Rite Aid Foundation Supports Services for Abused Children in Charleston

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center (DNLCC) received a $5,000 challenge grant from The Rite Aid Foundation to support the delivery of critical services for abused children and their families in Charleston and surrounding areas. Rite Aid representatives Jignesh Patel, Lisa Bryant, Teadra McCall, Sonya Medlock, and Timothy Riederer presented the check for five thousand dollars on February 17, 2016 to Beverly Hutchison, Director of Development and Marketing, and Carole C. Swiecicki, Ph.D., Executive Director of DNLCC.

The $5,000 challenge grant came as a result of a challenge issued in October 2015 by The Rite Aid Foundation to all charities registered with their KidCents round-up program. The Rite Aid Foundation challenged all KidCents charities to increase the number of supporters who designate their charity to receive round-up change through the KidCents program. For those charities that earned a minimum of 10 new designations since the kick-off of the challenge, they not only earned new designations, but also a challenge grant from the Rite Aid Foundation. When the challenge ended in January 2016, 108 charities—including The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center—had received grants.

DNLCC provides critical services for healing at no cost to children or their families when there is a concern about abuse. These services include forensic interviews, mental health assessments, medical and therapy services, case coordination and advocacy. Dr. Swiecicki commented, “We are so appreciative of Rite-Aid and of our community’s generosity in ‘rounding up’ to support children who need their help. This support will be instrumental in providing services for child victims of abuse in Charleston.”

Rite Aid has long been committed to helping communities live well. The Rite Aid Foundation developed KidCents as a way to do even more to help the kids in the communities they serve. By participating in KidCents, loyalty card members can round up every purchase to the nearest dollar, giving kids in need a chance for better lives and brighter futures. Through the KidCents program, Rite Aid partners with nonprofit child-focused organizations in our local communities that are committed to helping improve the health and well-being of children.

DNLCC is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving victims of child abuse and neglect in the tri-county area. Its mission is to keep children safe from abuse and trauma, and when either occurs, to work with our community to bring healing to these children and their families. For more information about DNLCC, please visit www.dnlcc.org.