Children’s Charities of the Midlands to Gift $140k to Local Children’s Programs

April 13, 2026
2026 CCM Check disbursement

Children’s Charities of the Midlands is proud to announce that, in conjunction with the
ChippenWhales Plunge Team & partners, their fundraising efforts for 2025 have raised $140,00,
demonstrating its commitment to supporting the community and aiding local children in need.
Funds are raised throughout the year during several events: the Lake Carolina Polar Plunge in
January, community 5k’s in each season, a corn hole tournament in the spring, a golf tournament
in the fall as well as the Lake Carolina Oyster Roast and Wine Tasting events. A bowling
tournament in July will be a new addition for the 2026 fundraising year.


“We are thrilled to have continued to increase our total amount of funds raised each year,” said
Gary Matthews, founding member of the ChippenWhales and charity volunteer CEO. “The
beneficiaries are all dedicated to helping children right here in the midlands, and we love
knowing the impact our donations make.” This year, three new beneficiaries will be added to the
list making it 21 non-profit beneficiary programs in total.
The donations will be presented on April 07, 2026, at 2:00 pm in the SC Statehouse with Lt
Governor Pamela Evette providing words of encouragement to all the people that dedicate their
lives in working these programs to help children in need.

This year’s recipients will include:

  • Prisma Health Midlands Foundation (Children’s Hospital Champion Society Program)
  • Family Connection of SC
  • Unumb Center for Neurodevelopment
  • Epworth Home
  • Limitless Purpose
  • JDRF
  • Ram Foundation
  • Family Promise
  • Victoria’s Place
  • Game Changers at Rivers Edge Retreat
  • Beta Chi Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma (Social Action & Scholarship Program)
  • Camp Discovery
  • Hydrocephalus Association of SC
  • SC Youth Advocate Program
  • Homeless No More
  • Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center
  • Screaming Eagles Special Needs Athletics
  • Camp Cole
  • Therapy Place
  • Communities in School
  • Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas.


Children’s Charities of the Midlands is a nonprofit organization founded in Lake Carolina
(Northeast Columbia) in 2000 that focuses on bettering the health, education, inclusiveness, and
general welfare of children in need. All proceeds fundraised at Children’s Charities of the
Midlands events benefit selected causes with no portion being withheld to fund
administrative costs of the organization. They are a 100% volunteer charitable
organization.