertising agency in Columbia, South Carolina. What began in 1998 as a way for one group of creative professionals to give back has now grown into a global marathon that takes place every September. Numerous companies have joined the exclusive CreateAthon family, holding CreateAthon events in their cities around the globe. Collectively, CreateAthon agencies have benefited more than 1,275 nonprofit organizations with more than 3,100 projects exceeding $15 million in value. TRIO has the distinct privilege of being the official CreateAthon agency for the Lowcountry region of South Carolina.
So what is this creative marathon known as CreateAthon?
CreateAthon is a 24-hour, work-around-the-clock creative blitz during which TRIO provides marketing and creative services to Lowcountry nonprofit organizations on a pro-bono basis. Nonprofits apply during the summer months and are selected through a thoughtful process. The TRIO team puts a lot of time and energy into selecting each year's recipients. Typically, up to five nonprofits are granted one to two pro-bono projects. One nonprofit is selected by the community as the People's Choice. Nonprofits are notified in August and the TRIO team begins working closely on a game plan for CreateAthon. The event is always fulfilling for both the nonprofits and TRIO. It's amazing how creative one can be at 3 a.m.
CreateAthon 2012
Trio Solutions held its sixth annual CreateAthon event Thursday, September 20 to 8 a.m. on September 21, 2012. CreateAthon is a 24-hour, work-around-the-clock creative blitz during which the agency provides marketing and creative services to nonprofit organizations on a pro-bono basis. The agency produced 17 creative projects for the chosen organizations with an estimated marketing value of more than $30,000 in free marketing services. Read more about Trio's CreateAthon 2012
Past CreateAthon Recipients
Green Heart Project (Charleston)
Pairs volunteers from the Charleston Area with urban youth in an effort to teach the knowledge needed to build a sustainable future while instilling the virtues of hard work and success through building an urban garden together.
HALOS (Charleston)
Provides resources and special opportunities to abused and neglected children through partnerships with faith-based and other community organizations.
Healing Farms (Charleston)
An organization that makes available sustainable community-based day, respite and residential programs that embraces and empowers adults with developmental disabilities and their families.
Respite Care Charleston (Charleston)
A special group which provides social day programs, support groups for early stage Alzheimer's disease, and caregiver support groups for individuals and families affected by memory disorders.
Pairs volunteers from the Charleston Area with urban youth in an effort to teach the knowledge needed to build a sustainable future while instilling the virtues of hard work and success through building an urban garden together.
HALOS (Charleston)
Provides resources and special opportunities to abused and neglected children through partnerships with faith-based and other community organizations.
Healing Farms (Charleston)
An organization that makes available sustainable community-based day, respite and residential programs that embraces and empowers adults with developmental disabilities and their families.
Respite Care Charleston (Charleston)
A special group which provides social day programs, support groups for early stage Alzheimer's disease, and caregiver support groups for individuals and families affected by memory disorders.
Florence Crittenton Programs of South Carolina (Charleston)
Provides education, counseling services, medical care, social support, and a safe haven for young pregnant and parenting mothers in need
Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina (Charleston)
Creates and supports accepting and nurturing environments where girls can build character and skills for success in the real world
Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation (Charleston)
An organization with chapters around the world. Its mission is to help patients with blood cancers live better, longer lives.
Lowcountry Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy of South Carolina (LEAP) (Charleston)
A unique organization that combines psychological services with the love of horses to make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry children and adults who are experiencing emotional challenges.
Rural Mission (Johns Island)
Fosters many programs and services that improve the quality of life for Sea Island residents
Provides education, counseling services, medical care, social support, and a safe haven for young pregnant and parenting mothers in need
Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina (Charleston)
Creates and supports accepting and nurturing environments where girls can build character and skills for success in the real world
Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation (Charleston)
An organization with chapters around the world. Its mission is to help patients with blood cancers live better, longer lives.
Lowcountry Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy of South Carolina (LEAP) (Charleston)
A unique organization that combines psychological services with the love of horses to make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry children and adults who are experiencing emotional challenges.
