Charleston Restaurants Seek Nationwide Help to Contribute to Emanuel AME

Charleston food and beverage establishments quickly lent a hand after the atrocious attack at Emanuel AME last Wednesday. As soon as that evening, restaurants and bars pledged proceeds to the Mother Emanuel Hope fund, and many, like Edmund's Oast and Proof, wrote large sum checks to assist the victims' families. Charleston Grill general manager Mickey Bakst wanted to help as well, so he is organizing a large-scale event with over 50 establishments in the area contributing to the evening.

On July 9, Bakst and a coalition of volunteers will host a charity dinner titled A Community United with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to the families of the nine victims. The goal is to sell 1,000 tickets at $200 a piece. The organization will also provide 250 tickets to the members of Emanuel A.M.E. The dinner will be hosted in the Belmond Charleston Place ballroom from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and tickets are available online.

However, charitable minds don't need to be in the Lowcountry to participate in A Community United. An online auction of artwork, wine packages, jewelry, vacations, and more will be up for bid starting July 3 and ending July 9. Anyone with a computer can participate in two ways: either register to bid or donate an item before July 3 by emailing organizers (all proceeds go directly to the families). Bakst and volunteers have been hard at work soliciting donations, and now they need your help to keep the momentum going.