--Participating customers have contributed $1.77 Million since the program’s inception--

 Hilton Head, S.C., December 13^th, 2011 – This holiday season numerous local charities across South Carolina are getting extra support from the Caring Coins Foundation, a non-profit entity founded in August 2003 and administered by Hargray Communications.  The foundation is pleased to announce that $69,000 was donated to 18 local charities across Beaufort and Jasper counties on Tuesday, December 13^th, 2011.

Since its inception 8 years ago, the Caring Coins Foundation has helped raise over $1.77 million thanks to generous contributions from participating Hargray customers that opt to round up their Hargray bills, donating the spare change to the foundation.

The non-profits, who were awarded funding as part of today’s event, and their respective award amounts, are:

• Bluffton historical Preservation Society - $2000
• Bluffton Jasper County Volunteers in Medicine - $9000
• Bluffton Self Help - $9000
• Boys & Girls Clubs – Bluffton Unit - $4000
• Community First, Inc., - $3000
• DAV & Elderly Assist for Life - $3000
• Friends of Caroline Hospice - $3000
• Hope Haven of the Lowcountry - $4000
• Jasper County Neighbors United - $4000
• Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry - $3000
• Lowcountry Food Bank - $1000
• Lowcountry Legal Volunteers - $5000
• Meals on Wheels - $5000
• Moss Creek Marines - $1000
• Neighborhood Outreach Connection - $1000
• Pregnancy Center of the Lowcountry - $3000
• Sandalwood Community Food Pantry - $2000
• Second Helpings - $9000

Eddie Andrews, Director of Marketing for Hargray,  was quoted as saying, “We’re all aware of the economy and the struggles that many Americans are enduring. Unfortunately, when times are tough, charitable giving is the first expense to be cut, so the fact that a record number of Hargray customers are participating in Caring Coins is inspiring. On behalf of Hargray, the Caring Coins board, and the receiving organizations, thank you!”

Andrews ended his comment with a heartfelt plea to Hargray customers. “I would like to personally reach out to our customers that are not yet enrolled in Caring Coins and ask them to consider participating. We need them more than ever. It is our goal to reach $2 million in total giving by the summer of 2012, and we can’t do that without the help of our community partners.” 

To contribute, Hargray customers may contact their local office to enroll in the program.  For an average of $6.00 each year – just $0.50 per month – participating customers are able to greatly impact the local community.  Those extra few cents, which add up quickly, are managed by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.  The Caring Coins board meets three times a year to determine award amounts to local charities.

About Caring Coins

The Caring Coins Foundation began in August 2003 with the express purpose of providing additional support for 501(c) 3 non-profit organizations.  Caring Coins has an independent board of directors from the Bluffton, Hilton Head and Hardeeville areas.  Participating customers of Hargray Communications contribute approximately $200,000 per year.  For more information, please call 341-COIN (2646) or visit CaringCoins.org.

About Hargray Communications

Headquartered in Hilton Head Island, S.C., Hargray is a state-of-the-art telecommunications and related services company for both residential and business customers. The company’s service offerings include traditional telephone and television services, as well as wireless services, High Speed Internet and cable and IP television. The company also has a telephone directory publishing operation. Hargray is owned by Quadrangle Group, a private investment firm focused on the media and communications industries. For more information, please visit hargray.com.