Rural Mission (Johns Island)
Fosters many programs and services that improve the quality of life for Sea Island residents
Hobcaw Barony (Georgetown)
Preserves and manages 17,500 acres of land near Georgetown, South Carolina for educational and conservational purposes
Chamber Music Charleston (Charleston)
Develops an audience for classical music through chamber music concerts and educational performances of high artistic quality
East Cooper Meals on Wheels (Mount Pleasant)
Delivers daily nutrition to residents, who are homebound or unable to provide their own meals
Friendship Medical Clinic (Conway)
Provides basic, primary medical care and medications to low-income and underserved adults in Horry County who have no access to medical insurance
YMCA of Berkeley County (Moncks Corner)
Dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility through various activities that bring together youth, adults, and families from all backgrounds
Preserves and manages 17,500 acres of land near Georgetown, South Carolina for educational and conservational purposes
Chamber Music Charleston (Charleston)
Develops an audience for classical music through chamber music concerts and educational performances of high artistic quality
East Cooper Meals on Wheels (Mount Pleasant)
Delivers daily nutrition to residents, who are homebound or unable to provide their own meals
Friendship Medical Clinic (Conway)
Provides basic, primary medical care and medications to low-income and underserved adults in Horry County who have no access to medical insurance
YMCA of Berkeley County (Moncks Corner)
Dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility through various activities that bring together youth, adults, and families from all backgrounds
Charleston Area Children's Garden Project (Charleston)
Teaching at-risk youth the magic of the earth through gardening
Charleston Community Sailing (Charleston)
Exposing youths from all walks of life to the art and sport of sailing
The Good Neighbor Center (North Charleston)
Provides guidance and support for homeless Vietnam Vets
Liza's Lifeline of South Carolina Inc. (Charleston)
Spreading awareness and education about domestic violence
Palmetto Medical Initiative (Charleston)
Coordinates sustainable health care mission work around the globe
Teaching at-risk youth the magic of the earth through gardening
Charleston Community Sailing (Charleston)
Exposing youths from all walks of life to the art and sport of sailing
The Good Neighbor Center (North Charleston)
Provides guidance and support for homeless Vietnam Vets
Liza's Lifeline of South Carolina Inc. (Charleston)
Spreading awareness and education about domestic violence
Palmetto Medical Initiative (Charleston)
Coordinates sustainable health care mission work around the globe
Camp Good Times (Charleston)
A unqiue summer camp for children with autism
Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy (Charleston)
Provides pastoral care and counseling for employees and families of law enforcement and emergency service agencies, as well as the general public
Family Resource Center for Disabilities and Special Needs (Charleston)
Promotes opportunities for learning, inclusion, and empowerment for individuals with disabilities and special needs, their families, and their communities through such means as education, advocacy, and outreach
Fields to Families (Charleston)
Helps the hungry in our community gain access to nutritious fruits and vegetables
Lowcountry Environmental Education Programs (LEEP) (Charleston)
Provides opportunities for students of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to explore South Carolina's natural environment through experiential learning
A unqiue summer camp for children with autism
Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy (Charleston)
Provides pastoral care and counseling for employees and families of law enforcement and emergency service agencies, as well as the general public
Family Resource Center for Disabilities and Special Needs (Charleston)
Promotes opportunities for learning, inclusion, and empowerment for individuals with disabilities and special needs, their families, and their communities through such means as education, advocacy, and outreach
Fields to Families (Charleston)
Helps the hungry in our community gain access to nutritious fruits and vegetables
Lowcountry Environmental Education Programs (LEEP) (Charleston)
Provides opportunities for students of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to explore South Carolina's natural environment through experiential learning
Berkeley County Guardian Ad Litem Program (Moncks Corner)
A nonprofit organization that trains, recruits and supervises volunteers who are court-appointed to represent and advocate for the best interests of children involving allegations of abuse and neglect in Berkeley County.
Love Inc. (Charleston)
A Charleston-based nonprofit organization committed to helping the handicapped, the elderly, shut-ins and disabled people of the Lowcountry
Lowcountry Earth Force (Charleston)
Works with Lowcountry youth to turn their passion for the environment into long lasting change for their communities.
My Sister's House (North Charleston)
Provides services, programs and resources to empower domestic violence victims and their children to live free from abuse.
Teacher's Supply Closet (Charleston)
A Charleston County nonprofit with a goal to see that every child in Charleston County has the school supplies needed to succeed in school.
A nonprofit organization that trains, recruits and supervises volunteers who are court-appointed to represent and advocate for the best interests of children involving allegations of abuse and neglect in Berkeley County.
Love Inc. (Charleston)
A Charleston-based nonprofit organization committed to helping the handicapped, the elderly, shut-ins and disabled people of the Lowcountry
Lowcountry Earth Force (Charleston)
Works with Lowcountry youth to turn their passion for the environment into long lasting change for their communities.
My Sister's House (North Charleston)
Provides services, programs and resources to empower domestic violence victims and their children to live free from abuse.
Teacher's Supply Closet (Charleston)
A Charleston County nonprofit with a goal to see that every child in Charleston County has the school supplies needed to succeed in school.